In the Interest of M.W. and Z.W., Minor Children, R.W., Mother

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF IOWA
No. 15–1256
Filed March 4, 2016
IN THE INTEREST OF M.W. AND Z.W.,
Minor Children,
R.W., Mother,
Appellant.
On review from the Iowa Court of Appeals.
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County, Julie A.
Schumacher, Judge.
The juvenile court terminated a mother’s parental rights to her two
children. The State appeals a court of appeals decision affirming the
juvenile court’s termination of parental rights for one child and reversing
the termination of parental rights for the other child. DECISION OF
COURT OF APPEALS AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN PART;
JUVENILE COURT JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
David A. Dawson, Sioux City (until withdrawal), then Theresa
Rachel of Deck Law, L.L.P., Sioux City, for appellant.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, Kathrine S. Miller-Todd,
Assistant Attorney General, Patrick A. Jennings, County Attorney, and
Dewey P. Sloan, Assistant County Attorney, for appellee.
2
ZAGER, Justice.
The juvenile court terminated a mother’s parental rights to two of
her children. The court of appeals affirmed the termination of parental
rights to one of the children and reversed as to the other. The State
appeals and requests that we affirm the juvenile court’s termination of
parental rights for both children. After our de novo review of the record,
we conclude that the juvenile court order terminating parental rights to
M.W. under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h) (2013) was proper. We
therefore affirm the decision of the court of appeals to the extent it
confirmed the termination of parental rights to M.W. However, we
reverse the decision of the court of appeals as to Z.W. and conclude that
termination of parental rights to Z.W. under Iowa Code section
232.116(1)(h) was also proper and supported by clear and convincing
evidence in the record. We affirm the court of appeals on all other
grounds.
I. Background Facts and Proceedings.
R.W. is the mother and M.D.W. is the father of M.W. and Z.W. (the
children). Both parents’ parental rights to the children were terminated
in July 2015. 1 M.W. was born in April 2013 and Z.W. was born in March
2012, making them two years old and three years old at the time of the
termination hearing.
The family came to the attention of Child Protective Services (CPS)
on or around April 29, 2014, after the children’s younger sibling L.W.
died while under the supervision of their father. 2 M.D.W. reported that
1The parental rights of M.D.W. to M.W. and Z.W. were terminated at the same
time as those of R.W., but M.D.W. did not appeal the termination order. Thus, we only
address the termination of parental rights as to R.W.
2M.D.W. was charged with three counts of neglect of a dependent person in
violation of Iowa Code section 726.3, one count of child endangerment resulting in the
death of a child in violation of Iowa Code section 726.6(4), and one count of child
3
he awoke at noon to find L.W. unresponsive. M.D.W. arrived at Unity
Point Hospital in Sioux City with L.W. at approximately 2:20 p.m. He
reported that the reason he did not call an ambulance for L.W. was that
there was an active arrest warrant for him in Woodbury County. By the
time M.D.W. arrived at the hospital with L.W., full rigor mortis had set
in. Hospital personnel estimated that the time of death was four hours
prior to arriving at the hospital. When L.W. arrived at the hospital, he
was wearing filthy clothes that reeked of urine and feces, was unbathed,
and had a number of sores around his neck. As described by the
juvenile court, the autopsy report noted that L.W.
had a wizened appearance with skin tenting and sunken
eyes, . . . [and] failure to thrive with all growth parameters
below the fifth percentile. The report further noted
contusions and abrasions on the 2-month-old infant’s
hands, further noting the post-mortem chemistry was
consistent with severe dehydration. The report indicated the
cause of death as malnutrition and dehydration due to
neglect, with [the] manner of death being homicide.
Although L.W. was approximately two months old at the time of his
death, R.W. reported that he may have only received three baths in his
life because she was often too tired after returning home from work to
bathe him. She also reported only giving L.W. bottles of sugar water on
numerous occasions.
On the same day L.W. was brought to the hospital, law
enforcement and CPS officers executed a removal order and removed the
children from the home. The children were placed in foster care with
nonrelatives. The same day that the children were removed from their
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endangerment resulting in the bodily injury of a child in violation of Iowa Code section
726.6(6). R.W. was charged with one count of child endangerment resulting in the
death of a child in violation of Iowa Code section 726.6(4), and three counts of neglect of
a dependent person in violation of Iowa Code section 726.3. Her trial was still pending
at the time of the termination hearing.
