In the Interest of J.M., Minor Child ( 2023 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 23-0907
Filed August 30, 2023
IN THE INTEREST OF J.M.,
Minor Child,
S.M., Mother,
Appellant,
C.B., Father,
Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County, Thomas J. Straka,
Associate Juvenile Judge.
A mother and father separately appeal the termination of their rights to one
child. AFFIRMED ON MOTHER’S APPEAL; REVERSED AND REMANDED ON
FATHER’S APPEAL.
Taryn R. McCarthy of Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P.,
Dubuque, for appellant mother.
Kathryn A. Duccini of Duccini Law Office, PLLC, Dubuque, for appellant
father.
Brenna Bird, Attorney General, and Tamara Knight, Assistant Attorney
General, for appellee State.
Kristy L. Hefel, Dubuque, attorney and guardian ad litem for minor child.
Considered by Tabor, P.J., Buller, J., and Blane, S.J.*
*Senior judge assigned by order pursuant to Iowa Code section 602.9206
(2023).
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BLANE, Senior Judge.
A mother and father separately appeal the termination of their parental
rights. Both argue for extensions and that it was not in the child’s best interests to
terminate their rights. The mother also claims her bond with the child should
preclude termination.
We find no grounds to reverse termination as to the mother. But we find the
father should receive six months to work toward reunification with the child.
I. FACTS AND PRIOR PROCEEDINGS
J.M. came to the department’s attention at birth, March 2022, when he and
his mother, S.M., tested positive for amphetamine and cocaine.1 S.M. has three
older children who are not in her care. The Department of Health and Human
Services social worker testified that of the last sixty-six months, the department
has been involved with S.M. for forty-three. The earlier cases revolved around the
same issue here—the mother’s substance-abuse problems.
Shortly after J.M.’s birth, S.M. entered a residential treatment facility, where
the baby could stay with her. But she was discharged from that program before
completing it. That month, June 2022, J.M. was moved to his aunt and uncle’s
home, and continued to live with them for the rest of the child-in-need-of-
assistance (CINA) proceedings.
Throughout the CINA proceedings, the department offered S.M. two fully
supervised visitations each week. But at the termination hearing, the social worker
testified S.M. had attended only seventeen of the forty-four offered. When asked
1 S.M. admitted cocaine use throughout her pregnancy and was homeless at the
time of J.M.’s birth.
3
why she missed so many visits, S.M. responded, “I don’t know.” But S.M. also
reported that her visits were scheduled at 9:00 a.m., and the department required
her to confirm two hours in advance, but 7:00 a.m. was too early for her. The social
worker explained that the visits were scheduled to coincide with J.M.’s most alert
and active times of the day. The mother also once admitted that she could not
attend the visit because she was still drunk from the night before. The department
has never considered increasing visitation time or decreasing the level of
supervision because the mother had not shown her ability to parent independently.
The service provider reported visitations had mixed results—the mother was
mostly appropriate but also relied on others to do the direct parenting and spent a
lot of time calling others on her phone.
The mother has attempted but not completed any substance-abuse
treatment program. She did not complete inpatient treatment and has been
inconsistent with other treatment programs and attempts. Most recently, she was
discharged unsuccessfully from counselling in October 2022. The week of the
termination hearing, the mother reported to the social worker that she had a
substance-abuse class scheduled, but when the social worker called the provider,
she learned it was only an intake appointment, and the mother ultimately did not
attend. At her first and only substance-abuse evaluation, the provider could not
get an accurate history of S.M.’s substance use because she appeared to be
purposely vague. Also, the mother has completed only three drug tests, all of
which were positive for illegal substances, including cocaine, THC, and
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methamphetamine.2 And she testified at the termination hearing that she had used
cocaine within the last month.
The mother had a mental-health evaluation in April 2023, a month before
the termination hearing. She received multiple diagnoses of mental-health and
substance-abuse disorders but did not follow-up in any way. Still, at the
termination hearing, she reported she had appropriate housing and a job at a fast-
food restaurant where her sister is the manager.3
After giving birth, while still in the hospital, the department asked S.M. to
provide the names of any potential fathers, and she identified two. The paternity
test for the first-identified potential father came back negative in December 2022.
After the first paternity test was negative, the social worker testified that on
December 22 she sent C.B. a letter informing him he could be J.M.’s father. C.B.
responded mid-January 2023. The department then sent a laboratory request for
paternity testing in February. C.B. attended the appointment in March and on
March 21, results came back showing C.B. is J.M.’s biological father.
