In the Interest of M.A., Minor Child ( 2018 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 18-1335
Filed October 10, 2018
IN THE INTEREST OF M.A.,
Minor Child,
M.A., Mother,
Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Johnson County, Jason A. Burns,
District Associate Judge.
The mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to her child.
AFFIRMED.
Kathryn E. Davis, Cedar Rapids, for appellant mother.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Meredith L. Lamberti, Assistant
Attorney General, for appellee State.
Anthony A. Haughton of Linn County Advocate, Inc., Cedar Rapids,
guardian ad litem for minor child.
Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Vogel and Tabor, JJ.
2
VOGEL, Judge.
The mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to M.A., born
January 2015.1 She argues the State failed to prove by clear and convincing
evidence that grounds for termination exist under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(g)
or (h) (2017), termination is not in the best interests of the child, and the strong
bond between her and her child precludes termination under Iowa Code section
232.116(3). We find the State has proved the grounds for termination by clear and
convincing evidence, termination is in the best interests of the child, and there is
nothing hindering termination.
I. Background Facts and Proceedings
The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) first took notice of this
family in April 2017, when M.A. was admitted to the hospital with a broken left tibia.
The incident occurred the day the mother was released from jail, during which time
her live-in boyfriend had been caring for M.A.2 Initially, hospital staff believed the
explanation for the injury was suspicious and reported possible child abuse. An
assessment was performed, and it was determined the injury could have been the
result of an accident. The mother admitted she and her boyfriend recently used
methamphetamine while M.A. was present in the home. A safety plan was
constructed and provided that both would refrain from using illegal substances,
both would participate in random drug testing, and M.A. would be subject to a hair-
1
A paternity test was performed in January 2018 identifying the father, who then
consented to the termination of his parental rights. He does not appeal.
2
In March 2017, the mother was arrested for a drug-delivery offense in violation of Iowa
Code section 124.401(1)(b)(7) and a charge of failure to affix a tax stamp. She was
incarcerated from approximately March 11 to April 1.
3
stat test. The safety services included a daily check on M.A. and required the
boyfriend’s mother to assist with the care of M.A.
On April 19, M.A.’s hair-stat test results were positive for exposure and
ingestion of methamphetamine. On April 21, the mother took M.A. to the hospital
and demanded the cast be taken off M.A.’s leg despite medical advice that it
remain in place for another four weeks. M.A. arrived without a diaper and was only
wearing an adult-sized sweater soiled with urine. Hospital staff reported the
mother’s erratic behavior and noted she displayed characteristics of being under
the influence of drugs, including jerky motions, unstable gait, and poor eye contact.
On May 1, the mother’s drug test results were positive for ingestion of
methamphetamine and amphetamines. With the mother’s stipulation that it was in
the best interest of M.A. to be removed from her custody, M.A. was placed in the
care of a foster family.
On May 30, with the mother’s written stipulation, M.A. was adjudicated as a
child in need of assistance. Various services were offered or provided, including
Family Treatment Court; drug testing; transportation assistance; parenting
assistance; Family Safety, Risk, and Permanency services (FSRP); substance-
abuse referrals; family team meetings; and mental-health referrals. The mother
attended most of the supervised visitations with M.A. The mother also claimed
she remained sober; however, she had multiple positive drug tests that indicated
continued use of marijuana and methamphetamine. The mother insisted any
positive test result was due to environmental exposure to drugs.
The State filed a petition to terminate parental rights in November. The
petition alleged the mother had made minimal progress since the case was opened
4
and she continued to struggle with substance abuse. Additionally, the petition
outlines the mother’s history, which includes a prior arrest on drug-related charges,
a prior termination of rights with respect to another child, and substance abuse.3
On July 18, 2018, the district court found the State had proved by clear and
convincing evidence the grounds for termination under Iowa Code section
232.116(1)(g) and (h). The mother appeals.
II. Standard of Review
We review termination-of-parental-rights proceedings de novo. In re M.W.,
876 N.W.2d 212, 219 (Iowa 2016). “We are not bound by the juvenile court’s
findings of fact, but we do give them weight, especially in assessing the credibility
of witnesses.” In re D.W., 791 N.W.2d 703, 706 (Iowa 2010). “We will uphold an
order terminating parental rights if there is clear and convincing evidence of
grounds for termination under Iowa Code section 232.116.” Id.; accord Iowa Code
§ 232.117(3) (“If the court concludes that facts sufficient to sustain the petition
have been established by clear and convincing evidence, the court may order
parental rights terminated.”). “‘Clear and convincing evidence’ means there are no
serious or substantial doubts as to the correctness or conclusions of law drawn
from the evidence.” In re C.B., 611 N.W.2d 489, 492 (Iowa 2000).
III. Grounds for Termination
“When the juvenile court terminates parental rights on more than one
statutory ground, we may affirm the juvenile court’s order on any ground we find
3
In December 2000, the mother’s rights to another child were terminated. The order for
the earlier case noted multiple concerns including the mother’s criminal history and drug
use. It also stated the mother was “in complete noncompliance with her case plan.”
