In the Interest of N.G., Minor Child, B.S., Mother
Opinion
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 4-037 / 13-1955 Filed February 5, 2014
IN THE INTEREST OF N.G., Minor Child,
B.S., Mother, Appellant. ________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Louise Jacobs,
District Associate Judge.
B.S. appeals the district court order terminating her parental rights.
AFFIRMED.
Steven L. Cooper of Burdette Law Firm, P.C., Clive, for appellant.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, Kathrine S. Miller-Todd, Assistant
Attorney General, John P. Sarcone, County Attorney, and Annette Taylor and
Kevin B. Patrick, Assistant County Attorneys, for appellee.
Kimberly Ayotte of Youth Law Center, Des Moines, attorney and guardian
ad litem for minor child.
Considered by Potterfield, P.J., and Doyle and Bower, JJ. 2
BOWER, J.
B.S. appeals the district court order terminating her parental rights. She
argues there was insufficient evidence to justify termination, termination is not in
the best interests of the child, and statutory exceptions apply that do not require
termination. We find sufficient evidence to justify termination and termination is
in the best interests of the child. We affirm.
I. Background Facts and Proceedings
This case is the result of a second child in need of assistance (CINA)
petition filed for the benefit of B.S.’s child, who was two and a half years of age at
the time of the termination hearing. The first CINA case, filed in July 2011, was
closed in March 2012 after B.S. successfully participated in services. The child
was removed for a second time on January 25, 2013, after B.S. left the child with
relatives following a drug relapse. B.S. failed to participate in any offered
services but continued to use methamphetamine until her arrest for several
criminal charges in June 2013.1 On October 13, 2013, the date of the
termination hearing, B.S. was still in jail as her criminal charges remained
unresolved. B.S. last had contact with the child on February 23, 2013.
The district court terminated B.S.’s parental rights based upon five
separate statutory provisions. The court determined the child has been
abandoned; the child has been abused and the circumstances continue despite
the offer of services; the parent has failed to maintain meaningful contact with the
1 At the time of the termination hearing, B.S. was incarcerated on charges of robbery, second degree theft, unlawful use of a credit card, and a probation violation. The probation resulted from a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. 3
child despite being given the opportunity to do so; the child is under three years
of age and has been removed from the parent’s custody for at least six of the
past twelve months with no possibility of return; and the parent has a serious
substance abuse problem preventing the child from being returned in a
reasonable period of time. Iowa Code § 232.116 (b), (d), (e), (h), and (l) (2013).
II. Standard of Review
Our review of termination proceedings is de novo. In re A.B., 815, N.W.2d
764, 773 (Iowa 2012). We give weight to the factual findings of the district court,
particularly on matters of credibility, but we are not bound by them. Id.
III. Discussion
Under Chapter 232, we follow a three-step analysis for termination of
parental rights. In re P.L., 778 N.W.2d 33, 39 (Iowa 2010). If we find a basis for
termination exists under section 232.116(1), we then proceed to determine
whether termination is in the best interests of the child under section 232.116(2).
Finally, we must consider whether any of the statutory exceptions in section
232.116(3) allow the court to decline to terminate. Where the district court has
cited multiple grounds for termination, we may affirm on any one ground
supported by clear and convincing evidence. In re D.W., 791 N.W.2d 703, 707
(Iowa 2010). Upon a review of the record, we find grounds for termination exists
under section 232.116(1)(e), (h), and (l).
Section 232.116(1)(e) allows for termination where the child has been
adjudicated in need of assistance, has been removed from the physical custody
of the parent for at least six consecutive months, and the parent has failed to 4
maintain significant and meaningful contact with the child. B.S. has had no
contact of any kind with the child since February 23, 2013. Though B.S. has
been incarcerated since June 2013, and has had less opportunity to maintain
contact with the child, she had ample opportunity from February 23, 2013,
through June 19, 2013, the date of her arrest, and made no effort to do so. While
incarcerated, there is no evidence B.S. has sent cards or letters, called, or
maintained any communication with the child. B.S, has failed to maintain a place
of importance in the child’s life.
Section 232.116(1)(h) allows for termination when the child is under three
years of age, has been adjudicated in need of assistance, has been removed
from the custody of the parent for six of the last twelve months, and cannot be
returned as provided in section 232.102 at the present time. The child has been
removed since February 23, 2013, and at the time of the hearing, B.S. remained
incarcerated and was unsure when she might be able to care for the child.
Section 232.116(1)(l) allows for termination where the parent has a severe
substance-abuse problem that poses a danger to the parent or others, and the
child will not be able to be returned to the parent within a reasonable time. This
is B.S.’s second court involvement as a result of her substance abuse. Though
she acted appropriately in placing the child with a relative so as to protect the
child from the dangers of her addiction, she refused to participate in services and
has made statements about voluntarily terminating her parental rights. As a
result of her reluctance to address her addiction and pattern of relapse, it is
unlikely the child can be returned to her care within a reasonable time. 5
Having found grounds for termination, we next consider whether
termination is in the best interests of the child. Iowa Code § 232.116(2). We
give consideration to the best placement for the long term growth and needs of
the child. Id. We find termination is in the child’s best interests. This proceeding
is the result of the second CINA petition in a short period of time. B.S. has
struggled to maintain her sobriety and has failed to maintain significant contact
with the child. The child is settled into a stable home, with family, where the
child’s needs are more likely to be met in the future.
Finally, we are to consider whether any of the exceptions in section
232.116(3) apply. B.S. argues the court need not terminate because a relative
has legal custody of the child and because of the strength of the parent-child
bond. We decline to use section 232.116(3) as a reason to refuse to terminate
B.S.’s parental rights. B.S.
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