In the Interest of S.I., Minor Child
B.I., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
David Barajas
Attorney for Appellee State
Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad litem
Lynn Vogan
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Joseph Seidlin, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Potterfield, P.J., and Tabor and Bower, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, J. (5 pages)
A mother appeals from an order terminating her parental rights to one child. She contends the juvenile court abused its discretion in denying her motion to continue when the court continued the first of two days of hearing for inclement weather and the mother failed to appear on the second day. OPINION HOLDS: We find the district court did not abuse its discretion. There was no communication from the mother as to her whereabouts, and the best interests of the child demanded permanency. The mother had not made a significant effort to address the substance abuse issues that led to the initial removal. Under those circumstances, we find no abuse of discretion.