In the Interest of J.M., Minor Child
S.M., Mother-Appellant
C.B., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Taryn R. McCarthy
Attorney for Appellant Father
Kathryn A. Duccini
Attorney for Appellee State
Tamara Knight, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Kristy L. Hefel
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County, Thomas J. Straka, Associate Juvenile Judge. AFFIRMED ON MOTHER’S APPEAL; REVERSED AND REMANDED ON FATHER’S APPEAL. Considered by Tabor, P.J., Buller, J., and Blane, S.J. Opinion by Blane, S.J. Partial Dissent by Buller, J. (13 pages)
A mother and father separately appeal the termination of their parental rights. Both argue for extensions and that it was not in the child’s best interests to terminate their rights. The mother also claims her bond with the child should preclude termination. OPINION HOLDS: We find no grounds to reverse termination as to the mother. But we find the father should receive another six months to work toward reunification with the child. PARTIAL DISSENT ASSERTS: Because I do not find a sufficient basis to reverse the juvenile court’s denial of the father’s request for a six-month extension, I dissent from that portion of the majority opinion.
