Opinion ID: 2063236
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Trial court's refusal to order an interview of Tom Treece.

Text: On the day trial commenced, January 13, 1978, petitioner applied to trial court for a request that the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services interview Tom Treece. The stated purpose was to obtain information from Treece concerning Debra's purported refusal to take medication required for her diabetes when living in Dallas and of the reluctance of Debra's mother to assist her. He cited § 598.12, The Code, which permits the court to appoint an attorney to represent the interests of minor children, as authority for trial court's power to make such an order. This section is not applicable, as no attorney for the child had been appointed. In any event, whether to act under that statute is within the court's discretion. Boyes v. Boyes, 247 N.W.2d 265, 268 (Iowa 1976). Trial court's denial of the application was apparently based on the fact that the report would be hearsay. The court also expressed some doubt about its relevancy. But see In re Yardley, 260 Iowa 259, 266, 149 N.W.2d 162, 167 (1967) (limiting such reports to their probative value); Shepard v. Gerholdt, 244 Iowa 1343, 1349-50, 60 N.W.2d 547, 551 (1953) (to the same effect, but adding that such value is very slight). If any evidence Treece would have to offer was thought to be of critical importance to petitioner, the application should have been made in a more timely manner. Trial court acted within its discretion in denying the application. Our review of the entire record has revealed that trial court's resolution of this cause was correct. AFFIRMED.