public function removeChildAt($index)
	{
		$node = $this->getChildAt($index);
		
		// re-wire new node and remove
		$node->node_parent = null;
		$node->node_childIndex = null;
		array_splice($this->node_children, $index, 1);
		
		// update following child indices
		for ($i = $index; $i < count($this->node_children); $i ++) {
			$this->node_children[$i]->node_childIndex = $i;
		}
		
		return $node;
	}