In the Interest of C.C. and C.C., Minor Children, K.C., Mother

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 17-0323
Filed June 7, 2017
IN THE INTEREST OF C.C. and C.C.,
Minor Children,
K.C., Mother,
Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Appanoose County, William S.
Owens, Associate Juvenile Judge.
A mother appeals from the juvenile court’s permanency review order and
grant of concurrent jurisdiction to the district court. AFFIRMED.
Amanda M. Demichelis of Demichelis Law Firm, P.C., Chariton, for
appellant mother.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney
General, for appellee State.
Monte M. McCoy of McCoy Legal Services, Centerville, for father.
Debra A. George of Griffing & George Law Firm P.L.C., Centerville, for
minor children.
Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Potterfield and Bower, JJ.
2
DANILSON, Chief Judge.
A mother appeals from the juvenile court’s permanency review order and
grant of concurrent jurisdiction to the district court. Finding no reason to disturb
the court’s rulings, we affirm.
I. Background Facts & Proceedings.
The children at issue are Co.C., born in February 2008, and Cl.C., born in
August 2003. This family came to the attention of the department of human
services (DHS) when the district court provided a copy of the parents’ September
2014 dissolution decree. The decree outlined the court’s concerns regarding
domestic violence,1 the parents’ use of methamphetamine, the adequacy of the
supervision of the children, and the well-being of the children while in the care of
their parents. There was an existing protective order prohibiting the father from
contacting the mother. The dissolution decree placed the children in the
mother’s legal custody and physical care.2 A child-abuse assessment was
subsequently conducted by DHS, and the family began participating voluntarily
with services in late 2014.
On March 20, 2015, the children were removed from the mother’s physical
care by ex parte order due to the mother’s arrest on felony drug and theft
charges. A subsequent removal hearing placed the children in the father’s
1
According to the dissolution decree, the father was convicted of assault against the
mother in June 2014, and of third-degree burglary and possession of a firearm in August
2014. A criminal no-contact order was set to expire in June 2019.
2
The decree states, in part:
The parties agree that joint legal custody is not appropriate in this case,
and that one party or the other should be awarded sole legal custody and
primary physical care of the children. Each party very much wants to be
the parent awarded sole legal custody and primary physical care.
3
temporary legal custody and care, and the parents were ordered to participate in
random drug testing. The mother was ordered to obtain a substance-abuse
assessment and comply with all recommendations for treatment.
On April 9, following an uncontested hearing, the children were
adjudicated children in need of assistance (CINA) pursuant to Iowa Code section
232.2(6)(c)(2) and (n) (2015). The maternal grandparents’ motion to intervene
was granted as they had provided substantial care for the children in the past. 3
Temporary legal custody and placement of the children remained with father.
A May 28 dispositional order continued legal custody of the children with
the father, with the goal that the children would return to the mother’s custody.4
The family was receiving numerous services to address the substance-abuse
and domestic-violence concerns, including Family Safety, Risk, and Permanency
(FSRP) services; substance-abuse screening; domestic-violence services; and
parent partners. The father had completed a parenting program (“24/7 dads”)
and was participating in a batterers’ education program (BEP). The children
were engaged in individual counseling to deal with their emotional issues arising
from the parents’ discord and drug use.
An August 2015 review hearing was held. An August DHS report to the
court noted, in part: “This case may be safely closed when [the mother]
successfully completes substance abuse treatment, follows all professional
3
A case plan notes, “Although their mother had legal custody of [the children] per the
divorce decree prior to DHS involvement, she allowed the boys to stay with their
grandparents the majority of the time.”
4
The mother appealed the adjudication and disposition but voluntarily dismissed that
appeal.
4
recommendations, and resolves her criminal charges. [The mother and father]
need to continue to cooperate with DHS and FSRP services.” The juvenile
court’s review order noted that the court had been informed the mother had been
arrested recently, was in jail awaiting a hearing, and had a plea proceeding
scheduled that might result in her being placed at a halfway house facility.
The court also had before it the father’s motion for concurrent jurisdiction.
With regard to that motion, the court concluded:
Although [the mother] has incurred additional criminal charges the
department believes the permanency goal of returning the boys to
her care and custody can still be achieved. The boys are indeed
fortunate to have a father who is both capable and willing to serve
as their primary care giver while [the mother] works toward
regaining custody. If after a period of several more months it
appears [the mother] will not be able to secure the boys’ return to
her home, this court would likely then make more permanent orders
regarding the boys’ placement with their father. However, until
those decisions are made it would not be appropriate for this court
to relinquish its authority to make a custody determination.