4
parents’ care, law enforcement and CPS officers went to the apartment
where R.W., M.D.W., and the children had been residing. The
investigators described the conditions of the home as deplorable. On
May 1, Dr. Jung visited the apartment with law enforcement officers. He
reported,
I inspected all rooms of the residence. I inspected the
bedroom where the parents slept. I inspected the children’s
bedding in their bedroom. I inspected the bathroom which
was very foul smelling with hundreds of flies and gnats
surrounding a substantial pile of very old and putrid
smelling soiled diapers.
The children’s bedding was caked with soiling and
matted dirt, debris, and body fluid. There was a very strong
stench coming from the children’s bedroom. Scatter[ed]
throughout the floor on the carpet of the entire apartment
were discarded used food containers and garbage which
made it difficult to walk through. The carpet was stained
and smelled of rotting feces and decaying vegetables and
food products. All surfaces, including chairs, floors, and
bedding were in an extremely filthy, putrid, and unhealthy
state. The stench was sickening and clearly was not safe to
inhabit by anyone.
It would be my medical opinion that this apartment
was not in a safe living condition for anyone, but particularly
small dependent children who would be at serious medical
and health risk by living in this squalor, filth and fly/gnat
infested environment. The conditions of this home are
beyond what one could appreciate with a photograph. The
stench, the flies, the gnats, carpet, bedding, the trash, the
rotting dirty diapers from months previous created a garbage
dump odor and appearance. The conditions of this
apartment as stated previous[ly are] not safe for children to
be residing in to maintain a minimum level of health and
safety.
Additionally, the landlord had sent R.W. a number of letters about
the condition of her apartment. The landlord inspected the apartment in
January and February 2014 and observed a strong odor, garbage around
the apartment, soiled carpet, and dirty dishes everywhere. He gave R.W.
time to clean the apartment and scheduled a re-inspection in March.
5
R.W. refused the landlord’s employee entry to the apartment when it
came time for the re-inspection. Following Dr. Jung’s inspection on May
1, R.W. cleaned her apartment. The landlord reported that R.W. had
cleaned the apartment and obtained new furniture as of May 13.
Following their removal, hair stat tests were performed on the
children. M.W. tested positive for cannabinoids and carboxy-THC. Z.W.
tested positive for cannabinoids, carboxy-THC, and native THC. A test
was also performed on the deceased L.W., who tested positive for
amphetamines, methamphetamine, cannabinoids, carboxy-THC, and
native THC. R.W. initially admitted that both she and M.D.W. had
substance abuse problems. She stated that she only used marijuana
and denied the use of any amphetamines. However, she did
acknowledge that she was uncertain what drugs she had ingested on a
number of occasions because “[M.D.W.] would load the pipes and she
would not necessarily know what was being loaded in the pipe.” She also
admitted that she had given M.D.W. money in the past to buy marijuana
to calm his nerves and to buy Adderall so he would be able to stay awake
while watching the children. M.D.W. was on probation at the time of the
children’s removal, and his probation officer collected a urine sample.
This urinalysis tested positive for THC. M.D.W. admitted to using
Adderall and signed an admission that the last time he used marijuana
was on or around April 26. M.D.W. also has a history of domestic abuse
assaults. R.W. was the victim of at least two domestic assaults by
M.D.W. On at least one occasion, all three children were present in the
apartment when M.D.W. assaulted R.W.
M.D.W. was the primary caretaker of the three children while R.W.
was at work. However, R.W. acknowledged that she knew M.D.W. was
not providing an adequate level of care for the children while she was at
6
work, and she did nothing to remedy the situation. R.W. told CPS that
M.D.W. would stay up all night playing video games and sleep during the
day instead of taking care of the three children. She said that she knew
the children were not being fed properly, were not being bathed, and
were being neglected by M.D.W. CPS noted in its investigative report
that “[R.W.] was fully aware of the type of care [the children] were
receiving from [M.D.W.] and she did nothing to protect her children.”
A temporary removal hearing was held on May 8 for M.W. and Z.W.
After the hearing, custody of the children remained with the Department
of Human Services (DHS) for placement in foster care, subject to
visitation at DHS discretion. The juvenile court found that it would be
contrary to the welfare of the children for them to be in the custody of
their parents. On May 28, CPS finished its investigation into the
conditions giving rise to the children’s removal. The report confirmed the
allegations as to M.W., Z.W., and L.W. for: (1) the denial of critical care
for failure to provide adequate shelter, adequate supervision, or adequate
health care; and (2) the presence of illegal drugs in the body of a child.
