Filed Aug 01, 2018
View Opinion No. 18-0961
View Summary for Case No. 18-0961
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Warren County, Kevin A. Parker, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Vogel and Tabor, JJ. Opinion by Vogel, J. (9 pages)
A mother and father separately appeal the termination of their parental rights. OPINION HOLDS: Because Iowa is R.E.’s “home state,” the district court had jurisdiction over termination proceedings. Also, because of each parent’s individual pending criminal proceedings and lack of participation in visitation or other offered services, R.E. could not be returned at the time of the termination hearing. Further, termination was in the child’s best interests, no factors precluded termination, the DHS made reasonable efforts towards reunification, and a six-month extension was not warranted for either parent.
Filed Aug 01, 2018
View Opinion No. 18-1000
View Summary for Case No. 18-1000
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Jasper County, Steven J. Holwerda, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Doyle and Mullins, JJ. Opinion by Vaitheswaran, P.J. (5 pages)
A father appeals a permanency order transferring guardianship and custody of his child to her maternal aunt. He contends (1) the child should have been placed with him during the child-in-need-of-assistance proceedings and (2) the district court erred in ordering a guardianship with the aunt. OPINION HOLDS: We affirm the district court’s refusal to transfer the child to the father’s custody during the proceedings as well as the court’s transfer of guardianship and custody to the maternal aunt following the permanency hearing.
Filed Aug 01, 2018
View Opinion No. 18-1017
View Summary for Case No. 18-1017
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Plymouth County, Robert J. Dull, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Potterfield, P.J., and Bower and McDonald, JJ. Opinion by McDonald, J. (9 pages)
Alicia and Andrew appeal the termination of their parental rights in their two children. Alicia also appeals the termination of her parental rights in two additional children. OPINION HOLDS: The children cannot be returned to Alicia’s care due to her persistent drug use and lack of home or employment. Her parent-child bond with the children is not so strong as to preclude termination, and an additional six months to work toward reunification is unlikely to resolve Alicia’s parenting issues. Andrew’s children cannot be returned to him due to his substance abuse and incarceration.
Filed Aug 01, 2018
View Opinion No. 18-1030
View Summary for Case No. 18-1030
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Rachael E. Seymour, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Vogel and Tabor, JJ. Opinion by Vogel, J. (6 pages)
A mother and father separately appeal the termination of their parental rights to their son, P.W., born April 2017. OPINION HOLDS: Because of the parents’ lack of participation in offered services, P.W. could not be returned at the time of the termination hearing. Also, termination was in the child’s best interests and no factors precluded termination.