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In the Interest of W.H. and G.H., Minor Children
S.H., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Christopher A. Clausen
Attorney for Appellee State
Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Shannon M. Leighty
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Story County, Stephen A. Owen, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and Mullins and May, JJ. Opinion by May, J. Special concurrence by Tabor, P.J. (9 pages)
A father appeals the juvenile court’s termination of his parental rights. OPINION HOLDS: We conclude termination was appropriate under Iowa law and was in the children’s best interests. We affirm. SPECIAL CONCURRENCE ASSERTS: Although I agree the evidence supports termination, I write separately to emphasize the role courts play in overseeing the State’s reasonable efforts to reunify families. Scholars have persuasively argued such efforts require culturally competent services. African-American children are disproportionately overrepresented in child welfare and foster care systems, and courts can take greater consideration of ethnic and cultural contacts in considering the child’s best interests. But I agree the father’s appeal issues do not put that question squarely before us.
