Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
In the INTEREST OF B.R., Minor Child, T.R., Guardian, Petitioner-Appellee, A.B., Mother, Respondent-Appellant.
The mother gave birth to B.R. thirteen years ago and, while still in the hospital, an uncle became guardian of the child. The uncle commenced this proceeding under Iowa Code chapter 600A (2019) to terminate the mother's parental rights. After a trial, the district court granted the petition, and the mother appeals.1 She argues the evidence was not clear and convincing that she abandoned the child, she contributed to supporting the child according to her means, the uncle interfered with her ability to communicate with the child, termination is not in the child's best interests, and the court was wrong in finding the uncle was credible.
Our review is de novo. In re B.H.A., 938 N.W.2d 227, 232 (Iowa 2020). We defer to the trial court's findings of fact, especially when considering credibility of witnesses. Id. The district court's written opinion considered all the issues presented. We have reviewed the record of the proceedings and, giving deference to the affirmative credibility findings made by the district court on the critical issues finding the uncle credible and the mother not credible, approve of the reasons and conclusion in the court's ruling. A full opinion from this court would not augment or clarify existing case law.
We affirm the district court without further opinion. See Iowa Ct. R. 21.26(1)(d), (e).
AFFIRMED.
FOOTNOTES
1. The uncle waived filing a brief on appeal.
MULLINS, Judge.
Was this helpful?
Thank you. Your response has been sent.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Docket No: No. 19-1956
Decided: April 15, 2020
Court: Court of Appeals of Iowa.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
FindLaw for Legal Professionals
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)