When the social worker received the news, she called C.B. and left a
message on his phone notifying him of the test results. Later he asked to come to
the department office and pick up the results because he did not believe they were
accurate. He declined to meet with the social worker because he felt
“overwhelmed,” and wanted to have his parental rights terminated. Over several
2 On numerous other occasions S.M. tampered with or removed the drug test
patches.
3 S.M.’s sister testified that S.M. has failed to show up for work on several
occasions and has been warned that if she fails to show up for work again, she will
be fired.
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phone calls with the social worker, C.B. and his fiancée stated he did not want to
participate in services and wanted to terminate his rights. C.B. also had another
open child-welfare case on his child with his fiancée.4
The State petitioned to terminate both parents’ rights on April 11, with a
hearing scheduled for May 12. On April 27, C.B. was arrested on a probation
violation warrant and, following a hearing on May 5, was sentenced to fifty-six days
in jail for contempt on his probation violations on felony drug charges. Then, about
a week before the termination hearing, the social worker met with C.B. in the jail
to have him sign voluntary termination papers. There, for the first time and after
meeting with his attorney, C.B. reported he wanted reunification services.
After the May 12 termination hearing, the court terminated both parents’
rights. For C.B., the court terminated parental rights under Iowa Code section
232.116(1)(h) (2023). For S.M., the court terminated parental rights under Iowa
Code section 232.116(1) (h) and (l). The parents appeal separately.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review termination decisions de novo. In re P.L., 778 N.W.2d 33, 40
(Iowa 2010). We will uphold an order when there is clear and convincing evidence
of the statutory grounds for termination. In re T.S., 868 N.W.2d 425, 434 (Iowa Ct.
App. 2015). We give careful consideration to the juvenile court’s factual findings
and in-person observations, but we are not bound by them. See In re W.M., 957
N.W.2d 305, 312 (Iowa 2021). Our top priority is the child’s best interests. See In
4 This CINA case was initiated by his criminal probation officer who contacted the
department when C.B. arrived with his daughter for an appointment while he was
high on marijuana. Urinalysis showed he was positive for THC and cocaine.
6
re J.E., 723 N.W.2d 793, 802 (Iowa 2006) (Cady, J., concurring specially)
(identifying safety and the need for a permanent home as the “defining elements”
in the best-interests determination).
III. ANALYSIS
In general, we follow a three-step analysis in reviewing the termination of a
parent’s rights. P.L., 778 N.W.2d at 39. We first consider whether there is a
statutory ground for termination of the parent’s rights under section 232.116(1). Id.
Second, we look to whether termination of the parent’s rights is in the child’s best
interests. Id. (citing Iowa Code § 232.116(2)). Third, we consider whether any of
the exceptions to termination in section 232.116(3) should be applied. Id. But in
instances where the parent does not raise a claim relating to one of the three steps,
we limit our review to the claims presented. See id. at 40 (recognizing we do not
consider a step the parent does not challenge).
IV. MOTHER
A. Extension
S.M. first argues the court erred in denying her request for an extension of
the time for reunification. Courts may delay permanency for six months only if the
need for removal will be resolved in that time. See In re W.T., 967 N.W.2d 315,
323 (Iowa 2021) (discussing section 232.104(2)(b)). We do not see any
justification in the record for an extension. S.M. has been struggling with
substance-abuse for years and has made no progress in addressing those issues
during this case. She has not succeeded in any form of treatment over the last
year and continues to test positive for illegal drugs. We have no basis for
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concluding that J.M. could be returned to her in six months. So an extension was
unwarranted.
B. Best Interests
S.M. next contends termination was not in J.M.’s best interests. We
determine best interests using the framework described in section 232.116(2).
See In re A.H.B., 791 N.W.2d 687, 690–91 (Iowa 2010). We give “primary
consideration” to J.M.’s safety, to the best placement for furthering his long-term
nurturing and growth, and to his physical, mental, and emotional condition and
needs. Iowa Code § 232.116(2). The “defining elements” of the best-interests
analysis are the child’s safety and “need for a permanent home.” In re H.S., 805
N.W.2d 737, 748 (Iowa 2011) (citation omitted). S.M.’s primary argument relates
to the severance of J.M.’s relationship with his siblings. While we consider sibling
relationships in child-welfare proceedings, here the more important concern is
S.M.’s inability to provide a safe and stable home for any of her children, including
J.M. J.M. has never lived with her—outside their brief stint in residential drug
treatment—or his siblings. Given her unresolved drug use and mental-health
issues, the best chance J.M. has for furthering his nurturing and growth is to sever
S.M.’s parental rights.
