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In the Interest of C.M., J.M., L.M., T.M., and Z.M., Minor Children
S.M., Mother-Appellant
M.M., Father-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Denise M. Gonyea
Attorney for Appellant Father
Fred Stiefel
Attorney for Appellee State
Tamara Knight, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Rebecca L. Petig
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Poweshiek County, Richelle Mahaffey, District Associate Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and Badding and Buller, JJ. Opinion by Badding, J. (9 pages)
Parents separately appeal the termination of their parental rights to five children under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(f) and (h) (2023). The mother argues termination was contrary to the children’s best interests, she is “bonded with the children,” and “[a]dditional time would have allowed [her] to obtain permanent housing and employment.” The father argues the lack of visitation-related services after the parents moved to Illinois shortly before the termination hearing constituted a failure to make reasonable efforts at reunification. OPINION HOLDS: We affirm the termination of the parents’ parental rights.
