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Case No. 25-1408

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

In the Interest of B.M., Minor Child

B.M. Sr., Father-Appellant,

J.S., Mother-Appellant.

Attorney for Appellant Father

B.M. Sr., self-represented

Attorney for Appellant Mother

Lynn Vogan

Attorney for Appellee State

Mackenzie L. Moran, Assistant Attorney General

Guardian ad Litem

Teresa Pope

Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals Opinion

Opinion Number:
25-1408
Date Published:
Feb 11, 2026
Summary

            Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, The Honorable Kimberly Ayotte, Judge. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS. Considered without oral argument by Tabor, C.J., and Badding and Langholz, JJ. Opinion by Langholz, J. (8 pages)

            A mother and father separately appeal the termination of their parental rights to their son. The mother argues that termination of her parental rights is not in the son’s best interest. In his petition on appeal and many other appellate motions, the father challenges jurisdiction and generally assails the legitimacy of both the child-in-need-of-assistance and termination proceedings. OPINION HOLDS: On our de novo review, we affirm both terminations. We will not delay permanency for the son while the mother travels the long road of imprisonment and recovery. As for the father, we have carefully reviewed the record and find no jurisdictional, statutory, or evidentiary errors that require reversal. And we agree that the State proved that termination was warranted and in the son’s best interest.

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