For summaries from opinions prior to August, 2018, view PDF versions here.
In the Interest of E.H. and K.H., Minor Children
S.D., Mother-Appellant
K.H., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
David G. Baumgartner
Attorney for Appellant Father
Robert W. Winterton
Attorney for Appellee State
Meredith L. Lamberti, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Kristin R. Schiller Herman
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Winneshiek County, Linnea M.N. Nicol, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Doyle, P.J., and Mullins and May, JJ. Opinion by May, J. (10 pages)
A mother and father separately appeal the termination of their respective parental rights. OPINION HOLDS: The State established the statutory grounds authorizing termination, and DHS made reasonable efforts toward reunification. Termination is in the children’s best interests. We decline to apply Iowa Code section 232.116(3)(c) (2020) to preclude termination. The parents are not entitled to additional time to work toward reunification. Establishment of a guardianship with the paternal grandparents was not in the children’s best interests. The father does not have standing on post-termination placement issues.
