Court Opinion

ID: 4096807
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-11-09 17:11:43.786236+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:00.718533
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                   No. 15-1862
                             Filed November 9, 2016

BRIAN SYDNES,
     Petitioner-Appellant,

vs.

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,
     Respondent-Appellee.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Karen A. Romano,

Judge.

      A father appeals a founded assessment of child abuse by mental injury by

the Department of Human Services and his placement on the central registry.

AFFIRMED.

      Tammy M. Westhoff Gentry of Parrish, Kruidenier, Dunn, Boles, Gribble

Gentry, Brown & Bergmann, Des Moines, for appellant.

      Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and David Van Compernolle and

Teresa M. Baustian, Assistant Attorneys General, for appellee.

      Heard by Vogel, P.J., and Tabor and Mullins, JJ.
                                         2

TABOR, Judge.

      Brian Sydnes appeals the district court’s ruling on judicial review

upholding the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) founded assessment

of child abuse by mental injury involving his daughter, J.S., and his placement on

the central registry. He raises three claims: (1) the DHS violated his right to due

process, (2) the DHS ruling is not supported by substantial evidence, and (3) the

DHS gave “undue credence” to the prior child-in-need-of-assistance (CINA)

adjudication.

      Like the district court, we reject all three challenges to the DHS actions.

First, although the DHS did not provide Brian with statutory notice in a timely

manner, this failure did not rise to the level of a constitutional violation because

Brian received actual notice he was the target of the DHS investigation in time to

provide a meaningful response. Second, substantial evidence supports the DHS

ruling. Third, because our legislature has determined a CINA adjudication “may

be determinative” in a contested case proceeding, the DHS gave the adjudication

proper deference and weight.

      I. Facts and Prior Proceedings

      The child at issue in this case is J.S., the teenage daughter of Brian and

O.S. J.S. and her two younger siblings experienced emotional distress related to

the contentious divorce of their parents. The most serious manifestation of that

distress occurred in July 2013, when J.S. attempted suicide by taking an

overdose of ibuprofen. She was admitted to the adolescent psychiatric unit at

the University of Iowa Hospitals.      Her treating physician, Dr. Eric Boyum,

contacted the DHS and alleged a mental injury to J.S. caused by both parents.
                                        3

       After an investigation by child protection worker (CPW) Theresa Hirst, the

DHS initial assessment, issued on August 9, 2013, determined the allegations of

“mental injury” were unfounded. But after receiving Dr. Boyum’s written report,

the DHS issued a founded assessment as to both parents in an August 16

“mental injury” addendum. The DHS offered services to the family. In early

November 2013, the DHS asked the county attorney to file a CINA petition

alleging negative behavior by Brian and O.S. and expressed “concerns about

whether [J.S.’s] emotional needs are being met in either parent’s home.”

       On November 25, 2013, the county attorney filed a CINA petition. The

juvenile court held a contested hearing, and its February 28, 2014 ruling noted

the guardian ad litem and J.S. herself favored the CINA adjudication. The only

party contesting the determination was Brian.       The court noted Brian was

“concerned how this ruling may affect his ability to obtain future employment with

government contracts.” The court adjudicated J.S. as CINA under Iowa Code

section 232.2(6)(c)(2) (2013) (regarding parent’s failure to supervise). The court

found, based on clear and convincing evidence, J.S. had suffered emotional

distress and was likely to suffer additional harm due to the argumentative and

unhealthy relationship between her parents. The court ordered J.S. to be placed

in foster care.

       Brian filed a motion under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.904(2). On

June 10, 2014, the court reaffirmed its ruling on Brian’s failure to supervise and

made an additional finding relevant to this appeal—based on the evidence

presented at the hearing, the State had proven by clear and convincing evidence
                                           4

the   parents’   behavior    led   to   adjudication    of   J.S.   as   CINA       under

section 232.2(6)(c)(1) (mental injury caused by the acts of the child’s parents).

       Brian appealed the CINA adjudication to this court, alleging he was “being

blamed for the mother’s infliction of mental injury” on J.S. See In re J.S., No. 14-

1014, 2014 WL 4938012, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. Oct. 1, 2014). Upholding the

juvenile court’s ruling, we noted Brian’s focus was misdirected because the

question was not which parent was “more blameworthy” but whether continued

DHS supervision was necessary to ensure the psychological harm to J.S. did not

worsen.1 Id.