C. Permissive Exception
Finally, S.M. argues her strong bond with J.M. should have precluded
termination. Section 232.116(3)(c) allows the court to forgo termination when
“[t]here is clear and convincing evidence that the termination would be detrimental
to the child at the time due to the closeness of the parent-child relationship.” S.M.
bears the burden to persuade us to apply this factor. In re A.S., 906 N.W.2d 467,
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475–76 (Iowa 2018). The social worker testified J.M. recognizes S.M. and knows
S.M. is his mother. But we see no evidence of a bond that would cause J.M. harm
if severed. And S.M.’s claim of a bond is belied by J.M. being removed from her
care only months after his birth, visitations being supervised, her failure to attend
even half her scheduled visitations and the mixed reports of her performance
during those interactions. We will not apply this exception to preclude termination.
Accordingly, we find no grounds to reverse on the mother’s appeal, and affirm
termination of her parental rights.
V. FATHER
C.B. makes several arguments challenging the termination of his rights. We
find his appeal can be resolved on one contention, and we need not address the
others.
C.B. contends the juvenile court should have given him a six-month
extension to receive reunification services. C.B. testified S.M. told him he was the
father in July or August, and the department did not get in touch until January.5
S.M. testified she told C.B. he was the father when J.M. was born. In any case,
there was no confirmation of his paternity until March 21, 2023. C.B. testified that
when they first found out, his fiancée disagreed with him being involved with J.M.
The department had confirmed an allegation of child abuse against C.B. the
previous fall for using marijuana while caring for the child he had with his fiancée.
C.B. declined services when offered on March 28 and said he wanted to give up
his parental rights to J.M. Just fourteen days later, on April 11, the State filed the
5This is contrary to the department records which show he was notified in
December 2022 that he may be J.M.’s father and a paternity test was requested.
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termination petition against both parents. The court appointed C.B. an attorney on
May 3, nine days before the termination hearing. And around seven days before
the termination hearing, the social worker went to the jail to obtain C.B.’s voluntary
resignation of parental rights. But C.B. declined and told her he wanted to start
reunification services.
At the termination hearing, with his attorney, C.B. asked for both a
continuance of the hearing and an extension of permanency to work toward
reunification. The court said:
[T]his continuance should not be interpreted in any way as an
extension of time for [C.B.] to work on reunification or
placement. . . . This child has been out of the home six
months. . . . This child deserves permanency. I understand father’s
paternity was established in March, however, if he was in a
relationship that resulted in a pregnancy, he has an obligation to
investigate. There’s nothing in the record that indicates he did that.
So at this point, the continuance would be for [father’s counsel] to
prepare.
In its termination order, the court found “C.[B.] refused to engage in any services
after paternity was established. It appears he has only met the child briefly on one
unauthorized occasion . . . .”
We are mindful that there was a short time between C.B. getting the
paternity results and his arrest for probation violations. The circumstances show
the need for removal could end in six months. There are also reasons in the record
to be concerned about C.B.’s parenting. In the CINA case, his fiancée reported to
the department that although he is a “good dad” and “very good to be around when
he is clean,” she would not let C.B. be alone unsupervised with the children until
he had shown “a lengthy time of sobriety.” And it is evident from the record that
C.B. has a substance-abuse problem that he needs to address. C.B. has only had
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one short, unplanned visit with J.M. and made no further inquiry to set up visits.
When making the decision of the child’s long term best interests, we look to the
parents’ past performance because it may indicate the quality of care the parent
can provide in the future. In re C.K., 558 N.W.2d 170, 172 (Iowa 1997).
We balance the foregoing with C.B. only serving contempt time for probation
violations of fifty-six days in jail, not probation revocation and imposition of his
lengthy incarceration. He was scheduled to be released in late June. And the
other child abuse allegation occurred eight months before termination. The
department worker testified she spoke to the other case worker, who reported C.B.
was “consistent with meeting with the department” in that case but had “not been
consistent in family centered services and/or solution-based casework.” The
caseworker also reported she meets with CB once a week, he's working on his
sobriety and mental health, and his intentions with the children are good.
