In the Interest of M.D., Minor Child
W.D., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Annette F. Martin
Attorney for Appellee State
Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Kathryn E. Davis
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., Mullins, J., and Carr, S.J. Opinion by Carr, S.J. (4 pages)
A mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to her child. OPINION HOLDS: Clear and convincing evidence shows the child cannot be returned to the mother’s custody without exposing the child to the threat of probable harm based on the mother’s continued substance use. Termination is in the child’s best interests, and nothing in the record supports a finding that the child is so bonded with the mother that terminating her parental rights would be detrimental to the child. Because nothing in the record indicates the need for removal would be eliminated if the mother were granted additional time, we affirm the termination of her parental rights.