In the Interest of B.P., Minor Child
K.D., Mother-Appellant
J.M., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Michael Lanigan
Attorney for Appellant Father
Joseph G. Martin
Attorney for Appellee State
Kathryn K. Lang, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad litem
Mark Milder
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County, Daniel L. Block, Associate Juvenile Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Doyle and Tabor, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, J. (7 pages)
A mother and father separately appeal the order terminating their parental rights to one child. The mother contends there was not clear and convincing evidence to support the statutory grounds for termination. Both parents assert the court should have established a guardianship in the child’s current placement rather than terminate their rights. OPINION HOLDS: The mother has waived the statutory-grounds argument by not citing the ground she challenges. But even if she had not waived her challenge, we find termination appropriate under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(f) (2018). Further, a guardianship is not in the child’s best interests. We affirm termination as to both appeals.