For summaries from opinions prior to August, 2018, view PDF versions here.
In the Interest of A.W., Minor Child
J.M., Father-Appellant
K.W., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Steven L. Cooper
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Karmen R. Anderson
Attorney for Appellee State
Meredith L. Lamberti, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad litem
Yvonne Naanep
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Joseph W. Seidlin, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Doyle and Mullins, JJ. Opinion by Mullins, J. (12 pages)
A mother and father separately appeal the termination of their parental rights to A.W., born in March 2017. The father argues: (1) the State failed to present clear and convincing evidence of the grounds for termination, (2) termination is not in the child’s best interests, (3) statutory exceptions to termination apply, and (4) additional time for reunification should be granted. The mother challenges only the court’s denial of a six-month extension. OPINION HOLDS: We find by clear and convincing evidence the grounds for terminating the father’s rights, termination is in A.W.’s best interests, and no statutory exceptions to termination apply. We decline to grant either parent an extension and affirm the decision of the juvenile court to terminate the father’s and mother’s parental rights.
