In the Interest of R.H., Minor Child
M.M., Mother-Appellant
L.R., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Deborah M. Skelton
Attorney for Appellant Father
Landon S. Small
Attorney for Appellee State
Ellen Ramsey-Kacena, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Geneva Williams
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Tama County, Casey D. Jones, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Mullins, P.J., May, J., and Vogel, S.J. Opinion by Vogel, S.J. (9 pages)
The mother and father of R.H. separately appeal the termination of their parental rights. OPINION HOLDS: Because the father has had no contact with R.H. since just after birth and failed to participate in reunification services, we affirm the termination of his parental rights. Regarding the mother, we find clear and convincing evidence supports the statutory grounds for termination, termination of her parental rights is in the child’s best interests, and a guardianship is not an appropriate alternative to termination.