Court Opinion

ID: 4392766
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-05-01 17:04:17.020374+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:32:01.537566
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                  No. 19-0233
                               Filed May 1, 2019

IN THE INTEREST OF B.P.,
Minor Child,

K.D., Mother,
       Appellant,

J.M., Father,
       Appellant.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County, Daniel L. Block,

Associate Juvenile Judge.

      A father and mother appeal separately from the juvenile court order

terminating their parental rights. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS.

      Michael Lanigan, Waterloo, for appellant mother.

      Joseph G. Martin, Cedar Falls, for appellant father.

      Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Kathryn K. Lang, Assistant

Attorney General, for appellee State.

      Mark Milder, Waverly, guardian ad litem for minor child.

      Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Doyle and Tabor, JJ.
                                            2

TABOR, Judge.

       A father, James, and a mother, Karmen, separately appeal the termination

of their parental rights to their eight-year-old child, B.P. They both contend rather

than terminating their rights, the juvenile court should have established a

guardianship with B.P.’s current placement, his maternal aunt. Karmen further

contends the State did not offer clear and convincing evidence she was “unable to

care for the child.” After an independent review,1 we reach the same conclusions

as the juvenile court: terminating parental rights is proper and establishing a

guardianship is not the preferred outcome for B.P.

I.     Facts and Prior Proceedings

       B.P. came to the attention of the Iowa Department of Human Services

(DHS) three years ago because of Karmen’s methamphetamine use and the

domestic violence he witnessed in his home. At that time, B.P. lived with his

mother, Karmen; his stepfather, David; and his older half-sister, T.D. The juvenile

court approved removal of both children in April 2016.

       B.P.’s biological father, James, has had only sporadic contact with him since

his birth in 2011. James has not seen B.P. since February 2016. James also has

a significant history of substance abuse and a lengthy criminal record, including

convictions for domestic-abuse assault.

1
  We review termination-of-parental-rights cases de novo. In re M.W., 876 N.W.2d 212,
219 (Iowa 2016). Although we are not bound by the juvenile court’s fact findings, we give
them weight, particularly on credibility issues. Id. Evidence must be clear and convincing
to support the termination. In re A.M., 843 N.W.2d 100, 110–11 (Iowa 2014). Evidence
is clear and convincing when there are no serious or significant doubts as to the
correctness of conclusions of law drawn from the evidence. In re C.B., 611 N.W.2d 489,
492 (Iowa 2000). The child’s best interests are our primary concern. In re L.T., 924
N.W.2d 521, 529 (Iowa 2019).
                                         3

      Following DHS intervention, James and Karmen failed to comply with the

court’s expectations regarding their substance-abuse testing and treatment.

Karmen missed or refused many drug tests. James did not have stable housing

or employment and was incarcerated for thirteen months during these

proceedings. At the termination hearing, the DHS worker testified B.P. has little or

no bond with James. The DHS worker also testified B.P. displays concerning

behavioral issues—including excessive aggression—attributable to the instability

of his parents and home life.

      Early in the child-in-need-of-assistance (CINA) proceedings, the DHS

placed B.P. and T.D. with David. But the court ordered B.P.’s removal from that

home due to domestic violence. After a short stint with a foster family, B.P. was

placed in the care of his maternal aunt, Brandy, who lives in South Carolina. T.D.—

who is three years older than B.P.—remained in Iowa.       The siblings’ separation

has been difficult for both children as they share a strong bond. They have stayed

in touch by “FaceTime” and phone calls.

      By the time of the termination hearing, B.P. had lived with Brandy in South

Carolina for one year. The aunt, who wishes to adopt B.P., reported he was

thriving but still anxious about where he would live permanently.

      The court terminated both James’s and Karmen’s parental rights. They

appeal.

II.   Analysis

      A. Mother’s Contention—Statutory Ground

      Karmen raises two claims: (1) the State did not prove the statutory grounds

for termination; and (2) the court did not consider whether a guardianship was in
                                           4

B.P.’s best interests. As James raises the same guardianship issue, we will

address it below.2

       The juvenile court terminated Karmen’s parental rights based on Iowa Code

section 232.116(1), paragraphs (e), (f), and (l). When the court relies on more than

one statutory ground, we may affirm on any ground supported by the record. In re

A.B., 815 N.W.2d 764, 774 (Iowa 2012). Karmen argues the State did not prove

by clear and convincing evidence “she was unable to care for the child.” Trouble

is, this language does not appear in section 232.116(1). When a parent does not

refer to the specific statutory ground being challenged, we are unable to address

the claim on appeal. See, e.g., In re L.M., 904 N.W.2d 835, 839 n.7 (Iowa 2017);

M.W., 876 N.W.2d at 222; In re P.L., 778 N.W.2d 33, 40 (Iowa 2010); C.B., 611

N.W.2d at 492; In re J.B.L., 844 N.W.2d 703, 704 (Iowa Ct. App. 2014); In re S.R.,

600 N.W.2d 63, 64 (Iowa Ct. App. 1999). By not identifying a specific statutory

ground, Karmen has waived her sufficiency challenge.