R.W. obtained a substance abuse evaluation. The substance
abuse evaluation recommended that she enroll in residential-level care,
followed by a half-way house or intensive outpatient treatment. R.W. did
not follow this recommendation and instead chose to participate in
intensive outpatient treatment. She began treatment on May 13, and the
record reveals that her participation remained consistent. Her therapist
rated her at a moderate risk for relapse and recommended that she
remain in the intensive outpatient program. R.W. also underwent a
psychiatric evaluation on May 28. She was diagnosed with Major
Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD), and Dependent Personality Disorder. She was
7
prescribed medications to help with her nightmares and PTSD
symptoms, and her evaluator recommended that she attend therapy on a
regular basis.
On May 29, the juvenile court held a combined temporary removal
and adjudication hearing. In an order filed June 2, the court noted that
R.W. had stipulated to the statutory grounds for adjudication but not the
factual grounds. The court found that there was clear and convincing
evidence that M.W. and Z.W. were children in need of assistance (CINA)
pursuant to the statutory grounds as alleged in the petition filed by the
State on May 1 and the amended petition filed by the State on May 2.
The grounds alleged in the State’s amended petition included Iowa Code
sections 232.2(6)(b), .2(6)(c)(2) and .2(6)(n). The juvenile court noted that
all parties were in agreement with the pre-dispositional
recommendations. Neither parent appealed the CINA adjudication order.
On the same day that the children were adjudicated CINA, the
juvenile court denied R.W.’s request to place the children in the care of
their maternal aunt and her spouse. The juvenile court noted as a
potential concern the fact that the aunt had visited the apartment
sixteen days before L.W.’s death and reported that she believed the
apartment was clean and that she saw nothing wrong with L.W. The
aunt and her spouse did eventually complete foster care classes and
were licensed as foster parents. They took physical custody of M.W. and
Z.W. in February 2015.
After the CINA adjudication, R.W. underwent another psychological
evaluation with Dr. Michael Baker. R.W. reported no history of therapy
but indicated she took Lexapro in the past for approximately one month
due to feeling overwhelmed taking care of three young children. She
reported having suicidal thoughts in the past and cutting herself to gain
8
attention. Both of these statements are contrary to what she told her
original evaluator. Dr. Baker summarized his evaluation of R.W., stating,
[R.W.] generally reports a non-traumatic childhood
background, a fairly responsible work history, an intellectual
and educational level of at least average, and yet remained in
this very co-dependent, abusive arrangement with obvious
lack of care for her children . . . . While feeling overwhelmed
by the situation of childcare, employment, and the
dysfunction of a substance abusing, non-responsible acting
father to her children, she did not approach any constructive
options for change, but continued to return to the same
dysfunctional, unhealthy and disastrous situation for herself
and her children.
....
[R.W.’s] extreme poor judgment not only for her own
emotional health regarding [her relationship with M.D.W.],
but more so lack of addressing the severe needs present for
the children, particularly in the absence initially of
emotional/mental illness or more severe substance abuse,
suggests a lack of benefit from mental health/substance
treatment. While issues are now present to be treated,
reunification with her children is questionable. The
continued lack of normal maternal interest in their care
(nutrition, medical, safety, etc.) strongly suggests attributes
resistance to change.
Dr. Baker diagnosed R.W. with Depressive Disorder NOS and Cluster C–
Dependent Personality Features. CPS has noted concerns that R.W. “is
doing all that is requested in a short time period, and possibly not
internalizing everything she is learning and working on. [She is]
[p]ossibly just going through the motions and checking off things on her
to do list.” However, R.W. attended grief therapy after the death of L.W.,
and her therapist recommended reunification because R.W. has “better
self-esteem and love for herself.” There is no evidence in the record
regarding whether the grief therapist was informed of the circumstances
surrounding L.W.’s death.
9
On November 7, the State filed its petition for termination of
parental rights concerning M.W. and Z.W. In the petition, the State pled
that the parent–child relationship between R.W. and the children should
be terminated pursuant to Iowa Code sections 232.116(1)(d), (h) and (i). 3
The petition also set forth specific facts and reasons in support of
termination. Some of the facts the petition alleged in support of
3Iowa Code section 232.116(1) provides in relevant part:
[T]he court may order the termination of both the parental rights with
respect to a child and the relationship between the parent and the child
on any of the following grounds:
...
d. The court finds that both of the following have occurred:
(1) The court has previously adjudicated the child to be a child in
need of assistant after finding the child to have been physically or
sexually abused or neglected as the result of the acts or omissions of one
or both parents, or the court has previously adjudicated a child who is a
member of the same family to be a child in need of assistance after such
a finding.