       Meanwhile, Brian challenged the founded assessment and his placement

on the central registry—the basis for this appeal. A contested hearing before an

administrative law judge (ALJ) occurred on October 7, 2014.2 Two months later,

on December 5, the ALJ issued his proposed decision. The ALJ sustained the

founded child abuse assessment and Brian’s placement on the central abuse

registry under Iowa Code section 232.71D.            Brian appealed, and the DHS

director’s December 24 final decision adopted the ALJ’s proposed decision,

stating: “A reasonable and prudent person would not put their own conflicts with

another adult before the medical needs of their own child.”

1
  Noting the parents’ emotional battle was not new, this court observed:
        An Iowa DHS social worker testified, “All three kids expressed to the
        Department that the relationship between the parents is very contentious
        and conflictual and that’s causing them emotional distress.” The worker
        explained the mother lacks boundaries as to the information she shares
        with the children about her critical feelings toward the father and their
        ongoing custody issues.         The father, while less blatant, also
        communicates his negative feelings toward the mother to others, and the
        children are aware of those communications. The children are hesitant to
        talk to the DHS workers while in the company of their father.
2
  An earlier hearing date was continued at Brian’s request.
                                         5

       Brian sought judicial review, and after hearing arguments, the district court

affirmed the agency on October 13, 2015. Brian now appeals.

       II. Scope and Standards of Review

       The DHS is vested with discretion in the area of child abuse and

placement of those who perpetrate abuse on the offender registry. See Grant v.

Iowa Dep’t of Human Servs., 722 N.W.2d 169, 177 (Iowa 2006). “We apply the

standards of judicial review set forth in the Iowa Administrative Procedure Act,

Iowa Code chapter 17A, in our review of the agency’s findings concerning child

abuse reports.” Taylor v. Iowa Dep’t of Human Servs., 870 N.W.2d 262, 266

(Iowa Ct. App. 2015). “We review the district court’s decision to see if we reach

the same conclusions.” Id.

       On judicial review, we are bound by the agency’s findings of fact “if

supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole.” Meyer v. IBP, Inc.,

710 N.W.2d 213, 218 (Iowa 2006). “In our fairly intensive review,” we consider

“evidence supporting the challenged finding as well as evidence detracting from

it.” Neal v. Annett Holdings, Inc., 814 N.W.2d 512, 525 (Iowa 2012). But “courts

should broadly and liberally apply” the agency’s findings of fact “to uphold rather

than defeat the agency’s decision.” Taylor, 870 N.W.2d at 266 (citation omitted)

(“It is the agency’s duty as the trier of fact, not the reviewing court, to determine

the credibility of the witnesses, to weigh the evidence, and to decide the facts in

issue.”). Record evidence “is not insubstantial merely because it would have

supported contrary inferences.” Id. (citation omitted).

       Our review of agency action involving constitutional issues is de novo.

Chiodo v. Section 43.23 Panel, 846 N.W.2d 845, 848 (Iowa 2014).
                                         6

       III. Due Process

       Brian contends the district court erred in upholding the DHS determination

because he was not afforded procedural due process. Brian faults the DHS for

failing to provide a timely notification letter as required by statute. He asks us to

reverse the district court and vacate the founded child abuse assessment against

him.

       Brian is entitled to procedural due process in this administrative

proceeding. See Koelling v. Bd. of Trs., 146 N.W.2d 284, 291 (Iowa 1966). But

“all the formalities of judicial proceedings are not essential to constitute due

process of law in an administrative proceeding.”           Id.   In the context of

administrative agencies, “due process of law is not a term of fixed and invariable

content.” Id. We agree with Brian’s formulation of his right to due process—he

must be provided “notice of the allegations against him in time to provide a

meaningful opportunity to respond.”

       We turn to the assessment process utilized here.            See Iowa Code

§ 232.71B(1)(a) (requiring the DHS to promptly commence an assessment if it

finds a report is an allegation of child abuse). The DHS, “within five working days

of commencing the assessment, shall provide written notification of the

assessment to the child’s parents.” Id. § 232.71B(2). “If a parent is alleged to

have committed the child abuse, the notice shall inform the parents regarding the

complaint or allegation made regarding the parent.” Id.

       UI Hospitals admitted J.S. on July 5, 2013. According to Brian, he then

called the DHS hotline and reported his daughter’s suicide attempt, the emotional

harm inflicted on J.S. by O.S., the physical fighting between O.S. and J.S., and
                                          7

O.S.’s defiance of the court orders. Brian stated the DHS did not accept his

report, finding his allegations did not “rise to the level of neglect or abuse

necessary for assessment.”