Also, although the court took judicial notice of a prior CINA proceeding, that
case closed in 2020, well before the events here. And, at most, the department
worker testified C.B. could not be reunited with J.M. on that day, but “would have
to provide a pattern of sobriety and stability before that would be a consideration.”
Still, there is nothing in the record showing C.B. has received substance-abuse-
treatment services or that he could not succeed in such services. Indeed, there
has been no assessment of what the full concerns are in this case because he was
only positively identified as the father seven weeks before the termination hearing.
The juvenile court and the State would impose an obligation on an
unconfirmed potential father to seek out services with the department and pursue
a relationship with a child even though testing had not established paternity. The
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evidence of when C.B. knew he was a potential father is mixed, and he was
apparently skeptical. Until December, S.M. and the department believed a
different man was J.M.’s father. Still, when informed, C.B. willingly participated in
paternity testing. It is troubling that after paternity confirmation in March, he stated
that he wanted to forfeit his parental rights. But he had only been confirmed as the
father for a few days. And the department’s efforts seemed to focus more intently
on S.M., given they expected C.B. to forfeit his rights based on statements he
made before he had the benefit of legal advice.
Under these unique facts we find C.B.’s request to pursue reunification
should be granted. J.M.’s placement should continue for another six months from
the date of procedendo to give C.B. an opportunity to receive appropriate visitation
and services and demonstrate he can be a sober and safe parent.
AFFIRMED ON MOTHER’S APPEAL; REVERSED AND REMANDED ON
FATHER’S APPEAL.
Tabor, P.J., concurs; Buller, J., partially dissents.
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BULLER, Judge. (concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I join the majority in affirming termination of the mother’s parental rights.
But I dissent from the decision to grant the father an additional six months to work
toward reunification.
Under our case law, “the juvenile court may deny termination and give the
parent an additional six months for reunification only if the need for removal ‘will
no longer exist at the end of the additional six-month period.’” In re W.T., 967
N.W.2d 315, 323 (Iowa 2021) (emphasis added) (quoting Iowa Code
§ 232.104(2)(b) (2021)). On this record, I cannot find that the need for removal will
no longer exist after six months.
As of termination, the father was in jail serving a contempt sentence for
numerous probation violations related to ongoing substance abuse and failure to
attend appointments and services. I do not share the majority’s reasoning that,
because a district judge ordered the less-severe punishment of contempt for those
probation violations (instead of revocation and prison on Class “C” drug-related
felonies), there will be less need for termination six months down the road. Instead,
this evidence demonstrates to me the father’s continuing inability to maintain
sobriety.
The father’s controlled-substance abuse weighs most heavily in my mind
against granting additional time. In the year leading up to termination, the father’s
probation officer documented at least ten positive drug tests for cocaine and at
least six positive drug tests for marijuana or THC. The father also missed at least
four drug-testing appointments, which we can presume also would have been
positive for one or more controlled substances. See In re C.G., No. 22-1948, 2023
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WL 1809988, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. Feb. 8, 2023) (citing In re R.A., No. 21-0746,
2021 WL 4891011, at *1 (Iowa Ct. App. Oct. 20, 2021)). These test results are
consistent with the father’s admissions to regularly smoking marijuana and using
cocaine. As the majority acknowledges, the father has not addressed his
substance-abuse problems, and his fiancée previously reported he should not be
left unsupervised with his children until he showed a “lengthy time of sobriety.”
This apprehension is based on his past abuse of smoking marijuana while caring
for his other children. In my reading of the record, I see no evidence the father has
engaged in any substance-abuse treatment or has any prospect of doing so in the
future. This is the kind of “unresolved, severe, and chronic drug addiction” that we
have long recognized “can render a parent unfit to raise children.” In re A.B., 815
N.W.2d 764, 776 (Iowa 2012). And given the father’s inconsistency in embracing
services when offered, there is no reason to think these longstanding concerns will
abate on their own after six additional months.
In the end, while I understand the majority opinion’s inclination to give the
father more time, “[i]t is simply not in the best interests of children to continue to
keep them in temporary foster homes while the natural parents get their lives
together.” In re C.K., 558 N.W.2d 170, 175 (Iowa 1997). Because I do not find a
sufficient basis to reverse the juvenile court’s denial of a six-month extension, I
dissent from that portion of the majority opinion.