(2) Subsequent to the child in need of assistance adjudication, the
parents were offered or received services to correct the circumstances
which led to the adjudication, and the circumstance continues to exist
despite the offer or receipt of services.
...
h. 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.
i. The court finds that all of the following have occurred:
(1) The child meets the definition of child in need of assistance
based on a finding of physical or sexual abuse or neglect as a result of
the acts or omissions of one or both parents.
(2) There is clear and convincing evidence that the abuse or
neglect posed a significant risk to the life of the child or constituted
imminent danger to the child.
(3) There is clear and convincing evidence that the offer or receipt
of services would not correct the conditions which led to the abuse or
neglect of the child within a reasonable period of time.
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termination included the following: that both children were three years of
age or younger; R.W.’s history of only supervised visitation; that R.W.
struggled to parent all three children at once; that the children exhibited
negative behavior following visitation; that R.W. made progress with
substance abuse treatment but made limited progress with mental
health treatment; the psychiatrist’s statement that “continued lack of
normal maternal interest in her children’s care (nutrition, medical,
safety, etc.) strongly suggests attributes resistant to change” and his
conclusion that “reunification with her children is questionable”; and
behavior indicative of the mother’s persistent lack of judgment and co-
dependence. 4 Even with on-going services being provided to R.W., the
State alleged that the conditions which led to the removal of the children
and CINA adjudication could not be corrected within a reasonable period
of time and that the children could not be returned to the mother’s
custody.
The hearing on the termination petition came before the juvenile
court on May 8, 2015, and the court issued its order on July 7. In that
order, the court concluded that each of the statutory grounds advanced
by the State in its petition for termination of parental rights as to M.W.
and Z.W. was supported by clear and convincing evidence. See id.
§ 232.117(3). The juvenile court also concluded that M.W and Z.W.
could not be returned to the care of their mother. Finally, it concluded
that it was in the best interest of each of the children to terminate the
parent–child relationships so that they will have the opportunity to grow
and mature in a safe, healthy, and stimulating environment. In its
4R.W. had become pregnant very soon after the death of L.W. D.W. was born in
March 2015. Additionally, T.W., the putative father of D.W., has a history of child
abuse and exhibits controlling behavior with R.W.
11
order, judgment and decree, the juvenile court terminated the parental
rights to M.W. and Z.W. pursuant to sections 232.116(1)(d) and (i). It
also terminated the parental rights to M.W.—but not Z.W.—pursuant to
section 232.116(1)(h). R.W. appealed, and we transferred the case to the
court of appeals. The court of appeals affirmed the termination of
parental rights to M.W., but reversed the termination of parental rights
to Z.W. The State applied for further review, which we granted.
II. Standard of Review.
In termination of parental rights cases, we review the proceedings
de novo. In re A.M., 843 N.W.2d 100, 110 (Iowa 2014). “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.” Id. (quoting
In re D.W., 791 N.W.2d 703, 706 (Iowa 2010)). There must be clear and
convincing evidence of the grounds for termination of parental rights.
D.W., 791 N.W.2d at 706; see Iowa Code § 232.117(3). Evidence is
considered clear and convincing “when there are no ‘serious or
substantial doubts as to the correctness [of] conclusions of law drawn
from the evidence.’ ” Id. (quoting In re C.B., 611 N.W.2d 489, 492 (Iowa
2000)). 5
III. Analysis.
Our review of termination of parental rights under Iowa Code
chapter 232 is a three-step analysis. D.W., 791 N.W.2d at 706. The first
step is to determine whether any ground for termination under section
232.116(1) has been established. Id. If we find that a ground for
termination has been established, then we determine whether the best-
5This oft-quoted language suffers from a malignant sixteen-year-old typo. By
following the quotation all the way back to its inception, we note it is meant to read “the
correctness of conclusions of law.” See Raim v. Stancel, 339 N.W.2d 621, 624 (Iowa Ct.
App. 1983).
12
interest framework as laid out in section 232.116(2) supports the
termination of parental rights. Id. at 706–07. Finally, if we do find that
the statutory best-interest framework supports the termination of
parental rights, we consider whether any exceptions in section
232.116(3) apply to preclude termination of parental rights. Id. at 707.
