Nebraska told to reunite mom, kids

LINCOLN - A Guatemalan woman who was deported should not lose her parental rights and should be reunited with her children, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled today.

The court said the state had not proven that the woman, identified only as Maria L., was an unfit parent. It said she should have the right to raise her children in her own culture and with their two older brothers.

"That the foster parents in this country might provide a higher standard of living does not defeat that right," the court said.

The two children, identified as Angelica L, now 5, and Daniel L., now 11, were removed after a child protection worker alleged that their mother was not providing proper medical care for the girl. The family lived in Grand Island at the time.

Maria, who was in the country illegally, was arrested and deported after her children were removed. She was not allowed to talk her children with her.

- Martha Soddard