IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 15-0576
Filed June 24, 2015
IN THE INTEREST OF F.J., J.J.,
and J.J.,
Minor Children,
B.J., Father,
Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County, Thomas J.
Straka, District Associate Judge.
A father appeals from a juvenile court order adjudicating three children in
need of assistance. AFFIRMED.
Kim C. Roddick of Reynolds & Kenline, L.L.P., Dubuque, for father.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, Bruce Kempkes, Assistant Attorney
General, Ralph Potter, County Attorney, and Joshua Vander Ploeg, Assistant
County Attorney, for appellee.
Patricia M. Reisen-Ottavi of Ottavi Law Office, P.C., Dubuque, for mother.
Kristy Hefel of Public Defender’s Office, Dubuque, attorney and guardian
ad litem for minor children.
Considered by Vogel, P.J., and Potterfield and Mullins, JJ.
2
MULLINS, J.
A father appeals from a juvenile court order adjudicating F.J. (twelve years
old), Ja.J. (ten years old), and Je.J. (seven years old) children in need of
assistance (CINA) pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.2(6)(c)(2) and (d) (2013). 1
First, he contends the juvenile court abused its discretion in quashing the
subpoena calling F.J. and Je.J. to testify at the adjudication hearing. He argues
he should have been able to examine the children in order to counter the
testimony of the child protective worker2 that Je.J. had been sexually abused by
the father’s two stepsons. Relying on the testimony of the child protective worker
and Je.J.’s therapist, the juvenile court determined that having Je.J. testify would
pose a significant risk of re-traumatizing a vulnerable child, would set back her
progress in therapy, and was not in her best interest. The court also determined
F.J. did not observe or have any knowledge of any sexual abuse perpetrated on
Je.J. and it would not be in her best interest to testify. The father also was able
to cross-examine the child protective worker and therapist. On our review of the
record, we agree with the juvenile court’s reasoning and conclusions and find no
abuse of discretion in its order quashing the subpoena. We affirm the order with
no further discussion, pursuant to Iowa Court Rule 21.26(1)(d) and (e).
Second, the father contends the State did not meet its burden of
establishing the children were in need of assistance pursuant to Iowa Code
1
All three children have been removed from the home of the father, step-mother, and
step-brothers and placed with the mother.
2
The child protective worker conducted the initial interview with Je.J., which was
recorded, and concluded Je.J. had been sexually abused by the step-brothers. She filed
a founded report of sexual abuse by omission listing the step-mother as the perpetrator.
3
section 232.2(6)(c)(2) and (d)3 by clear and convincing evidence. He complains
Je.J.’s report to the child protective worker was unreliable and insufficient
evidence to support the conclusion that the sexual abuse occurred; he further
complains the evidence does not support a conclusion that the other two children
have been sexually abused or suffered harm or are imminently likely to be
sexually abused or harmed. The district court reviewed the video of the child
protective worker’s interview with Je.J. and determined—based on the detail of
her descriptions, the inappropriateness of her knowledge given her age, her
ability to demonstrate with her hands how the acts were performed, and her
ability to describe developmental differences between the step-brothers—that
Je.J.’s report of sexual abuse was credible. The court also considered the child
protective worker’s testimony, physical evidence from the father’s home, and an
inconclusive physical examination.
The court also heard evidence that the step-mother was aware of Je.J.’s
allegation and took no steps to prevent further abuse; the father and step-mother
punished Je.J. for disclosing the abuse; the father and step-mother deny the
sexual abuse occurred and believe Je.J. made it up; the father and step-mother
took steps to obstruct the investigation; and the father and step-mother have not
3
A “child in need of assistance” is an unmarried child
c. Who has suffered or is imminently likely to suffer harmful effects as a
result of . . .
(2) The 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.
d. Who has been, or is imminently likely to be, sexually abused by the
child’s parent, guardian, custodian, or other member of the household in
which the child resides.
Iowa Code § 232.2(6).
4
allowed services for the step-mother’s sons, even though one has been charged
with sexual abuse as a delinquent as a result of Je.J.’s report. The court
concluded Je.J. was a CINA as she had both suffered sexual abuse and harm in
the father’s home and was imminently likely to continue to suffer sexual abuse
and harm if left in the home. The court concluded J.F. and Ja.J. were CINAs,
even though there was no evidence they had been sexually abused, because the
father and step-mother did not respond to a report of sexual assault in their home
and lacked protective capacity with regard to J.F. and Ja.J. If left in their home,
J.F. and Ja.J. would be in imminent danger of suffering sexual abuse or harm as
well. On our de novo review of the record, we agree with the juvenile court’s
reasoning and conclusions in every respect and affirm without further discussion
pursuant to Iowa Court Rule 21.26(1)(d) and (e).
AFFIRMED.