In the Interest of J.K. and S.K., Minor Children
E.K., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Theresa Rachel
Attorney for Appellee State
Anagha Dixit, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad litem
Lesley D. Rynell
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Cherokee County, Mary L. Timko, Associate Juvenile Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Doyle and Mullins, JJ. Opinion by Mullins, J. (10 pages)
A mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to her two minor children, born in 2007 and 2011. She argues: (1) the State failed to prove the statutory grounds for termination by clear and convincing evidence, (2) termination is not in the best interests of the children, (3) the juvenile court should have applied the statutory exception to termination contained in Iowa Code section 232.116(3)(c) (2018), and (4) the court erred in declining to grant her a six-month extension to work toward reunification. OPINION HOLDS: We conclude the State presented sufficient evidence to support termination, termination is in the best interests of the children, the application of an exception to termination is unwarranted, and the mother is not entitled to an extension. We affirm the juvenile court order terminating the mother’s parental rights.
