In the Interest of S.W., Minor Child
P.W., Father-Appellant
H.W., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Raya D. Dimitrova
Attorney for Appellant Mother
David Barajas
Attorney for Appellee State
Anagha Dixit, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad litem
Paul L. White
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Colin J. Witt, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Vogel, P.J., and Vaitheswaran and McDonald, JJ. Opinion by Vogel, P.J. (8 pages)
The father and mother separately appeal the termination of their parental rights to S.W., born in July 2015. The father argues the State failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that grounds for termination exist under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h) (2018). Both argue the district court should have granted a six-month extension and should have found termination was not in S.W.’s best interests. OPINION HOLDS: We find the State proved by clear and convincing evidence the grounds for termination of the father’s parental rights. Additionally, we find an additional six months would not extinguish the need for removal. Finally, termination is in S.W.’s best interests and any bond between the parents and child does not preclude termination.