Opinion ID: 1840805
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence to Support the Juvenile Court's Findings.

Text: Art contends that the Iowa child abuse investigators erred in believing the mother's version of the parents' relationship and that the juvenile court improperly relied on those conclusions. We find, however, that the record does support, based on clear and convincing evidence, the juvenile court's finding that Art had been physically and emotionally abusive to the mother in the presence of Noah and Elijah. This was, we believe, to a high degree of probability, a source of potential harm to their well-being. The child abuse investigator documented the mother's descriptions of his slapping, kicking, pushing, spitting, and throwing things at her and repeatedly making degrading comments about her in the children's presence. It is apparent from the record that, subsequent to the parties' separation, Art has used his visitation contacts as an opportunity to influence the children adversely toward their mother and has acted in a controlling, intimidating manner. The children had seen a psychologist on approximately five occasions, and although they were found not to be suffering from a mental injury or illness, the psychologist expressed concern about their future mental health given the current parental relationship. The psychologist recommended that the father's visits be supervised. Family circumstances marked with instability have been recognized as sufficient cause to adjudicate the children of that family in need of assistance. In re M.H., 444 N.W.2d 110, 111 (Iowa App.1989). Because the parties were present in this state, it was not only an option but the duty of the Iowa juvenile court to take such action as was necessary in this regard to prevent harm to these minor children.