In the Interest of K.R., Minor Child
K.C., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Heidi D. Van Winkle
Attorney for Appellee State
Tamara Knight, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Kyler Massner
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Des Moines County, Jennifer S. Bailey, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Tabor, C.J., and Ahlers and Sandy, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, C.J. (13 pages)
A mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to her two-year-old son. She contends the juvenile court erred in finding that the State proved the statutory grounds for termination, termination is in the child’s best interests, a statutory exception does not apply, an extension is unwarranted, and the State made reasonable efforts to reunite them. OPINION HOLDS: On our de novo review of the record, we find that despite substantial progress and demonstrated sobriety, the mother continues to display poor judgment when it comes to the company she keeps. She also continues to mislead service providers and the court about her contact with people who pose a risk of domestic violence and drug use. So despite two and half years of services, the mother is unable to care for her son safely. We affirm the decision of the juvenile court.