The case includes a custody dispute alongside the criminal charge. Court filings described by KLTV say the state is seeking to remove the infant from Kayleigh Lowe’s custody. The child’s father, Cooper Miller, said he expected to learn more about his custody bid during the week of Oct. 5, the outlet reported.
How Nebraska reviews protective custody
In general, the Nebraska Judicial Branch says that when a child is removed, the initial hearing is a Protective Custody Hearing, typically held at the same time as a First Appearance. Later hearings may include adjudication, disposition and review. This general process does not establish the status of this family’s case.
Lowe, 20, faces a Lancaster County charge of child abuse resulting in injury, according to nebraska.tv. She was arrested Oct. 1, arraigned the next day and given a $1 million bond; her next court date was set for 10 a.m. Nov. 5, the outlet reported.
Court records allege Lowe struck the infant’s head against the floor, tossed her into the air and squeezed her ribs, according to 10/11 NOW. Police said the girl had seven broken ribs and bleeding on both sides of her brain. She was taken to a Lincoln hospital and transferred to Children’s Hospital in Omaha on Sept. 13, the station reported.
The arrest affidavit, as described by KLTV, says Lowe searched for “shaken baby syndrome” on her phone Sept. 2. Police also reported that she brought the infant to an emergency room Sept. 10 and left against medical advice.
A Children’s Hospital doctor told police the infant had permanent brain injuries, according to 10/11 NOW. Miller told that station and KLTV that fluid in her brain posed a risk to her eyesight.
Miller said the infant’s longer-term outlook remained uncertain. He told the outlets that doctors would assess whether she should receive rehabilitation and that he expected more information about her prognosis by the end of October.
What Nebraska’s child-abuse data show
Nebraska DHHS recorded 37,346 reports in 2024, including 34,725 Child Abuse & Neglect reports. Of those, 23,581 (63%) were screened out and 13,765 (37%) were accepted for assessment, according to the department’s annual data report. These are report counts, not counts of substantiated cases; acceptance for assessment does not establish the outcome of an individual case.
