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In the Interest of J.A., Minor Child
J.J., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Father
J. David Zimmerman
Attorney for Appellee State
Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Barbara E. Maness
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Clinton County, Kimberly K. Shepherd, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN PART. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and Greer and Ahlers, JJ. Opinion by Greer, J. (11 pages)
J.A. is a seven-year-old child with severe asthma. Following his parents’ unilateral decision to reduce his daily medicine, J.A. suffered a near-fatal asthma attack in June 2021. This led to J.A.’s intubation and hospitalization, and the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) became involved with the family. Until court ordered, the parents resisted working with DHS or providing signed releases for J.A.’s medical information. Under these circumstances, the court adjudicated J.A. a child in need of assistance (CINA) pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.2(6)(b), (c)(1), (c)(2), and (e) (2021). The father appeals each of the adjudicatory grounds. OPINION HOLDS: We affirm the adjudication of J.A. as a CINA under Iowa Code section 232.2(6)(b), (c)(2) and (e). We reverse the adjudication under section Iowa Code section 232.2(6)(c)(1).