The juvenile court ruled the children were to remain in the father’s care.
Another review hearing was held on December 3, 2015, and the court
adopted the November case plan submitted by DHS. In the case plan it was
noted that the mother needed to “continue to cooperate with DHS and FSRP
providers”; the father had “successfully completed BEP, Children in the Middle,
and attended Anger Management Counseling”; and the children were having
supervised visits with their mother at the jail and semi-weekly visits with the
maternal grandparents. The December review order noted the mother had
“resolved her criminal charges and will be, or is in the half-way house.” The court
ordered the children to remain with their father, found the children’s best interests
5
would not be served by granting the district court concurrent jurisdiction, and
ordered a further review hearing “in the next six months.”
A permanency hearing was scheduled for March 10, 2016.5 The March
2016 case plan update submitted by DHS recommended the children remain in
the father’s care and custody, concurrent jurisdiction be granted, and the
permanency goal be changed to guardianship with other parent. It was also
noted the mother had completed a substance-abuse evaluation but had just
begun substance-abuse treatment; the mother had completed orientation into
Family Treatment Court and was participating in substance-abuse meetings and
seeing a counselor. It was recommended the mother successfully complete
treatment and follow all professional recommendations and resolve her legal
issues.
Due to continuances, the permanency hearing was held over several days
in April and June 2016. The mother sought additional time to seek reunification.
She reported she was living with her parents and working at a jewelry store.
DHS and the children’s guardian ad litem (GAL) argued the children deserved
permanency in the care of their father.
The GAL strenuously objected to returning the children to the mother. In
her permanency brief, the GAL wrote:
1. Whether Mother’s substance abuse poses a risk to the children.
Mother testified on June 9, 2016, that at the time of her
March 2015 arrest, that she was using methamphetamine daily at a
rate of about half a gram per day. Mother further testified that she
was in denial of her drug abuse, despite several positive drug
5
The code requires an initial permanency hearing within twelve months of removal. See
Iowa Code § 232.104(1)(a)(1).
6
screens, until she was again arrested and jailed for a duration, on
or about September 1, 2015.
Mother also testified on June 9, 2016 that she has been over
280 days clean from substances, has completed treatment and is
“recovered.” She testified that in the past she was unable to quit
because she used due to withdrawal symptoms but that being
incarcerated kept her from using. She testified that she attends
one meeting per week, but not always. Her mother testifies that
she has often returned home late from the meeting, even close to
midnight. Her testimony showed no knowledge of how to stay
clean, what the 12 steps were, how to work the steps or the role of
a sponsor in a recovering addict’s recovery. While there is, at time
of conclusion of evidence, no information that Mother has used
since her release from incarceration in late February 2016, there is
also no indication that Mother has internalized any tools that would
cause her to stay clean. Mother testified that she plans to stay
clean by staying away from people with whom she used, although
she testified that she lives in the same home, engages in the same
employment, and socially meets with people with whom she has
used in their home. Relapse is a process, not necessarily an event.
Mother is in a precarious position with her recovery.
2. Whether Mother’s mental health poses a risk to the
children.
Mother testified that she was a victim of domestic abuse.
Social Worker Weldon testified that in conversations with mother
about the effects of domestic abuse, that she believed that Mother
should seek counseling for the after effects. Mother admitted a
report on June 9, 2016, that was an evaluation for mental health
therapy that stated that she was suffering from post-traumatic
stress disorder due to the domestic violence, but that no therapy
would be scheduled at this time. As with any evaluation for
services, the report is consistent with the information provided by
the subject and it appears that Mother is in denial about the effect
of her mental health trauma upon her current mental health status,
as Mother gives several inconsistent statements to the evaluator,
including that she used methamphetamines only during her
marriage and that Mother has court Monday “to determine whether
her children are going to remain in the CINA system.” Evidence . . .
