Bridget and Brett married in 2014, and they have two children, born in 2015 and 2017. The parties' marriage was dissolved by an Arizona decree in 2019, several months after the family moved to Iowa. Bridget and Brett stipulat... More...    $0 (07-19-2024 - IA)

IN THE INTEREST OF D.M.

Indianola, IA: Family law lawyers represented the Mother and Father of D.M. in child custody dispute.

A mother and her child’s guardian ad litem (GAL) separately appeal the juvenile court’s permanency order transferring sole custody of the child, born in 2013, to her father. Both the mother and GAL argue there was not clear and convincing evidence the child could not be returned to ... More...    $0 (10-15-2021 - IA)

Sioux City, Iowa felony firearm possession charge criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant, Jeremiah Shortenhaus, age 27, from Sioux City, Iowa, was charged with possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Evidence presented by the United States at Shortenhaus’s detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed that on July 27, 2019, Shorte... More...    $0 (04-12-2021 - IA)

Ceder Rapids, IA - The United States of America charged Rossi Lorathio Adams, II with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force, threats, and violence.

A man who enlisted his cousin to break into a Cedar Rapids man’s home and order him at gunpoint to transfer an Internet domain was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison.

Rossi Lorathio Adams II, age 27, from Cedar Rap... More...    $0 (12-10-2019 - IA)

Des Moines, IA - Des Moines Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearms Offense

Roman Deon Hellems, Jr. sentenced to 96 months for felon in possession of a firearm

On August 24, 2018, Roman Deon Hellems, Jr., age 23, of Des Moines, appeared before United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose and was sentenced to 96 months in prison for a felon in possession of a firearm charge a... More...    $0 (08-28-2018 - IA)

Santos Rosales-Martinez was convicted of second degree sexual abuse, in
violation of Iowa Code § 709.3(1)(b). He sought a writ of habeas corpus under 28
U.S.C. § 2254 arguing that the trial court violated his right to confrontation. The
district court denied relief. He appeals. Having 1 jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291,
this court affirms.
Rosales-Martinez was charged with s... More...    $0 (06-22-2018 - IA)

In December 2015, the State charged Kramer by trial information with
indecent contact with a child. It was alleged the conduct occurred in December
2014, when P.W.—the complaining witness—was twelve years old and staying at
Kramer’s home.
The next day, the county attorney filed a motion to have a guardian ad litem
(GAL) appointed. The motion requested the attorney by na... More...    $0 (01-12-2018 - IA)

On May 19, 2013, Heather Davis, a child protection worker from the Iowa
Department of Human Services (DHS), went to the home of Gloria Overstreet
and her son, Ricky Overstreet, to investigate an anonymous call received about
Ricky’s daughter, T.O., in which the source reported T.O. was being physically
abused by Ricky and Gloria and was receiving inadequate food and clothing. ... More...    $0 (12-23-2016 - IA)

D.B., a mentally and physically incapacitated woman living at a Des
Moines-area group home, was treated at Mercy Hospital for weight loss, gagging,
and digestive issues. It was discovered D.B. was twenty weeks pregnant. The
pregnancy was terminated per the direction of D.B.’s guardian. Police sought
DNA samples of all males with access to D.B., including Mbonyunkiza, a
... More...    $0 (12-21-2016 - IA)

To convict Reese of harboring a runaway, the State was required to prove three elements: (1) S.P. was a runaway child, meaning she was under eighteen years of age and was voluntarily absent from her home without the consent of her guardian; (2) Reese aided, supported, or sheltered S.P.; and (3) Reese intended to allow S.P. to remain away from home against the wishes of her guardian. See Iowa... More...    $0 (10-28-2016 - IA)

Heuer has intellectual limitations. He lives in his own apartment but sometimes stays with his guardian. He also receives assistance in his daily activities from case worker, Enoch Higbee. On June 25, 2015, Heuer was spending time at Higbee’s house while two young children were present. Heuer is sexually aroused by the smell of feces. While Heuer was alone with the children, he massaged ... More...    $0 (10-28-2016 - IA)

Des Monies, IA - West Des Moines Man Sentenced to 70 Years in Prison for Retail Theft Scheme, Child Pornography, and Witness Tampering Charges

Bradley J. Prucha, 39, of West Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to a total of 840 months, or 70 years, in federal prison for executing a multistate retail theft scheme, producing and possess... More...    $0 (06-27-2016 - IA)