A. Error Preservation. Here, we are confronted with a unique
situation. The order, judgment, and decree from the juvenile court is
internally inconsistent regarding the grounds relied on in terminating the
parental rights to M.W. and Z.W. After an exhaustive review of the facts,
the juvenile court notes that under Iowa law, the court may order
termination of parental rights if there is clear and convincing evidence to
support any of the grounds for termination as set forth in Iowa Code
section 232.116. The juvenile court then concludes that “each of the
statutory grounds advanced by the State in its Petition for Termination of
Parental Rights as to [M.W.] and [Z.W.] is supported by clear and
convincing evidence.” (Emphasis added.) The State’s petition for
termination requested that R.W.’s rights to both M.W. and Z.W. be
terminated under Iowa Code sections 232.116(1)(d), (h), and (i).
However, in the order, judgment, and decree section of the termination
order, the juvenile court ordered that the parental rights to M.W. be
terminated under all three sections but the parental rights to Z.W. be
terminated only under sections 232.116(1)(d) and (i). The juvenile court
provides no explanation as to why it applied section 232.116(1)(h) only to
M.W. and not to Z.W.
The court of appeals first analyzed whether the parental rights to
the children could be properly terminated pursuant to Iowa Code
sections 232.116(1)(d) and (i). Each of these code provisions require
“physical abuse or neglect” or “abuse or neglect,” which both the code
13
and this court have defined as meaning “any nonaccidental physical
injury suffered by a child as the result of the acts or omissions of the
child’s parent, guardian, or custodian or other person legally responsible
for the child.” Iowa Code § 232.2(42); In re J.S., 846 N.W.2d 36, 41 (Iowa
2014). The court of appeals concluded that the record contained no
evidence that either of the children suffered a “nonaccidental physical
injury” that would support the termination of parental rights pursuant to
these code sections. We agree and affirm the court of appeals in this
regard. We also affirm the court of appeals on R.W.’s other numerous
contentions of claimed error by the juvenile court.
However, the court of appeals declined to consider the termination
of parental rights to Z.W. under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h).
Procedurally, the State did not file an Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure
1.904(2) 6 motion to modify the termination order, nor did it file a cross-
appeal seeking appellate review of the termination order with regard to
the distinction between M.W. and Z.W. under section 232.116(1)(h). The
court of appeals cited to a previous case, In re A.R., wherein the court of
appeals held that it would not terminate parental rights on a ground not
relied upon by the juvenile court when the State did not file either a rule
1.904(2) motion or a cross-appeal. 865 N.W.2d 619, 629–30, 633 (Iowa
Ct. App. 2015). However, because our holding in this case in contrary to
the court of appeals’ conclusion, we overrule In re A.R. to the extent it
held a rule 1.904(2) motion or cross-appeal was required for it to
6Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.904(2) provides,
On motion joined with or filed within the time allowed for a motion for
new trial, the findings and conclusions may be enlarged or amended and
the judgment or decree modified accordingly or a different judgment or
decree substituted. But a party, on appeal, may challenge the
sufficiency of the evidence to sustain any finding without having objected
to it by such motion or otherwise.
14
consider alternate grounds for affirmance that were raised before the
juvenile court.
Under our general rules of appellate review, “[w]e are obliged to
affirm an appeal where any proper basis appears for a trial court’s ruling,
even though it is not one upon which the court based its holding.” State
v. Maxwell, 743 N.W.2d 185, 192 (Iowa 2008) (quoting Citizens First Nat’l
Bank v. Hoyt, 297 N.W.2d 329, 332 (Iowa 1980)). Although this court
has not yet had the opportunity to apply this general rule of appellate
review to termination-of-parental-rights cases, the court of appeals has
done so. See, e.g., In re T.N.M., 542 N.W.2d 574, 575 (Iowa Ct. App.
1995). 7 Nevertheless, “[o]ur cases are legion which hold that a trial court
may be affirmed on grounds upon which it does not rely.” Johnston
Equip. Corp. of Iowa v. Indus. Indem., 489 N.W.2d 13, 17 (Iowa 1992). It
is when a party does not present an issue to the district court that we
decline to decide the issue. See City of Postville v. Upper Explorerland
Reg’l Planning Comm’n, 834 N.W.2d 1, 8 (Iowa 2013).
