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In the Interest of W.T., L.T., and L.T., Minor Children
L.T., Minor Child-Appellant
H.T., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Minor Child
Katie Mitchell
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Jeannette Keller
Attorney for Appellee State
Tamara Knight, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Sara Strain Linder
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Washington County, Daniel Kitchen, Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered by Bower, C.J., Greer, J., and Gamble, S.J. Opinion by Gamble, S.J. Special Concurrence by Greer, J. (13 pages)
A mother and child separately appeal the termination of the mother’s parental rights. OPINION HOLDS: Because the mother continues to pose a threat to the children’s long-term best interests, we affirm termination of her rights. SPECIAL CONCURRENCE ASSERTS: I write separately to emphasize the cracks in the safety system afforded to children like O.T., who find themselves in the child-in-need-of-assistance world. The stated goal of reunification of families is not realistic if the mental health of a child diagnosed with serious mental-health conditions is not addressed. We can do better, and we should do better.