Court Opinion

ID: 4291598
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-07-05 15:09:05.458321+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:38:08.280504
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                   No. 18-0546
                                Filed July 5, 2018

IN THE INTEREST OF K.R. and K.R.,
Minor Children,

K.R., Mother,
       Appellant.
________________________________________________________________

       Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Scott County, Christine Dalton Ploof,

District Associate Judge.

       A mother appeals from termination of her parental rights to two children.

AFFIRMED.

       Barbara E. Maness, Davenport, for appellant mother.

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

Attorney General, for appellee State.

       Rebecca Sharpe of Aitken, Aitken & Sharpe, P.C., Bettendorf, guardian ad

litem for minor children.

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

TABOR, Judge.

       Kendall is the mother of K-e.R. and K-n.R, aged five and three.1 She

challenges the order terminating her parental rights. She argues the State failed

to offer sufficient proof the children could not be returned home; the Iowa

Department of Human Services (DHS) did not make reasonable efforts to reunite

the family; and termination was not in the children’s best interests. On our de novo

review of the record, we affirm.2

       The DHS removed K-e.R. and K-n.R. from their mother’s custody in June

2017 when Kendall and her paramour were charged with possession with intent to

deliver a controlled substance. They had cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and drug

paraphernalia in their home within easy reach of the children. K-e.R. tested

positive for cocaine and tetrahydrocannabinol; the concentration of cocaine was

so high, it is likely he ingested it. K-n.R. could not be tested because his hair was

too short. Kendall admitted smoking marijuana around the children. She was

convicted of felony child endangerment. The DHS returned a founded child abuse

assessment against Kendall for both denial of critical care and presence of illegal

drugs in a child’s body. The DHS placed the children with Kendall’s sister, Angela,

where they have remained throughout the case.

1
  K-n.R.’s father is deceased. K-e.R.’s father was not involved in this case.
2
  We review child welfare proceedings de novo, which means examining both the facts
and law and adjudicating anew those issues properly preserved and presented. In re L.G.,
532 N.W.2d 478, 480 (Iowa Ct. App. 1995). We are not bound by the juvenile court’s
factual findings but give them weight, especially when witness credibility is a key
consideration. See In re M.W., 876 N.W.2d 212, 219 (Iowa 2016). As the petitioning
party, the State must offer clear and convincing proof, which means we see no “serious
or substantial doubts as to the correctness [of] conclusions of law drawn from the
evidence.” In re D.W., 791 N.W.2d 703, 706 (Iowa 2010) (quoting In re C.B., 611 N.W.2d
489, 492 (Iowa 2000)).
                                          3

       After her release from jail, Kendall moved to Chicago and lost contact with

the DHS. In its adjudicatory order, the court ordered the mother to establish a

stable, drug-free home for the children; participate in drug testing; and apply for

entry to Family Wellness Court. Although she made occasional telephone contact

with DHS workers, Kendall said she did not intend to return from Chicago. She

also occasionally saw the children with Angela’s encouragement, but contact was

irregular and infrequent. Kendall moved frequently and did not keep in touch with

DHS or take steps to participate in supervised visitation or ordered services. At

the time of the termination hearing, the DHS did not know her whereabouts or

phone number.

       The court terminated Kendall’s parental rights under Iowa Code section

232.116(1), paragraphs (b),3 (d),4 and (e)5 (2017). On appeal, Kendall advances

3
  “The court finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the child has been
abandoned or deserted.” Iowa Code § 232.116(1)(b).
4
  The court finds that both of the following have occurred:
                 (1) The court has previously adjudicated the child to be a child in
        need of assistance after finding the child to have been physically or
        sexually abused or neglected as the result of the acts or omissions of one
        or both parents, or the court has previously adjudicated a child who is a
        member of the same family to be a child in need of assistance after such a
        finding.
                 (2) Subsequent to the child in need of assistance adjudication, the
        parents were offered or received services to correct the circumstance
        which led to the adjudication, and the circumstance continues to exist
        despite the offer or receipt of services.
Id. § 232.116(1)(d).
5
  The court finds that all of the following have occurred:
                 (1) The child has been adjudicated a child in need of assistance
        pursuant to section 232.96.
                 (2) The child has been removed from the physical custody of the
        child's parents for a period of at least six consecutive months.
                 (3) There is clear and convincing evidence that the parents have
        not maintained significant and meaningful contact with the child during the
        previous six consecutive months and have made no reasonable efforts to
        resume care of the child despite being given the opportunity to do so. For
        the purposes of this subparagraph, “significant and meaningful contact”
                                            4

