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In the Interest of L.H., Minor Child
R.H., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Jean Capdevila
Attorney for Appellee State
Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Rebecca G. Ruggero
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Scott County, Christine Dalton, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and Mullins and May, JJ. Opinion by Mullins, J. (6 pages)
A father appeals a dispositional-review order in a child-in-need-of-assistance proceeding. The father argues the court erred in finding the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) made reasonable efforts toward reunification and in failing to change the child’s placement. OPINION HOLDS: Our de novo review of the record reveals the father’s failure to timely comply with substance-abuse and psychological evaluations justifies the district court’s refusal to order more in-home visitation. Clear and convincing evidence supports the district court’s finding DHS made reasonable efforts. Furthermore, we agree with the juvenile court’s denial of the motion for change of placement, favoring the child’s placement in an appropriate long-term placement until the child can be returned to a parental home.