Further, the State was not required to file a cross-appeal for us to
consider whether parental rights to Z.W. may be terminated under
section 232.116(1)(h). “It is well-settled law that a prevailing party can
raise an alternative ground for affirmance on appeal without filing a
notice of cross-appeal, as long as the prevailing party raised the
alternative ground in the district court.” Duck Creek Tire Serv., Inc. v.
Goodyear Corners, L.C., 796 N.W.2d 886, 893 (Iowa 2011); see also
Moyer v. City of Des Moines, 505 N.W.2d 191, 193 (Iowa 1993) (“A
successful party, without appealing, may attempt to save a judgment on
7The court of appeals has also applied this principle in a number of unpublished
termination of parental rights cases. See, e.g., In re J.B., No. 08–1557, 2009 WL
1140492, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. March 11, 2009).
15
appeal based on grounds urged in the district court but not considered
by that court.”). We have previously noted that “a successful party need
not cross-appeal to preserve error on a ground urged but ignored or
rejected” in the trial court. EnviroGas, L.P. v. Cedar Rapids/Linn Cty.
Solid Waste Agency, 641 N.W.2d 776, 781 (Iowa 2002) (quoting Johnston
Equip. Corp., 489 N.W.2d at 16). “This is because a party need not, in
fact cannot, appeal from a favorable ruling.” Johnston Equip. Corp., 489
N.W.2d at 16. Therefore, we hold the prevailing party in a termination-
of-parental-rights action need not file a cross-appeal or a rule 1.904(2)
motion to assert an alternative ground for affirmance on appeal that was
raised before the juvenile court.
In this case, the State was the prevailing party in the juvenile court
because the court ultimately terminated parental rights to both M.W.
and Z.W. The State also properly raised the grounds for termination
under all three sections of Iowa Code section 232.116 as to both children
before the juvenile court. Therefore, the State was not required to file a
cross-appeal or a rule 1.904(2) motion in this case in order for the court
of appeals or this court to consider whether the parental rights to Z.W.
may be terminated under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h). The juvenile
court concluded that “each of the statutory grounds . . . is supported by
clear and convincing evidence” for both children. (Emphasis added.) We
are therefore free to consider the ground for termination under
232.116(1)(h) equally for both children.
B. Whether Termination is Appropriate. The juvenile court
concluded that there was clear and convincing evidence to support the
termination of parental rights under three provisions of Iowa Code
section 232.116. We have already addressed the inapplicability of two of
these code provisions—sections 232.116(1)(d) and (i)—earlier in this
16
opinion. However, we still need to determine whether there is clear and
convincing evidence to support the remaining ground for termination of
the parental rights of R.W. to both M.W. and Z.W. under section
232.116(1)(h). See In re A.B., 815 N.W.2d 764, 774 (Iowa 2012) (“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
supported by the record.”).
1. Underlying basis for CINA adjudication. On June 2, the juvenile
court found that there was clear and convincing evidence that M.W. and
Z.W. were CINA pursuant to Iowa Code sections 232.2(6)(b), .2(6)(c)(2),
and .2(6)(n). Iowa Code section 232.2(6)(b) necessitates a finding that a
child is a CINA when the “parent, guardian, other custodian, or other
member of the household in which the child resides has physically
abused or neglected the child, or is imminently likely to abuse or neglect
the child.” Iowa Code § 232.2(6)(b). Section 232.2(6)(c)(2) provides that a
child should be adjudicated a CINA when they have suffered or are
imminently likely to suffer harmful effects due to “[t]he failure of the
child’s parent, guardian, custodian, or other member of the household in
which the child resides to exercise a reasonable degree of care in
supervising the child.” Id. § 232.2(6)(c)(2). Section 232.2(6)(n) requires
the juvenile court to adjudicate a child as a CINA if their “parent’s or
guardian’s mental capacity or condition, imprisonment, or drug or
alcohol abuse results in the child not receiving adequate care.” Id.
§ 232.2(6)(n). Pursuant to the Iowa Rules of Appellate Procedure, a
notice of appeal from an order adjudicating a child CINA must be filed
within fifteen days of the filing of the order or judgment. Iowa R. App. P.
6.101(1)(a). The order adjudicating M.W. and Z.W. as CINA was filed on
June 2. R.W. did not timely appeal the order adjudicating the children
17
as CINA, and thus the juvenile court’s adjudication order is conclusive.
See A.M., 843 N.W.2d at 111 (treating the second element as established
after the child in question had been adjudicated CINA).
2. Section 232.116(1)(h) analysis. The juvenile court concluded
that there were grounds for termination under Iowa Code section
232.116(1)(h). This code section provides that the juvenile court may
terminate parental rights if it finds that all four of the following
circumstances 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[8] at the present time.
