In the Interest of S.G., Minor Child
M.G., Father-Appellant
P.G., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Raya D. Dimitrova
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Sarah E. Dewein
Attorney for Appellee State
Anna T. Stoeffler, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad litem
ConGarry D. Williams
Attorney for Minor Child
Cathleen J. Siebrecht
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Susan Cox, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Doyle and Tabor, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, J. (10 pages)
A mother, Patricia, and father, Michael, separately appeal the termination of parental rights to their daughter, S.G. Patricia challenges the statutory basis for termination, claims termination is not in S.G.’s best interests, and asserts termination will be detrimental to S.G. because of their close bond. Michael also contests the statutory ground for termination and, alternatively, seeks additional time to obtain a psychosexual evaluation and work on his mental-health issues. OPINION HOLDS: We agree with the juvenile court’s conclusion the State proved termination of both Patricia and Michael’s parental rights is warranted under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(f) (2019). And we do not believe termination of Patricia’s rights is counter to S.G.’s best interests, nor do we believe Patricia’s close bond with S.G. weighs against termination. Finally, we do not think Michael is entitled to a six-month delay of S.G.’s placement. Accordingly, we affirm on both appeals.