that Mother had not moved past the emotional trauma or enmity
from the marriage was introduced several times including, Mother’s
attempt to have admitted an unintelligible audio tape kept on a
cellular phone what mother purported was domestic abuse and
evidence that Mother had followed [the father] and [Cl.C.] with her
vehicle and sped away at a high rate of speed. Mother clearly
shows enmity toward [the father] and has regularly put the children
in the middle of that toxic relationship. While [the father] has in the
past also put the children in the middle, he shows awareness of this
7
and a recent reduction in this action. In finding for a change in
permanency from Mother to Father’s custody, the Court in In re
N.M. and M.M., noted “Rather than thinking first of the children’s
need for a stable and secure home, [Mother] continues to use
visitation as an opportunity to disrupt and undermine the children’s
relationship with [Father] and [Father’s] family. [528 N.W.2d 94, 99
(Iowa 1995).] Social Worker Weldon and FSRP Provider Gail both
testified as to a recent event where [the mother] used visitation as
an opportunity to question a child as to whether a step-sibling in
Father’s home was using drugs, and then to report that as a
concern that came from the child to Social Worker Weldon. Such
manipulation for legal advantage is confusing to the child, who is
put in the middle, and undermines the child’s trust both in Father,
the safety of their current home, and the juvenile court system.
Mother’s desire to “get” [back at the father] is interfering with her
ability to put the children first and shows that she is not ready to
parent them full time.
3. Whether Mother’s criminal activity and/or incarceration
poses a risk to children.
Mother was incarcerated from approximately September 1,
2015 until February 24, 2016[,] and was incapable of providing care
during that time. Mother was incarcerated for criminal activity,
which, while it may be categorized under incarceration or under
[232.2(6)](c)(2), was a material factor in why Mother could not
parent the children. Mother testified that she had sold drugs.
Mother testified that [she] was convicted of drug charges and an
offense related to untruthfulness. Mother testified that she was in
denial of her criminal activity for many months. Mother testified that
she was in denial of her substance abuse for many months.
Mother testified that she was now “recovered.” Mother testified that
she did not need mental health therapy, although she admitted to
Social Worker Weldon that she did. Mother is out late at night.
Mother is driving erratically. There was a traffic stop of Mother
during the time that she was actively using and engaging in criminal
activity in which Mother was stopped in the wee hours of the night
driving almost 100 miles per hour. Mother is prohibited from having
weapons in the home. Mother has guns in the home. Mother is
prohibited from having contact with offenders. Mother was written
up in the halfway house for unauthorized contact. Mother owns
property with [T.W.], a known drug user and violent partner with
whom she and he had to be consequenced for communications in
violation of their corrections agreement. Mother again, did not stop
until it was brought to the court’s attention on April 14, 2016, when
she was “caught.” After she had been consequenced, she resorted
to lying, using her mother’s name to send letters and photographs
that Mother admitted she sent at [T.W.]’s request. Mother said she
did not need verifiable employment for her corrections officer, and
8
he testified she did. Mother is exhibiting some of the same
indications of lying and denial as when she was actively using and
engaging in criminal activities. Whether this is mental health, or
engaging in criminal activity or preparation to engage in criminal
activity, Mother is engaged in the same deception and denial as
created adjudicatory harms. These children cannot be returned to
her care now.
4. Whether Mother is capable of exercising a reasonable
degree of care.
Finally, Mother’s substance abuse, criminal activity, history
of domestic abuse, history of poor relationship choices, and
emotional issues due to those life choices led her to come to the
conclusion that the children would be better off in her parents’ care
much of the time. . . . The dental care which she provided those
children caused them unnecessary pain and refusing pain
medication from the hospital for clearly rotten teeth. Their Father
has now met their dental needs, as well as physical and mental
health needs. Also, the record showed that the children’s grades
have significantly improved since the children were placed with the
Father. Neglect of the children’s health and educational needs
meets the definitions of adjudicatory harm under [232.2(6)](c)(2).
While Mother states that she is free from substances, has
ceased criminal activities, is not in an abusive relationship, does not
need mental health therapy, and can have the children return to her
care, the record does not so reflect. Mother is out late at night.
Mother has a relationship with a new man with a history of use.
Mother is not in recovery for her emotional trauma from the
marriage.
Time will tell if Mother continues in recovery. I hope she
does. But taking a snapshot at June 9, 2016, the boys are not able
to return home. Mother has not progressed beyond supervised
visits. She only has three months of sobriety outside incarceration.
She claims she is recovered. She continued to engage in
manipulation and deception. She continues to have relationships
with persons with whom she had toxic and criminal relationships.
She stays out until midnight. She has not shown that she is
considering the children first and that she can meet their needs.
The GAL asserted additional time was not warranted.
