In the Interest of S.C. and S.C., Minor Children
S.P., Mother-Appellant
C.C., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Jeremy M. Evans
Attorney for Appellant Father
Cole J. Mayer
Attorney for Appellee State
Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Kayla A. Stratton
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Kimberly Ayotte, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by May, P.J., and Greer and Schumacher, JJ. Opinion by Greer, J. (14 pages)
The mother of two children, born in 2016 and 2018, appeals the termination of her parental rights. The father of the older child separately appeals the termination of his parental rights. The mother and father each claim the State failed to prove grounds for termination under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h) (2020) and argue termination of their rights is not in the best interests of their respective child or children. Because of their strong bond, the father also contends a statutory exception should be applied to save the parent-child relationship. Alternatively, the father requests another six months as an alternative to termination or that the guardianship and custody of the child be transferred to the paternal grandfather in Colorado. OPINION HOLDS: We affirm the termination of both parents’ parental rights.
