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Case No. 24-0218

For summaries from opinions prior to August, 2018, view PDF versions here

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:
24-0218
Date Published:
Jun 05, 2024
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.   

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