Iowa Department of Health and Human Services v. Iowa District Court for Polk County

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services was granted certiorari review of a juvenile court order prohibiting the Department from changing the placement of a child in its custody until the court first holds an evidentiary hearing on whether the change is in the child’s best interest. The court of appeals sustained the writ, finding the order exceeded the juvenile court’s limited statutory authority to review the Department’s specific placement decisions. The child’s guardians ad litem and attorneys seek further review. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Iowa District Court for Polk County

Holding: The attorney and guardian ad litem for the minor child seeks further review of a court of appeals decision that concluded the juvenile court exceeded its statutory authority to review the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’s choice to change the placement of a child in its custody. Decision of Court of Appeals Vacated; Writ Annulled.