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In the Interest of J.O., Minor Child
D.O., Father-Appellant
N.P., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
Michael J. Moeller
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Jane M. Wright
Attorney for Appellee State
Ellen Ramsey-Kacena, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
David A. Grooters
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County, Adam D. Sauer, District Associate Judge. MOTHER’S APPEAL AFFIRMED; FATHER’S APPEAL REVERSED AND REMANDED. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and Greer and Badding, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, P.J. (10 pages)
Nichole and David separately appeal the termination of their parental rights to a three-year-old son. Both allege that severing their legal relationship with their son is not in his best interests and ask us to reverse claiming he is in the legal custody of his maternal grandmother. In the alternative, both parents ask for more time for reunification. Nichole asks us to consider placing the child in a guardianship with her mother. OPINION HOLDS: We reach different results for each parent. We affirm termination of Nichole’s parental rights. But we find delaying permanency for six months would provide enough time for David to meet expected behavioral changes that would eliminate the need for the child’s removal. We reverse and remand as to David.