       The assessment at issue commenced on July 12, 2013, when the DHS

accepted a referral alleging “the mother [O.S.] and father [Brian] have caused a

mental injury to the child [J.S.] by the manner in which they have treated and

spoken to the child. Child is currently a patient at U of I Hospitals.”

       On July 15, CPW Hirst spoke to the hospital social worker and learned

J.S., upon admission, was “in a state of depression, anxious, restless, somewhat

oppositional, [and] regretful that her overdose wasn’t successful in killing her.”

The social worker expressed concerns about both parents, telling Hirst each

noted the other’s behavior as the cause of J.S.’s suicidal thoughts.

       A different child protection worker interviewed J.S. on July 16; the child’s

condition had improved and she was agreeable to being discharged to her

mother’s care but did not want to go to her father’s home. J.S. told the worker

that in March, when her father was mad about the amount of time she spent on

her iPod, he grabbed her by her arm, “drug her up the stairs,” and later smashed

the device with a hammer. J.S. ran away to a friend’s house and later that

evening went to her mother’s home. J.S. stated she did not live with Brian after

the March 2013 incident.

       Four days after the assessment commenced, on July 16, Hirst called Brian

and left a message asking him to call her about “an open child abuse

assessment.” Brian did not return her call. On July 17, Hirst noted “historically,
                                          8

any communication the father has had with the [DHS] has been through email.”

Hirst planned to make further “attempts to interview the child’s father.”

       The hospital called Brian on July 18 to inform him J.S. was being released

to her mother. On July 23, Hirst spoke to J.S. for the first time. J.S. said her

father tries to communicate with her but “she just doesn’t want to talk to him.” On

July 24, Hirst noted she still had not received any response from Brian.

       Hirst was able to speak with Dr. Boyum by phone on July 29. Dr. Boyum

stated his belief that “both parents are causing mental injury” to J.S. and agreed

to send Hirst a letter stating this opinion. Also on July 29, Hirst sent Brian a letter

again informing him of the open assessment regarding J.S. and requesting Brian

call Hirst to discuss the assessment and “any concerns you may have.” Neither

Hirst’s initial phone message nor this letter informed Brian the assessment

included allegations against him.

       Brian drafted a lengthy letter on August 2, stating he was concerned about

the safety of J.S. and the two younger children, “especially in the care of their

mother.” He stated the hospital personnel had attempted to intimidate him by

saying “they were going to report to DHS emotional injury against both parents.”

Brian concluded by stating he had retained an attorney to help him reinstate

supervised visitation with the mother because, otherwise, he feared the mother’s

“emotional and psychological abuse” of the children would only worsen. The

DHS included the entirety of Brian’s letter in its assessment.
                                           9

       On August 4, 2013, Hirst sent another letter to Brian, provided him with

two phone numbers, and stated:

               I have received your letter on August 2, 2013, regarding your
       concerns of the mental health status of [O.S.]. I need to further
       speak with you regarding how your actions and behaviors [m]ay
       have negatively impacted [J.S.], as the concerns received by DHS
       allege[ ] that both yourself and [O.S.] . . . have caused mental injury
       to [J.S.].
               I would like to schedule an appointment and meet with you
       to further discuss and assess the information that I have gathered
       thus far during the course of my assessment to gather additional
       information, clarification, and to provide you an opportunity to
       respond to the concerns as it involves yourself and your family.

Thus, Brian learned on August 4 that the DHS assessment included allegations

against him. This actual notice was more than five days after the assessment

commenced on July 12, so the DHS did not meet the statutory timeframe.

       Brian replied in an August 7 letter, received by the DHS on August 9.

Brian claimed he was misled by Hirst’s July 29 letter because she did not identify

him “as the subject responsible for alleged child abuse.” Brian also objected to

the lack of statutory notice.3 Brian requested “an opportunity to respond to the

allegations of child abuse.” He asked for “a written response of all allegations

from all sources which you have gathered in your assessment.” He stated “once

this information has been provided, I will consider making an appointment to

meet with you.” Brian also provided a timeline, e-mails, text messages, letters,

Facebook conversations, and stated: “Prior to this I had little to no contact with

[J.S.] since March 15, as [O.S.] has openly defied the court order regarding

3
 The district court found: “As soon as Hirst was informed that Brian did not receive the
parental notification, it was reissued.”
                                          10

custody and visitation and refused to allow any direct contact. I have retained an

attorney and will be filing Contempt of Court action.”

