Court Opinion

ID: 9677469
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:53:09.709175+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:56.196649
License: Public Domain

DONIELSON, Judge
(dissenting).
I dissent. I find there is sufficient evidence to overcome the presumption which favors the natural parent as the guardian. I would grant Randall and Sandra Lilly custody and appoint them to serve as the guardians and conservators of Rachel.
Admittedly, the fact Craig is not able to compute basic math equations or read to his daughter is not sufficient to overcome this presumption. However, Craig is unable to meet the most basic of Rachel’s physical and emotional needs. It is clear he will continue to be unable to do so in the future.
Rachel’s medical condition requires careful, long-term attention which Craig cannot provide. Craig relies almost entirely upon the constant supervision of his sister, Jeannie. Jeannie tells Craig what to feed Rachel and how much medicine to give to her. Jeannie reads the labels on foods to make, sure they are consistent with Rachel’s diet. Jeannie does all the grocery shopping. At the hearing, Craig repeatedly testified that if Jeannie were not around to help him with the above, he would seek the assistance of a “nextdoor neighbor.” Such testimony is *884no assurance of Craig s ability to provide for Rachel without the assistance of his sister.
Jeanme has not petitioned the court for an appointment as guardian, conservator, or custodian. While I commend Jeannie for her dedication to helping Craig, she has assumed no legal responsibility for the well-being of Rachel. On the other hand, Randall and Sandra have been more than willing to assume the duties of parenting Rachel. I believe Randall and Sandra have established Rachel’s best interests require their appointment as guardians and custodians. See In re Guardianship of Sams, 256 N.W.2d 570, 572 (Iowa 1977) (burden on grandfather to establish the best interests of the children required his appointment as their custodian).
I would reverse the district court and remand for further proceedings appointing Randall and Sandra as guardians and custodians of Rachel and awarding them physical custody of Rachel.