In the Interest of K.S., Minor Child
W.S., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Nina Forcier
Attorney for Appellee State
John McCormally
Guardian ad litem
Timothy M. Baldwin
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County, Stephen C. Clarke, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Potterfield and Doyle, JJ. Opinion by Potterfield, J. (5 pages)
The mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to her child, K.S., born in 2017. The juvenile court terminated the mother’s parental rights pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(g), (h), and (l) (2018). On appeal, the mother claims there is not clear and convincing evidence to support the statutory grounds for termination, she should be given an additional six months to work toward reunification, termination is not in the child’s best interests, and the parent-child bond weighs against termination. OPINION HOLDS: We affirm the termination of the mother’s parental rights because K.S. could not be returned to the mother’s care at the time of the termination hearing, we cannot say the mother would be in a better position to care for K.S. if given a six-month extension, termination of the mother’s rights is in K.S.’s best interests, and no factor weighs against it.