In the Interest of K.B.-S. and J.B., Minor Children
L.B., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Deborah M. Skelton
Attorney for Appellee State
Mackenzie Moran, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Annette F. Martin
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Linn County, Cynthia S. Finley, District Associate Judge. REVERSED. Considered by Badding, P.J., Buller, J., and Potterfield, S.J. Opinion by Potterfield, S.J. Dissent by Buller, J. (14 pages)
The mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to two of her children, K.B.-S. (born in 2016) and J.B. (born in 2019). She argues the State failed to prove the statutory grounds for termination and the loss of her rights is not in the children’s best interests due to the parent-child bonds. In the alternative, she requests more time to work toward reunification. OPINION HOLDS: At the conclusion of the termination trial, the mother had not tested positive for cocaine or methamphetamine in more than six months and her mental health was stable for more than a year. We reverse the termination of the mother’s parental rights and grant her six more months to work toward reunification. DISSENT ASSERTS: In granting the mother additional time, I believe the majority opinion decides an issue that was not presented, litigated, or preserved.
