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In the Interest of D.M., Minor Child
V.R., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Stephanie A. Sailer
Attorney for Appellee State
Kathryn K. Lang, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad litem
Melissa A. Anderson-Seeber
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County, David F. Staudt, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Potterfield and Doyle, JJ. Opinion by Potterfield, J. (7 pages)
The juvenile court terminated the mother’s parental rights to D.M.—born in October 2016—pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(g) and (h) (2018). On appeal, the mother maintains there is not clear and convincing evidence to support the statutory grounds for termination and termination of her parental rights is not in D.M.’s best interests. OPINION HOLDS: The mother’s reengagement with services shortly before the termination hearing is insufficient to demonstrate she is willing and able to work toward correcting the situation, and we cannot say that any additional time would enable the mother to achieve a different result. Thus, there is clear and convincing evidence to support termination of the mother’s parental rights under section 232.116(1)(g). Because termination of the mother’s parental rights is also in D.M.’s best interests, we affirm.