       Brian knew J.S. had attempted suicide on July 4 and was refusing to

speak with him; knew from his conversations with hospital personnel that they

were planning to report emotional injury against both parents; and knew from a

July 16 phone message that the DHS wished to speak to him about an

assessment involving J.S. Although the DHS did not provide timely statutory

notice, Brian had actual notice from the DHS on August 4 that allegations had

been made against him. The DHS issued its initial assessment of unfounded

child abuse on August 9. Thus, Brian had several days after receiving actual

notice to respond to the DHS. Brian responded in an August 7 letter. Under

these circumstances, we cannot conclude the lack of statutory notice rose to the

level of a constitutional violation of Brian’s right to procedural due process. Brian

had a meaningful opportunity to present his viewpoint after he had actual notice

of the allegations against him, and he chose to do so in writing.4

       IV. Substantial Evidence

       At the administrative hearing, Brian’s testimony, his exhibits, and the

testimony of his witnesses pointed to the mother’s acts and omissions as causing

4
  Brian raises a second due process challenge, claiming his rights were violated because
he was not interviewed by the DHS. The relevant statute provides:
                The offer of an interview shall be made to the person prior to any
        consideration or determination being made that the person committed the
        alleged abuse . . . . The person offered an interview, or the person’s
        attorney on the person’s behalf, may decline the offer of an interview of
        the person.
Iowa Code § 232.71B(4)(e). After our review of the record, we adopt the district court’s
resolution: “This assessment did not include an interview with Brian because he chose to
communicate in writing and did not take advantage of the opportunity to speak with
Hirst.” Brian’s constitutional rights were not violated in this regard.
                                        11

harm to J.S. On appeal, Brian claims there was not substantial evidence that his

acts or omissions caused J.S.’s mental injury. During oral arguments, Brian’s

counsel asserted the DHS twisted the sentiments in his August 2 letter to support

its claim Brian was not concerned about his daughter and emphasized Brian

composed the letter before receiving notice he was the target of the DHS child

abuse investigation.

       Because we appreciate counsel’s point regarding the unfairness of the

DHS using Brian’s August 2 letter to paint him in a negative light, we exclude any

consideration of that letter when deciding if the record as a whole contains

substantial evidence to support the agency’s determination. Even excluding that

piece of evidence, we conclude the State met its burden to prove by a

preponderance of the evidence that Brian’s acts or omissions caused J.S.’s

mental injury. See Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-175.21.

       Iowa Code section 232.68(2)(a)(2) defines child abuse involving mental

injury as follows:

              Any mental injury to a child’s intellectual or psychological
       capacity as evidenced by an observable and substantial impairment
       in the child’s ability to function within the child’s normal range of
       performance and behavior as the result of the acts or omissions of
       a person responsible for the care of the child, if the impairment is
       diagnosed and confirmed by a licensed physician or qualified
       mental health professional.

“That section reveals a clear intention by the legislature that a finding of child

abuse based on a mental injury to a child’s intellectual or psychological capacity

may be proven if diagnosed and confirmed by a physician or mental health

professional.” Taylor, 870 N.W.2d at 272.
                                          12

       In our review of the voluminous administrative record and the hearing

transcript, we find the following information sufficiently undergirds the agency’s

conclusion that Brian’s conduct toward J.S. constituted child abuse causing

mental injury. The connection between Brian’s conduct and J.S.’s mental injury

was suggested by J.S. in her suicide note. In the note, the teenager was critical

of how Brian treated her and her siblings. J.S. begged Brian to change his

behavior to be a better parent to her younger sister and brother. She told the

hospital staff her father was ineffective in communicating with his children and

“repeatedly threatened or destroyed his children’s electronic equipment.”

