In the Interest of N.H., Minor Child
J.M., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Michael M. Lindeman
Attorney for Appellee State
Anna T. Stoeffler (until withdrawal) and Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorneys General
Guardian ad Litem
Kimberly Opatz
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Linn County, Cynthia S. Finley, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and Mullins and May, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, P.J. (8 pages)
A father appeals the termination of his parental rights to one child. OPINION HOLDS: Because the father has borderline intellectual functioning and cannot demonstrate an ability to care for the child, who has significant medical and cognitive impairments, the State showed she cannot be returned to the father at the present time, satisfying the statutory grounds. It is in the child’s best interests to terminate the father’s parental rights and free her for adoption. There is insufficient evidence of a bond to show terminating the relationship would be detrimental to her. Finally, there is no evidence warranting an extension of time for the father. We affirm.
