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Case No. 21-1943

In the Interest of E.W. and J.F., Minor Children

E.W., Minor Child-Appellant

Dusty Lea Clements, Guardian ad Litem-Appellant

S.F., Mother-Appellant

Attorney for Appellant Minor Child

Allison M. Udelhoven

Guardian ad Litem-Appellant

Dusty Lea Clements

Attorney for Appellant Mother

Deborah L. Johnson

Attorney for Appellee State

Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney General

Guardian ad Litem for E.W. and J.F. and Attorney for J.F.

Dusty Lea Clements

Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals Opinion

Opinion Number:
21-1943
Date Published:
Mar 02, 2022
Summary

            Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Jasper County, Steven J. Holwerda, District Associate Judge.  AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS.   Considered by May, P.J., and Schumacher and Badding, JJ.  Opinion by Schumacher, J.  (14 pages)

            A mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to two children.  She claims termination is not in their best interest and that the court should have declined to terminate her rights based on permissive exceptions.  E.W., a minor child, contends termination is not in her best interest, a permissive exception should be applied, and the district court improperly excluded her from a portion of the termination hearing.  The guardian ad litem for E.W. also appeals, contending termination is not the least restrictive option available.  OPINION HOLDS: We find termination was in the children’s best interest and the permissive exceptions are insufficient to preclude termination in this case.  Finally, E.W.’s claim is not properly before our review.  We affirm.

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