Opinion ID: 1308939
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: cina.

Text: Section 232.116(1)(e)(4) requires proof that the child cannot be returned to the parent because the child remains a child in need of assistance as defined in section 232.2(6). See In re M.W., 458 N.W.2d 847, 850 (Iowa 1990); In re J.L.P., 449 N.W.2d 349, 351 (Iowa 1989); In re K.F., 437 N.W.2d 559, 562 (Iowa 1989). The juvenile court relied on four alternative definitions in its findings. Upon our de novo review of the record, we find clear and convincing evidence E.B.L. and H.B.L. would remain CINA if returned to the custody of their mother. It is likely E.B.L. and H.B.L. would be neglected if returned to their mother's custody. See Iowa Code § 232.2(6)(b). Both have been emotionally and physically harmed through the actions of their father and inaction of their mother and are fearful they will again be harmed. During supervised visits there was little interaction between E.B.L. and H.B.L. and their mother. E.B.L. is made the scapegoat by his mother and she attempts to turn the other children against him. See In re J.W.D., 456 N.W.2d 214, 217 (Iowa 1990) (every child deserves a safe, healthy and stimulating environment in which to grow and mature). Both children need treatment for mental and emotional problems that their mother is unable to provide. See Iowa Code § 232.2(6)(n); see also Iowa Code § 232.2(35) (definition of mental injury). E.B.L. was both sexually and physically abused by his father while in the presence of his mother. He has considerable emotional problems related to the past abuse. Prior to and after visits with his mother he has experienced stomachaches, headaches, nightmares, regressive behaviors, and disassociative behaviors. He has drawn a picture of himself killing his father and has verbalized thoughts of killing his mother. He attends special education classes with his greatest deficits in language and reading. He also has considerable attention and concentration problems. At times he is immature. H.B.L. exhibits the symptoms of a child who has been sexually abused. Following visits with her mother she becomes hyperactive and clingy. She also has deficits in language and reading for which she receives special assistance at school. She has emotional needs related to her past abuse. She may be even more at risk than E.B.L., because she is hiding it and closing it in and not dealing with her problems. She has escaped, temporarily, to a fantasy world where she is a princess and she can make everything all right. Due to the mother's mental capacity and condition, placement of E.B.L. and H.B.L. with her would likely result in the children not receiving adequate care. See Iowa Code § 232.2(6)(n). She is a person who needs very concrete direction; she struggles with less tangible and emotional items. She comes from a very dysfunctional family and has been diagnosed as suffering from posttraumatic stress related to the physical, emotional and sexual abuse she suffered as a child and later as an adult. Due to her special needs she is not gainfully employed and her sources of income are limited to ADC and social security disability. She tends to isolate herself and her children from the community due to difficulties in social interaction. When her oldest two daughters were returned to her custody, she experienced problems due to the oldest's propensity to parent the family. She has, however, overcome the problems and has been able to care for her two oldest children, who requested to be reunited with their mother, and her youngest child. See In re A.M.S., 419 N.W.2d 723, 734 (Iowa 1988). Unfortunately, this does not mean she could also handle E.B.L. and H.B.L. See In re I.L.G.R., 433 N.W.2d 681, 691 (Iowa 1988). Under these conditions, returning E.B.L. and H.B.L., special needs children who do not want to live with their mother, could jeopardize not only them, but also the three children already in the home.