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In the Interest of K.R., Minor Child
A.T., Mother-Appellant
Attorney for Appellant Mother
Jean Capdevila
Attorney for Appellee State
Mackenzie Moran, Assistant Attorney General
Guardian ad Litem
Barbara Maness
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Scott County, Korie Talkington, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Badding, P.J., Chicchelly, J., and Potterfield, S.J. Opinion by Potterfield, S.J. (7 pages)
The juvenile court terminated the mother’s parental rights to K.R., born in 2014, pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(d), (e), (f), and (i) (2024). The mother appeals, challenging the statutory grounds for termination and whether the loss of her rights is in K.R.’s best interests. OPINION HOLDS: Without an approved home study of the shelter where the mother was living in Florida, the juvenile court could not return custody of K.R. to the mother at the time of the termination trial. The statutory ground for termination under section 232.116(1)(f) was proved. And because the mother and K.R. have had no in-person contact in seven years and K.R. has a heightened need for a safe, stable home, termination of the mother’s rights is in his best interest.