Iowa Code § 232.116(1)(h). The juvenile court found there was clear and
convincing evidence on each of the above elements to warrant
termination for each of the children. The court of appeals agreed that
each of the above elements had been met as to M.W., warranting
termination. However, it failed to consider the same elements as to Z.W.
and reversed termination as to Z.W. under the other two provisions of
section 232.116.
Based on our de novo review of the record, we conclude there is
clear and convincing evidence that each of the four requirements of Iowa
8Iowa Code section 232.102 provides rules for how the juvenile court may
transfer the legal custody of children, in addition to how and where children may be
placed. Iowa Code § 232.102.
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Code section 232.116(1)(h) have been met for both M.W. and Z.W., and
the grounds for termination were proven. At the time of the termination
hearing, M.W. was two years old, born on April 13, 2013. Z.W. was three
years old, born on March 28, 2012. Both children were adjudicated
CINA in June 2014. No timely appeal was filed from the CINA
adjudication, which establishes element two. See A.M., 843 N.W.2d at
111 (treating the second element as established after the child in
question had been adjudicated CINA). The children were removed from
the physical custody of R.W. in April 2014. At the time of the
termination hearing, the children had been out of the physical custody of
R.W. for twelve consecutive months. The children have had no trial
period at home with R.W.
Finally, there is clear and convincing evidence in the record that at
the time of the termination hearing, the children could not be safely
returned to the custody of R.W. In reaching this conclusion, we note
that R.W. has never accepted responsibility for her actions in the death
of L.W. or assumed any responsibility for the removal of M.W. and Z.W.
from her home. Rather, she chooses to place the responsibility and
blame on M.D.W. Although R.W. has undergone substance abuse
treatment and mental health evaluations, she continues to exhibit the
same co-dependent behavior that led to her negative relationship with
M.D.W. Immediately after leaving the abusive relationship with M.D.W.,
R.W. began a relationship with T.W., who has a history of child abuse
and who threatened R.W. for attempting to set boundaries. This
behavior demonstrates that R.W. continues to make decisions without
thinking of the impact on her children.
Although R.W. has presented a clean apartment for her scheduled
CPS visits, she has refused entry to the apartment for unscheduled
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visits, raising concerns about the normal cleanliness level of her home.
Additionally, R.W. began working in April 2015. Although she did obtain
employment, concerns remain about her ability to support herself and
her children. Her employment began only one month before the
termination hearing. More significantly, throughout the proceedings
involving her children, R.W. provided little to no financial assistance for
M.W., Z.W., or D.W. This delay in finding regular employment reflects
her prior pattern of irresponsibility and lack of planning when it comes to
her children.
The record reflects that R.W. was unable to adequately supervise
all three children together during visitations and that M.W. and Z.W.
exhibited destructive and worrisome behavior following visits. After
supervised visitations, the children would bang their heads, scream,
kick, have night terrors, bite, and sleepwalk. Further, although R.W. has
requested increased visitation with her children, visits have never been
able to progress to either semi-supervised or unsupervised due to the
destructive behavior the children exhibited after their visits with R.W.
The record supports the juvenile court’s conclusion that there was “no
evidence to suggest that [R.W.] would do any better at parenting three
small children at [the time of the termination order], or at any time in the
foreseeable future, on her own.”
The juvenile court’s conclusion that the children cannot be safely
returned to the custody of R.W. is also supported by the statements
provided by the mental health care professionals and CPS workers
associated with the case. One of the mental health providers concluded
that R.W.’s “continued lack of normal maternal interest in [her children’s]
care (nutrition, medical, safety, etc.) strongly suggests attributes
resistant to change.” He thought that the prospect of R.W. reuniting with
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her children was “questionable.” CPS workers have noted that while
R.W. “is doing all that is requested in a short time period, [she is]
possibly not internalizing everything she is working on. [She is] possibly
just going through the motions and checking things off on her to do list.”
Upon our de novo review, we conclude that there is clear and
convincing evidence in the record that the children could not safely be
returned to the custody of R.W. under Iowa Code section 232.102 at the
time of the termination hearing. Therefore, we find there is clear and
convincing evidence in the record that meets the requirements of Iowa
Code 232.116(1)(h). The State has proven this ground supports the
termination of parental rights to M.W. and Z.W.