       And if waiver was not an impediment, we would affirm the termination under

paragraph (f): B.P. is older than four years of age; has been adjudicated a CINA;

has been removed from Karmen’s physical custody for two years—well beyond

the statutory requirement; and cannot be returned to her care at the present time.

See Iowa Code § 232.116(1)(f); In re D.W., 791 N.W.2d 703, 707 (Iowa 2010)

(interpreting statutory language “at the present time” to mean the time of

termination hearing).

2
 James does not contest the juvenile court’s findings that the grounds for termination of
his rights have been met. See Iowa Code § 232.116(1)(e), (f) (2018).
                                           5

       Karmen did not comply with the court’s expectations as to her drug testing

and treatment. Although she sometimes engaged with substance-abuse services,

she repeatedly cancelled or failed to appear and did not successfully complete any

treatment. She complains the court focuses too narrowly on these issues and she

highlights her recent success in finding full-time employment and maintaining a

residence. But her drug use prompted B.P.’s original removal. And Karmen has

not demonstrated a long-term commitment to sobriety. She tested positive for

methamphetamine several times during the CINA case while denying use. The

DHS could not recommend unsupervised visitations with B.P. because of drug-

related safety concerns. While Karmen’s recent achievements are commendable,

the danger that B.P. would be subject to the same adjudicatory harm remains.

       Beyond the statutory elements, Karmen resurrects a parity argument she

advanced at the termination hearing, contending termination of her parental

relationship with B.P. is inconsistent with her “joint custody and visitation rights” as

to his half-sister, T.D. At the termination hearing, the DHS worker testified T.D.

was in David’s care and the worker continued to supervise her case under a

permanency order. But regardless of T.D.’s situation, we must judge B.P.’s safety

and welfare independently based on the applicable law, including statutory

timelines.   B.P.’s two years out of Karmen’s care far exceeds the statutory

benchmarks. Moving him toward permanency will further his long-term nurturing

and growth. See Iowa Code § 232.116(2).

       B. Both Parents’ Contention—Guardianship

       Karmen and James both fault the juvenile court for not establishing a

guardianship for B.P. They assert a guardianship would achieve the same result
                                          6

for their son as termination of their rights and adoption.            We disagree.

“[G]uardianship is not a legally preferable alternative to termination.” In re A.S.,

906 N.W.2d 467, 477 (Iowa 2018). We are primarily concerned with B.P.’s safety

and need for a permanent home. See A.B., 815 N.W.2d at 776 (citing In re J.E.,

723 N.W.2d 793, 802 (Iowa 2006) (Cady, J., concurring specially)). A child in a

guardianship remains in flux because the parents can eventually petition for its

closing.   See, e.g., Iowa Code §§ 232.104, 633.675.         A guardianship is not

permanent, and B.P. would not experience the certainty of adoption. We agree

with the juvenile court’s sound analysis on this point:

       Both parents request that guardianship of the child be placed with
       Brandy . . . so that they can demonstrate their sobriety, stability and
       ability to meet the child’s needs. This court finds that guardianship
       is not in the child’s best interests, based upon the parents[’] past
       performance neither is willing or capable of making the necessary
       long-term changes in their life to parent the child. [B.P.] has waited
       over two years for Karmen . . . and James . . . to make the changes
       that would allow the child to return to their care. Neither parent has
       chosen to make those changes. The child’s behaviors have
       significant[ly] deteriorated as a result of his lack of permanency and
       confusion as to where [he] will grow up. The child’s safety can best
       be ensured by a termination of parental rights.

       B.P.’s home is now in South Carolina with his aunt, Brandy. The parents

did not present evidence suggesting Brandy would be willing to remain a guardian.

Instead, she has expressed her willingness to adopt B.P. The DHS worker testified

Brandy gives B.P. structure and stability, and his placement there is “the best

decision for him.” We find B.P.’s long-term best interests are served by termination

and adoption rather than a guardianship. See Iowa Code § 232.116(2).
                                            7

       James also invokes the relationship between B.P. and T.D. as a reason for

preferring a guardianship in Brandy. He asserts, “[T]he parental relationship which

binds the siblings together should not be severed.”3

        We recognize the importance of fostering sibling ties. See In re T.J.O., 527

N.W.2d 417, 420 (Iowa Ct. App. 1994). But it is not clear how a guardianship

makes it easier for B.P. and T.D. to maintain contact—B.P. would be living in South

Carolina either way.4 And “the paramount concern in these cases must be the

child’s best interests.” Id. Once the statutory requirements for termination are met,

“the needs of a child are promoted by termination of parental rights.” In re M.W.,

458 N.W.2d 847, 850 (Iowa 1990).

       We affirm termination of parental rights as to both James and Karmen.

       AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS.

3
  James does not suggest he has a strong bond with B.P. In fact, he does not contest the
court’s conclusion—under section 232.116(1)(e)—he failed to maintain significant and
meaningful contact with his son. And because James is not T.D.’s parent, we question
the logic of his argument. Severing James’s parental relationship with B.P. has no bearing
on the connection between B.P. and T.D.
4
  Although they live a great distance apart, Brandy and David have both expressed a
commitment to keep the siblings in contact as much as possible.