       Dr. Boyum, who treated J.S., named both parents in a report of mental

injury filed with the DHS. During her treatment, J.S. told Dr. Boyum she was

afraid of Brian after an incident in March 2013 when he reportedly dragged her

upstairs to her room and threw her on the bed.5 J.S. told the doctor she then

moved into her mother’s home, where she was subjected to verbal abuse and

demoralizing criticisms. Finding a correlation between the behavior of both O.S.

and Brian and J.S.’s mood and impairment, the doctor filed the report for mental

injury and diagnosed J.S. with major depressive disorder and adjustment

disorder with anxiety. The hospital discharge notes state:

              As the hospitalization progressed, [J.S.] remained rather
       easily tearful about her social situation, feeling that she did not see
       much hope in living with either parent. She said that “she would
       run away,” and “would be better off dead” [than] living with her

5
  Twice during March 2013, J.S. told this version of the events to the police. But when
the DHS investigated the incident, she changed her story, and the DHS labelled the
incident “unfounded.” Thus, during her hospitalization, J.S. told Dr. Boyum the original
version of the interaction with her father.
                                          13

       father,[6] and remained hopeless that her mother would change in
       how she publically shamed [J.S.] and focused on negative
       behavior, which hurt [J.S.’s] self-esteem.

       A hospital social worker told CPW Hirst that the conduct of J.S.’s parents

led to the girl’s depressive symptoms and each parent blamed the other for J.S.’s

suicide attempt and mental health issues. According to the social worker, the

parents saw no need for treating J.S. with medication recommended by the

doctor, instead each parent asserted that placing sole custody with him or her

would serve as a “cure” for J.S.’s diagnosed mental illness.

       In a July 29, 2013 phone call with Hirst, Dr. Boyum stated his belief “the

parents’ behaviors and actions have led to [J.S.’s] depressive symptoms, poor

school performance, and [J.S.] attempting suicide.” Dr. Boyum discussed his

interactions with O.S. and Brian, stating each parent’s “main motivation is the

external issues, the ongoing court battle regarding custody of the children,

instead of meeting the emotional needs of the child.”

       CPW Hirst’s November 5, 2013 letter to the county attorney seeking a

CINA petition discussed Brian’s behavior after the founded assessment and

when the DHS was offering of services to the family:

       A family team meeting [FTM] was held on October 14, 2013 . . . .
       The father refused to answer many of the questions aimed at
       creating case plan goals and/or general questions about the family.
       He made statements to the effect that since he does not believe the
       [DHS] should be involved; there is no need for case plan goals. He
       was unwilling to discuss how to better communicate with [J.S.] and
       how to address her emotional needs, because he does not believe
       he has a poor relationship with his daughter. The father left the

6
  Three days after her suicide attempt, J.S. attended an individual therapy session and
stated she “does not want to go to her father’s house due to physical abuse problems in
the past.” But she stated a willingness to work with a hospital program “to learn about
healthy ways to manage her difficult emotions.”
                                             14

         FTM prior to its completion because he said there was nothing
         further to discuss . . . . In short, both parents seem oblivious to the
         impact their unhealthy actions and communications may have on all
         their children.
                . . . . The father . . . blame[s] the DHS, the provider, the
         mother, the mental health professionals, and the police for the
         current situation.
                . . . . [The] DHS does have concerns about whether the
         children’s emotional needs are being met in either parent’s home.

(Emphasis added.)

         After her hospitalization, J.S. “basically refused to have any contact with

her father. She did agree to see him on one occasion; the contact did not go

well,” according to a February 2, 2014 DHS report. The DHS report recounted

feelings expressed by J.S. that her father was “mean to her.” The DHS asked

Brian to engage in anger management sessions; Brian said he needed additional

information before he would do so. The report also noted J.S. agreed to therapy

only “if her parents do not choose the therapist and if her parents do not go with

her.” The report continued: “All three children report the conflict between their

parents is a constant stressor and they often feel stuck in the middle. They all

report that each parent blames the other for the divorce and for all of the

children’s emotional issues.” Finally, the report concluded:

                In short, . . . there has been little progress in regard to the
         parents being able to set aside their own anger, feelings, and
         needs to adequately address the emotional needs of all three
         children. The parents’ relationship has remained contentious . . . .
         In some regard, the father is more discreet and covert [concerning]
         his disapproval of the mother, he [is] not continually say[ing]
         disparaging remarks about the mother directly to the children, but
         he does to others, and the children are aware of this . . . . [H]e
         exhibits extremely controlling behavior toward the mother, the
         children, the DHS, and the provider.[7]

7
    The report addressed Brian’s interactions with the DHS and the provider:
                                          15

              ....
              The parents continue to blame each other for the children’s
       emotional issues, and although the parents are willing to allow the
       children to access therapy services, unless their behavior changes
       in regard to each other and toward their children, it would appear
       the emotional harm caused to the children will simply worsen.