C. Best-Interest Analysis. Once we have established that at least
one ground for termination under 232.116(1) exists, the next step of our
analysis is to evaluate whether the termination of parental rights would
be in the best interest of the child under section 232.116(2). D.W., 791
N.W.2d at 706–07. When we consider whether parental rights should be
terminated, we “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); see also D.W., 791 N.W.2d
at 708. In making this determination, we may consider a number of
factors. D.W., 791 N.W.2d at 708. We may consider “[w]hether the
parent’s ability to provide [for] the needs of the child is affected by the
parent’s mental capacity or mental condition or the parent’s
imprisonment for a felony.” Iowa Code § 232.116(2)(a). If the children
have been placed in foster care, we consider the extent to which they
have become integrated into that family. Id. § 232.116(2)(b). For
integration, we look at how long the children have been living with the
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foster family, how continuity would affect the children, and the
preference of the children if they are capable of expressing a preference.
Id. § 232.116(2)(b)(1)–(2). Last, we may also consider statements of foster
parents or relatives with whom the children have been placed. Id.
§ 232.116(2)(c). We also note that when we evaluate whether termination
is in the child’s best interest,
[i]t is well-settled law that we cannot deprive a child of
permanency after the State has proved a ground for
termination under section 232.116(1) by hoping someday a
parent will learn to be a parent and be able to provide a
stable home for the child.
A.M., 843 N.W.2d at 112 (quoting In re P.L., 778 N.W.2d 33, 41 (Iowa
2010)).
Both M.W. and Z.W. have continued to reside with their maternal
aunt and her spouse since February 2015. Both children have
continued to meet proper developmental milestones. The juvenile court
found that their aunt and her spouse are able to provide for their
physical, emotional, and financial needs. The aunt and her spouse also
currently have physical custody of their younger half-sibling, D.W. The
children have adjusted well to the home. The juvenile court found that
the children were well integrated into the home. See Iowa Code
§ 232.116(2)(b). Further, the aunt and her spouse have expressed the
desire to adopt both M.W. and Z.W. if parental rights are terminated.
See id. § 232.116(2)(c). Upon our de novo review, we conclude that the
considerations in section 232.116(2) support the termination of parental
rights of R.W. to both M.W. and Z.W.
D. Exceptions. Once we have established that the termination of
parental rights is in the children’s best interests, the last step of our
analysis is to determine whether any exceptions in section 232.116(3)
22
apply to preclude the termination. D.W., 791 N.W.2d at 707. There are
five exceptions to a finding of termination:
a. A relative has legal custody of the child.
b. The child is over ten years of age and objects to the
termination.
c. There 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.
d. It is necessary to place the child in a hospital,
facility, or institution for care and treatment and the
continuation of the parent-child relationship is not
preventing a permanent family placement for the child.
e. The absence of a parent is due to the parent’s
admission or commitment to any institution, hospital, or
health facility or due to active service in the state or federal
armed forces.
Iowa Code § 232.116(3). While a finding of any of these factors allows us
to choose not to terminate parental rights, “[t]he factors weighing against
termination in section 232.116(3) are permissive, not mandatory.” A.M.,
843 N.W.2d at 113 (quoting In re D.S., 806 N.W.2d 458, 474–75 (Iowa
Ct. App. 2011)). We may use our discretion, “based on the unique
circumstances of each case and the best interests of the child, whether to
apply the factors in this section to save the parent–child relationship.”
Id. (quoting D.S., 806 N.W. 2d at 475).
We first note that while there is certainly some bond between R.W.
and her children, the two children have remained outside of her care
since their original removal almost two years ago. The children are
young—ages two and three. The children act out negatively following
their visitation with R.W. For more than one year, R.W. has not
progressed beyond more than limited, supervised visits with the children.
Even some of these supervised visitations become overwhelming to R.W.
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The children are adoptable, and their maternal aunt and her spouse
have expressed the desire to adopt both M.W. and Z.W. The children
have achieved stability in their aunt’s home and continue to meet
developmental milestones. On our de novo review, we decline to find an
exception under section 232.116(3) renders termination improper.
IV. Conclusion.
We conclude that there is clear and convincing evidence to support
the termination of parental rights under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h)
as to both M.W. and Z.W. Additionally, termination of the parental rights
of R.W. is in the best interests of the children. Finally, we decline to
apply any of the exceptions precluding termination.
DECISION OF COURT OF APPEALS AFFIRMED IN PART AND
REVERSED IN PART; JUVENILE COURT JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.