In the Interest of O.P., O.P., R.P., and L.P., Minor Children
J.P., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Jeremy M. Evans
Attorney for Appellee State
Ellen Ramsey-Kacena, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
M. Kathryn Miller
Attorney for Mother
Tara M. Elcock
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Warren County, Brendan Greiner, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Mullins, P.J., May, J., and Blane, S.J. Opinion by Blane, S.J. (5 pages)
A father appeals the termination of his parental rights to four children, arguing the State failed to make reasonable efforts to reunite him with his children by setting up phone calls with him in prison. OPINION HOLDS: The father’s requests and the State’s efforts were ultimately hindered by the father’s actions of making a late request on the day of the original termination hearing and later absconding from a prison release program. Finally, the father was moved to a new prison once he returned to incarceration, and the social worker was unable to set up phone calls before the new termination hearing date. Under those circumstances, we find the social worker acted reasonably and the State made reasonable efforts to provide the requested service.
