In the Interest of L.M., Minor Child
S.M., Father-Appellant
A.T., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Jonathan Willier
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Julie De Vries
Attorney for Appellee State
Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Sam K. Erhardt
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Wapello County, William Owens, Associate Juvenile Judge. MOTHER'S APPEAL AFFIRMED; FATHER'S APPEAL REVERSED AND REMANDED. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and Greer and Ahlers, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, P.J. Partial Dissent by Ahlers, J. (20 pages)
April and Stephen appeal the termination of their parental rights. OPINION HOLDS: The State established grounds for terminating April’s parental rights. Termination is in L.M.’s best interests, outweighing April’s requests for termination exceptions or additional time. As for Stephen, he agreed a ground for termination was met. But given his substantial progress since removal, additional time for reunification is appropriate. We affirm as to April but reverse and remand for Stephen. PARTIAL DISSENT ASSERTS: I concur in the decision to affirm termination of the mother’s parental rights. As to the majority’s decision to reverse termination of the father’s parental rights and provide him with additional time for reunification, I dissent because of the father’s lack of a track record of parenting and the relevant time horizon.