On July 18, the juvenile court entered its permanency order noting, in part:
The professionals who have been involved with the family since
September 2014 acknowledge that both parents have a strong
bond with the children, but there is a history of [the father] and [the
mother] placing the children in the middle of their domestic discord.
According to the testimony [the father] has taken steps to identify
9
when those situations begin to arise and is moderating his
behavior. There continue to be concerns, however, with [the
mother’s] ability to set aside her animus toward [the father] when
interacting with the boys. In fact, the FSRP providers testified their
focus with [the mother] during visits is not in providing parenting
instruction or protecting the boys’ physical safety, but rather to
intercede if [the mother] begins inappropriate conversations with
the boys. All of the professionals currently working with the family
testified that while there are no risks to the boys’ physical safety
there continue to be concerns regarding their mental and emotional
safety. That being said, [the current DHS social worker and FSRP
worker] both acknowledge that those issues could be resolved or at
least diminished to a safer level with another six months of
services.
The court allowed the mother “additional time to work toward reunification with
the children,” and specifically adopted
the steps sections and recommendations sections of the case plan
filed March 8, 2016[,] as the specific factors, conditions, or
expected behavioral changes which comprise the basis for the
determination that the need for removal of the child from the child’s
home will no longer exist at the end of a six-month period.
Specifically, [the mother] shall continue participation in any after-
care recommended as a result of her completed substance abuse
treatment, continue participation in FSRP services, continue
participation in family therapy, refrain from adult conversation with
and around the children, participate in individual therapy as
recommended, abstain from the use of illegal drugs and alcohol,
and participate in random drug testing.
A permanency review hearing was set for October 2016.
In the interim, the children’s relationship with the mother deteriorated. The
children became reluctant to attend visits with their mother. The older child
expressed frustration with and distrust of his mother. The mother sought
permission from DHS to introduce the children to J.R., who the older child
understood to be involved with the local drug culture. J.R. was arrested in
September 2016. The car J.R. was driving on the date he was arrested
belonged to the mother. Police learned from J.R. that the mother had spent the
10
night at J.R.’s home the night before he was arrested.6 Searches of J.R.’s house
and the car J.R. was driving turned up drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm.
The mother claimed she did not know about J.R.’s involvement with drugs or
weapons before his arrest, and she informed DHS and her children she was no
longer involved with J.R. after his arrest. However, the older child reported
seeing her with J.R. thereafter.
The permanency review hearing was held on October 13 and December
1, 2016. On February 17, 2017, the juvenile court entered its order. We set forth
some of the juvenile court’s findings:
9. None of the professionals working with the family see that
there would be any risks to the boys’ physical safety were they
returned to [the mother]’s home (though the fact that [she] was
spending time—including overnight—with [J.R.] and that he was
found to have syringes, methamphetamine residue and a loaded
handgun are certainly concerning); however, there continue to be
concerns regarding the emotional well-being of the boys should
they be returned [the mother].
10. As recently as early October [Cl.C.] refused to attend a
visit with [the mother] because he felt she had lied to him about her
relationship with [J.R.] [Co.C.] has expressed he will not attend a
visit with his mother unless [Cl.C.] is also present because he does
not feel “safe.” ([Co.C.] is unable to articulate what he means by
“safe,” but is adamant in not attending visits without his brother).
[The mother] has at times had difficulty dealing with the boys’
feelings regarding visits, but she did appropriately channel her
disappointment over missing the visit in early October. This may
reflect that [the mother] is beginning to make the sorts of changes
the professionals believe [the father] has already achieved.
11. [The social worker] reports the boys are settled at their
father’s home, enjoy living there, and are doing well. [Cl.C.] has
certainly made it quite clear he has made a life for himself . . . with
his father and has no desire to return to his mother’s home.
Though he is five years [Cl.C.]’s junior, [Co.C.] also expresses that
6
Even though one condition of her probation was to have the prior consent from her
probation officer to sleep somewhere other than the home of her parents, the mother
had not obtained the necessary permission.
11
he does not want to return to his mother’s home. The [GAL] is
vigorous in her support of the boys remaining with their father.
....
13. It cannot be disputed that [the mother] has engaged in,
and continues to participate in services directed for her by the
juvenile court; however, on balance considering the recent
circumstances surrounding [J.R.’s] arrest, [the mother]’s response
to the arrest, her decision to continue her relationship with [J.R.],
the obvious progress and stability the boys have achieved in their
father’s home, the lack of any concerns with placement with their
father, the boys’ desire to remain with their father, and the
recommendation of the guardian ad litem the evidence fails to
establish that it would . . . [sic][7] be appropriate to allow the children
to return to the custody of their mother at this time pursuant to Iowa
Code Section 232.104(2)(a).