       In late April 2014, J.S. completed a psychological evaluation. During the

evaluation J.S. reported “her father does not tell her things about her mother, but

will still attempt to portray her mother in a negative light.” She described her

father as “manipulative and controlling.” The testing suggested J.S. “likely feels

overwhelmed by anxiety, tension, and depression” and also “suggests she is

likely functioning at a very low efficiency level and minor stressors can lead to

emotional deterioration.” The clinician noted a diagnostic impression of major

depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety.                The clinician

suggested continuing therapy, “but she would also likely benefit from anti-

depressant medication.”       The clinician opined J.S. has “a vast amount of

potential” and is experiencing “significant home stress.” The clinician hoped her

parents “will begin to focus on all the positives she offers.”

       The ALJ’s lengthy decision accurately set out the contested hearing’s

evidence in detail. The ALJ found the case “difficult and close,” believed the

mother “was largely responsible for the conflict” in the family over the past

               Throughout the course of the family’s involvement with the DHS,
       the father has insisted that the DHS enforce [the Colorado order granting
       him physical care]. The DHS has consistently explained to the father,
       that unless the children are adjudicated by the juvenile court, and/or the
       DHS can prove an imminent risk of harm to any of the children in either
       parental home, the DHS cannot intervene in the custody issue. Even
       though this has been explained to the father on numerous occasions, he
       has continued to insist that the DHS is not enforcing the order and is
       allowing the mother to keep his daughter from him.
                                         16

several years, and also believed the mother “has been in large part responsible

for the mental injury that J.S. clearly suffers from.” Nevertheless, the ALJ found

Brian contributed to J.S.’s condition by (1) his initial reluctance to seek therapy or

other services for J.S., (2) his initial unwilling to discuss ways to communicate

with J.S. and how to address her emotional needs, and (3) not aiming his

communications with the DHS at “solutions and treatment, but rather on laying

blame,” which “cannot be a parent’s focus.” The ALJ findings are supported by

the record.

       Continuing, the ALJ found “two other important factors”—Dr. Boyum’s

July 29, 2013 letter and J.S.’s CINA adjudication—support the DHS child abuse

assessment against Brian. We discuss the CINA adjudication below. As to Dr.

Boyum’s letter, like the district court, we conclude the letter provides support for

the founded assessment and registry placement.           The district court decided

substantial evidence supported the agency’s findings, pointing to information in

the record showing Brian’s inability or unwillingness to accept “the past turmoil

has continued to adversely impact J.S. as she enters her teen years to the point

she attempted suicide.” The court also noted evidence that after J.S. left the

hospital, Brian continued to focus on his “toxic relationship” with O.S. and not on

J.S.’s needs. We reach the same conclusion as the district court.

       V. CINA Adjudication

       Brian argues the ALJ’s deference to the CINA adjudication constituted an

application of the doctrine of issue preclusion “in all but name.” Brian claims

consideration of the CINA adjudication “essentially swung” the case against him

and an “overbroad reliance on the CINA proceeding moots the point of the
                                        17

separate contested case proceeding,” constituting error by the agency and the

district court. Brian relies upon Grant, 722 N.W.2d at 173-75, to support his

issue-preclusion argument.

      In response, the State notes the legislature amended the code to

“specifically authorize issue preclusion in appropriate cases.” See 2012 Iowa

Acts ch. 1082, § 5 (amending Iowa Code § 235A.19(3)(d)). Under the amended

statute, the department may defer the contested hearing until the conclusion of

the adjudicatory phase of a pending CINA proceeding either on its own initiative

or at the request of “any party to the contested case proceeding.” Iowa Code

§ 235A.19(3)(d). Thereafter, a CINA adjudication “in a district court case relating

to the child abuse data or findings may be determinative in a contested case

proceeding.”     Id.   Accordingly, under the plain language of the statute, the

agency is authorized to give weight to a prior CINA adjudication of the same

issue. See id.

      In resolving this challenge, the district court stated the ALJ had “noted the

higher burden of proof of clear and convincing evidence required to adjudicate a

child on the grounds of ‘mental injury caused by the acts of the child’s parent.’”

The district court then found the CINA proceeding was fully contested, with Brian

represented by an attorney who “was able to call witnesses and cross-examine

witnesses.” Noting the ALJ “appears to have placed great weight on the CINA

adjudication in his final determination,” the court concluded “the deference and

weight given to the CINA adjudication by the agency was proper.” We agree.

      AFFIRMED.