5
supported by the record.” In re A.B., 815 N.W.2d 764, 774 (Iowa 2012).4 The
mother argues the district court erred in determining the State proved by clear and
convincing evidence that parental rights should be terminated under Iowa Code
section 232.116(1)(h). She specifically challenges the State’s establishment of
subsection (4), that M.A. could not be returned to her at the present time.5 While
the mother has participated in some services offered, her sobriety continues to be
a concern. At the time of the termination hearing, the mother had lost her place of
residence at transitional housing due to the positive drug tests and had failed to
secure a new residence. The termination order notes the mother agreed the child
could not be returned to her home and that she was preparing for homelessness.
The mother’s struggle with sobriety has continued for many years as
evidenced by her prior termination of parental rights in 2000. While the mother
asserts she is sober and provides various explanations for her positive drug tests,
an employee at the drug-testing facility testified that a test would only be “positive”
if the individual had consumed or used the drug and would not be positive, at the
4
The mother appeals the grounds for termination under subsection (g) and (h) of Iowa
Code section 232.116(1). We find the State has met its burden of proving grounds for
termination under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h) and decline to discuss subsection (g).
5
The relevant subsection provides parental rights may be terminated when:
The court finds that all of the following have occurred:
(1) The child is three years of age or younger.
(2) The child has been adjudicated a child in need of assistance pursuant
to section 232.96.
(3) The child has been removed from the physical custody of the child’s
parents for at least six months of the last twelve months, or for the last
six consecutive months and any trial period at home has been less than
thirty days.
(4) There is clear and convincing evidence that the child cannot be
returned to the custody of the child’s parents as provided in section
232.102 at the present time.
Iowa Code § 232.116(1)(h).
6
resulting levels, if the individual was merely exposed to the drug. The district court
found, and we agree, there is no “merit in [the mother’s] contention that the positive
drug tests are the result of environmental exposure” and the evidence presented
demonstrated “the tests are a result of the ingestion of the drug.”
[I]n considering the impact of a drug addiction, we must consider the
treatment history of the parent to gauge the likelihood the parent will
be in a position to parent the child in the foreseeable future. . . .
Where the parent has been unable to rise above the addiction and
experience sustained sobriety in a noncustodial setting, and
establish the essential support system to maintain sobriety, there is
little hope of success in parenting.
In re N.F., 579 N.W.2d 338, 341 (Iowa Ct. App. 1998). The mother continues to
test positive, and the last positive test listed in the record was approximately one
week before the termination hearing. Therefore, the State proved by clear and
convincing evidence that the child could not be returned to the mother’s care at the
present time and termination is warranted under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h).
See id.IV. Best Interests of the Child
The mother next argues the court improperly determined that termination is
in the best interests of the child. “In considering whether to terminate the rights of
a parent . . . , the court shall give primary consideration to the child’s safety, to the
best placement for furthering the long-term nurturing and growth of the child, and
to the physical, mental, and emotional condition and needs of the child.” Iowa
Code § 232.116(2). The mother claims the child’s relationship with her must be
maintained because she is the only parent the child has ever known since the
father was not involved in the child’s life.
7
Considering the child’s safety, termination of the mother’s parental rights is
in the child’s best interests. M.A. was exposed to many risks by having caretakers
who abused illegal substances, and since the mother fails to demonstrate
sustained sobriety, the child remains at risk for drug exposure.6 Based on this
evidence, the district court did not error in determining termination is in M.A.’s best
interests.
V. Nothing in the Record Precludes Termination
Finally, the mother claims the district court should have found her bond with
the child precludes termination. “A strong bond between parent and child is a
special circumstance which mitigates against termination when the statutory
grounds have been satisfied.” N.F., 579 N.W.2d at 341; see Iowa Code
§ 232.116(3)(c). However, this “is not an overriding consideration, but merely a
factor to consider.” N.F., 579 N.W.2d at 341.
The district court stated there was no doubt the mother loved M.A. but that
love “is not sufficient to give the child the safety and permanency that she
deserves.” The evidence in this case shows, at the time of the termination hearing,
the mother was unable to provide a safe and permanent home for M.A.
Furthermore, a DHS worker testified the mother “has shown that her need to use
substances is much stronger than her desire or her need to be a mom.” We agree
the bond between the mother and child is insufficient to preclude termination. See
Iowa Code § 232.116(3)(c).
6
Although the mother continued to deny any drug use, at a DHS safety check on May 2,
2017, M.A. brought a methamphetamine pipe to a social worker.
8
VI. Conclusion
We conclude the State proved by clear and convincing evidence the
grounds for termination of the mother’s parental rights. Additionally, we find
termination is in the best interests of the child and any bond between the mother
and M.A. does not preclude termination.
AFFIRMED.