The juvenile court concluded that in light of the “length of time the boys
have been removed, the possibility they would suffer emotional harm if returned
to [the mother], and the boys’ credibly expressed preference that they want to
remain with their father,” “the long-term needs of the boys will best be met by
allowing them to remain with their father.” The court changed the permanency
goal to “placement with other parent,” placed the children in the father’s legal
custody, and granted concurrent jurisdiction to the district court.
The mother appeals.
II. Scope and Standard of Review.
We review permanency orders de novo. In re A.A.G., 708 N.W.2d 85, 90
(Iowa Ct. App. 2005). We review both the facts and the law and adjudicate rights
anew on the issues properly presented. In re K.C., 660 N.W.2d 29, 32 (Iowa
2003). We give weight to the juvenile court’s findings, but we are not bound by
them. Id. Our primary concern is the children’s best interests. Id.7
This sentence contained a double negative, which in light of the ruling indicates this
typographical error.
12
III. Discussion.
The mother argues the State has failed to meet its burden to show the
permanency goal should be changed from reunification with the mother. 8 She
contends the children could be returned to her at the time of the permanency
hearing and the risk of emotional harm was not a recognized adjudicatory harm.
She maintains the children’s “[n]ot wanting to be removed from a current
placement is not a valid argument” and the State failed to establish the children
were in need of permanency. In response, the GAL and the State assert the
State met its burden to transfer custody from one parent to the other under
section 232.104(2)(d)(2). We agree.
Section 232.104(2) states the juvenile court’s authority “[a]fter a
permanency hearing” and allows these alternatives:
(a) Enter an order pursuant to section 232.102 to return the
child to the child’s home.
(b) Enter an order pursuant to section 232.102 to continue
placement of the child for an additional six months at which time the
court shall hold a hearing to consider modification of its
permanency order. An order entered under this paragraph shall
enumerate the specific factors, conditions, or expected behavioral
changes which comprise the basis for the determination that the
need for removal of the child from the child’s home will no longer
exist at the end of the additional six-month period.
(c) Direct the county attorney or the attorney for the child to
institute proceedings to terminate the parent-child relationship.
(d) Enter an order, pursuant to findings required by
subsection 4, to do one of the following:
....
(2) Transfer sole custody of the child from one parent to
another parent.
8
Iowa Code section 232.104(1)(a), cited by the mother, sets the “time for the initial
permanency hearing,” which is to be held “within twelve months of the date the child was
removed from the home.” It is inapplicable to this case.
13
Pursuant to its authority under section 232.104(2)(d), the juvenile court
determined the custody of the children would be transferred to the father.
We must determine whether that transfer was proper pursuant to the
additional requirements of the section:
Prior to entering a permanency order pursuant to subsection
2, paragraph “d”, convincing evidence must exist showing that all of
the following apply:
(a) A termination of the parent-child relationship would not
be in the best interest of the child.
(b) Services were offered to the child’s family to correct the
situation which led to the child’s removal from the home.
(c) The child cannot be returned to the child’s home.
Iowa Code § 232.104(4).
“The State on a permanency hearing needs only show the children cannot
be returned by convincing evidence, not by both clear and convincing evidence.”
In re A.D., 489 N.W.2d 50, 52 (Iowa Ct. App.1992). We bear in mind always that
the children’s best interests are paramount. See Iowa Code § 232.1.
Here, convincing evidence establishes—and all parties agree—that
termination of the mother’s parental right would not be in the children’s best
interests and that numerous and relevant services have been offered to this
family since 2014, yet the same concerns noted by the GAL and workers
expressed at the initial permanency hearing remain.
