Teens Abandoned Under Nebraska Safe Haven Law

A 16-year-old girl dropped off Sunday under Nebraska's flawed safe-haven law was a ward of the state of Arizona from August to October of 2008, Nebraska health officials state in a news release.

The girl's mother brought her to the Midlands Hospital in Papillion, Nebraska (pictured) on Sunday afternoon and legally abandoned her, according to the release.

From the release:

Based on information available so far, DHHS’ understanding is that in October, the Arizona court agreed to dismiss the case at the request of the mother, who desired to return to Nebraska to have more support from family and friends located here. The mother and daughter appear to have returned to Nebraska just last week.

State's Mistake Denies Father Rights To His Child

A Nebraska father said a mistake by the state denied him rights to his child. Michael Eggleston met his 5-year-old daughter for the first time two years ago. At first, Eggleston said he wasn't sure whether he was the father. A paternity test proved he was the child's father and he began paying child support. But he said his ex-girlfriend didn't want him to be a part of the child's life. Eggleston married another woman and backed off.