three arguments. First, she contends the State did not offer sufficient proof the

children could not be returned safely to her home. Kendall appears to contest the

grounds for termination under paragraphs (f) or (h) of section 232.116(1), both of

which require such proof. But Kendall’s parental rights were terminated under the

elements set out in paragraphs (b), (d), and (e)—none of which require proof the

children could not be returned safely to her home. Because she does not dispute

the existence of grounds for termination under paragraphs (b), (d), and (e), we

need not discuss them. See In re P.L., 778 N.W.2d 33, 40 (Iowa 2010). Moreover,

she has waived any challenge to the sufficiency of those grounds, and we affirm

the juvenile court’s findings. Iowa R. App. P. 6.903(2)(g)(3); see Hyler v. Garner,

548 N.W.2d 864, 870 (Iowa 1996) (“[O]ur review is confined to those propositions

relied upon by the appellant for reversal on appeal.”).

       Next, Kendall contends the DHS did not make reasonable efforts to reunify

her family but does not specify what additional efforts she requested before the

termination hearing or any she might request now.6 Kendall told her attorney she

        includes but is not limited to the affirmative assumption by the parents of
        the duties encompassed by the role of being a parent. This affirmative
        duty, in addition to financial obligations, requires continued interest in the
        child, a genuine effort to complete the responsibilities prescribed in the
        case permanency plan, a genuine effort to maintain communication with
        the child, and requires that the parents establish and maintain a place of
        importance in the child's life.
Id. § 232.116(1)(e).
6
  The DHS is required to exert every reasonable effort to return children to their home—
consistent with their best interests. Iowa Code § 232.102(6)(b). “Reasonable efforts”
include services offered to eliminate the need for removal or to make it possible for the
children to safely return to the family home. Id. While the reasonable-efforts burden rests
with DHS, parents also shoulder a responsibility to object if they believe the nature or
extent of services is inadequate. In re L.M., 904 N.W.2d 835, 839-40 (Iowa 2017)
(emphasizing a parent’s objection should be made as early as possible so the juvenile
court can order appropriate changes).
                                          5

didn’t take action to reconnect with her children because she had been informed

by her sister, Angela, that she already lost her parental rights, which Angela

denied. The juvenile court found Angela more credible, and the record is replete

with evidence Kendall chose not to cooperate with DHS or participate in services

throughout this case for her own reasons, despite reasonable efforts by DHS.

       Finally, Kendall contends termination is not in the children’s best interests

because of the parent-child bond. Kendall claims even if she “may have some

shortcomings,” the State did not present evidence to suggest she would subject

the children to harm. And she asserts the State has not shown she is unable to

meet their needs. We disagree with her contentions.

       Kendall did not participate in services or otherwise demonstrate to the DHS

or the juvenile court that she is capable of parenting these young children. The

children are doing well in their aunt’s care.          K-n.R. has behavioral and

developmental delays, but a provider noted Angela appears “able to give him the

special attention and skill building he needs.” Angela and her husband are willing

to adopt the children. Giving “primary consideration” to the children’s safety; to the

best placement for their long-tern nurturing and growth; and to their physical,

mental, and emotional condition and needs; we conclude their best interests are

served by termination of Kendall’s parental rights.       Iowa Code § 232.116(2).

Finally, there is no demonstrable bond between Kendall and the children; she has

never participated in supervised visitation, and her informal interactions have been

sporadic. See id. § 232.116(3)(c). The juvenile court found she abandoned the
                                             6

children, a finding Kendall does not dispute. See Iowa Code § 232.116(1)(b)

(abandonment), (e) (failure to maintain significant and meaningful contact). We

affirm all findings of the juvenile court.

       AFFIRMED.