The mother did not acknowledge her active use of methamphetamine until
her second arrest in September 2015. She failed to inform her workers of a June
2016 drug screen that tested positive until forced to do so. While we
acknowledge the screen was disposed of before the mother could have it
independently checked, we are more concerned with the continuation of the
14
mother’s mindset that undermines continued sobriety. The same concerns
expressed by DHS and the GAL at the initial permanency hearing—that the
mother had not been able to set aside her animus toward the father and put the
children’s needs first, and had not “internalized any tools that would cause her to
stay clean”—remained at the time of the permanency review hearing. The
mother’s lack of candor and her association with and defense of J.R. a month
before the permanency review hearing are particularly troubling. See In re A.B.,
815 N.W.2d 764, 776 (Iowa 2012) (recognizing risk of unresolved drug
dependency); In re D.W., 791 N.W.2d 703, 709 (Iowa 2010) (“[W]e gain insight
into the child’s prospects by reviewing evidence of the parent’s past
performance—for it may be indicative of the parent’s future capabilities.” (citation
omitted)).
The mother contends there is no evidence to support the State’s assertion
that the children “need permanency.” Chapter 232 itself declares children need
permanency within a specified time frame. Section 232.104(1)(a) sets the time
for the initial permanency hearing “within twelve months of the date the child was
removed from the home.” Under section 232.104(2)(b), the court may continue
placement “for an additional six months,” but to do so the court must “enumerate
the specific factors, conditions, or expected behavioral changes which comprise
the basis for the determination that the need for removal of the child from the
home will no longer exist at the end of the additional six-month period.” Thus,
the legislature has determined children need permanency within eighteen
months. Cf. In re C.B., 611 N.W.2d 489, 494 (Iowa 2000) (stating in context of
termination proceedings, “Iowa has built this patience into the statutory scheme
15
of Iowa Code chapter 232”). While we acknowledge that the mother has made
progress, at the time of the permanency review hearing the children had been
out of their mother’s custody for more than nineteen months. The children were
doing well in their father’s care and custody, and both informed the GAL they
wished to stay with their father.
The mother argues the children can be returned home at this time and the
State failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence any adjudicatory harm.
She relies upon Iowa code section 232.102(5)(a), which states, in part, that
custody should not be transferred unless there is clear and convincing evidence
that: “(2) The child cannot be protected from some harm which would justify the
adjudication of the child as a child in need of assistance and an adequate
placement is available.” But we note the supreme court has recently illuminated
the terms of “harm” and “harmful effects”:
Although chapter 232 does not contain a definition of
“harmful effects,” we have noted it “pertains to the physical, mental
or social welfare of a child.” In re Wall, 295 N.W.2d 455, 458 (Iowa
1980). Because of this broad definition, we have found such
effects established when there was harm to a child’s physical,
mental, or social well-being or such harm was imminently likely to
occur. See In re B.B., 440 N.W.2d at 597–98 (finding the State
proved the parents’ failure to exercise a reasonable degree of care
when a child’s lack of attendance at school “adversely affected his
educational, social, and emotional development”); In re J.S., 427
N.W.2d 162, 165 (Iowa 1988) (finding harmful effects as a result of
a failure to exercise a reasonable degree of care in supervising
children given that a child was playing outside on the street while
the parents’ home was locked and a child was “very aggressive and
uncontrollable”).
In re J.S., 846 N.W.2d 36, 41–42 (Iowa 2014).
Here, the social worker testified the children would be at risk of emotional
harm if returned to their mother. The children have been put into the middle of
16
the parents’ conflict for many years, and the mother has not made much
progress in recognizing its emotional impact on the children. Nor does she seem
to recognize the impact her continued association with persons such as J.R. has
on the children. We acknowledge the mother has been the victim of abuse in the
past, but her transgression into the use of illegal drugs, involvement with J.R.,
and lack of honesty on occasion have slowed her progress. The oldest child
especially had lost trust in his mother. The mother’s claim that she could offer
the children stability is not convincing where she testified she lived with her
parents who were contemplating selling their house and leaving their business at
which the mother was employed. Continued therapy between the children and
the mother will help their relationship, but the time has come to change custody.
We conclude the State has met its burden.
Moreover, in this case we also have the GAL’s objection to a return of the
children to the parent. Section 232.104(7) states:
Subsequent to the entry of a permanency order pursuant to
this section, the child shall not be returned to the care, custody, or
control of the child’s parent or parents, over a formal objection filed
by the child’s attorney or guardian ad litem, unless the court finds
by a preponderance of the evidence, that returning the child to such
custody would be in the best interest of the child.
The GAL objected to returning the children to the mother at the initial
permanency hearing and continued to argue strenuously against returning the
children to the mother at the permanency review. The juvenile court found that
returning the children to the mother would not be in their best interest. We affirm
the juvenile court’s rulings in their entirety.
AFFIRMED.