On July 27, 2014, at about 1:30 a.m., Iowa City police officers heard three
or four gunshots at the pedestrian mall in downtown Iowa City. Michael Dillon,
who operated a food vending cart, saw a man fire a weapon into the air and then
run from the scene. Diane Dillon, who was also working at the food vending cart,
crouched down when she heard the shots. Diane stated there we... More...    $0 (06-19-2016 - IA)

Following a trial to the district court, Hipolito Dubon Pantaleon (Dubon)
was convicted of two counts of lascivious acts with a child, stemming from acts
he committed in 2013 with a then eleven-year-old child.1 On appeal, Dubon
challenges the court’s admission of the child’s video-recorded interview with
Child Protective Services (CPC) into evidence at trial, alleging the evi... More...    $0 (02-25-2016 - IA)

Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Dallas County, Paul R. Huscher,
Judge. Staley began a relationship with Simmons and became pregnant with his
child in Indiana. She moved to her native Alaska, and the child was born in
Alaska in 2003. The couple reconciled, and Staley moved back to Indiana with
the child. Soon Staley left Simmons again; she and the child moved to Iowa.... More...    $0 (10-18-2015 - IA)

S.M. was born in October 2007. E.M., her maternal grandfather, and his
wife, C.M. (the guardians a/k/a the grandfather or grandmother), were appointed
guardians in March 2009, and S.M. has been in their sole care since that time.1
She is developmentally on track, has no special needs, does well in school, and
appears to be thriving. S.M. only lived with the mother during the... More...    $0 (08-10-2015 - IA)

Recent decisions of this court have explored the constitutionality of
criminal sentences for juvenile offenders. See generally State v. Lyle, 854
N.W.2d 378 (Iowa 2014); State v. Ragland, 836 N.W.2d 107 (Iowa 2013);
State v. Pearson, 836 N.W.2d 88 (Iowa 2013); State v. Null, 836 N.W.2d
41 (Iowa 2013). Today we consider the nature and extent of a court’s
discretion in resenten... More...    $0 (06-26-2015 - IA)

The father appeals the termination of his parental rights to his children, J.D. and E.D. He asserts that, because the State did not petition that his rights should be terminated under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h) (2013), the juvenile court improperly found termination warranted on that paragraph. He further argues that the requirements for termination were not met, because the children were nev... More...    $0 (08-13-2014 - IA)

A mother appeals from the juvenile court’s order terminating her parental rights to three of her children.1 We affirm.
I. Background Facts and Proceedings
This family came to the attention of the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) in January 2013, when the mother contacted DHS because she did not feel she could parent her children safely. The mother has six children: K.E., born in 2... More...    $0 (08-13-2014 - IA)

A young father appeals the juvenile court order severing his parental rights to his one-year-old son. He contends the State did not prove a statutory ground for termination and argues maintaining his rights would be in the child’s best interests. But primarily, the father seeks an additional six months to work toward reunification—pointing to an exhibit detailing his candid revelations concern... More...    $0 (08-13-2014 - IA)

A mother appeals from the order terminating her parental rights. She contends the evidence failed to prove she abandoned the child or that termination is in the best interest of the child. We conclude the district court properly terminated the mother’s parental rights on the ground of abandonment under Iowa Code section 600A.8(3)(b) (2011). We conclude termination of the mother’s parental righ... More...    $0 (08-13-2014 - IA)

Thomas and Martha Duban brought a negligence action against Waverly Sales
Company (Waverly) arising out of injuries Martha sustained when she was stepped
on by a horse at a Waverly draft horse auction. The district court1 denied Waverly’s
1The Honorable Jon Stuart Scoles, United States Magistrate Judge for the
Northern District of Iowa, to whom the case was referred for final dis... More...    $237535 (07-28-2014 - IA)

Kelli Hill Hunt (n/k/a Kelli Hill) appeals the physical care and property distribution provisions of the decree dissolving her marriage to Tony Hunt. She argues the district court erred in denying her request for a custody investigation, awarding joint physical care, and in the division of the parties’ assets.1 Tony requests appellate attorney fees. We affirm finding the court properly appointed... More...    $0 (03-12-2014 - IA)

At issue in this case is the paternity of A.C., who is now four years old. A.C.’s biological father, Roberto Ledesma, challenges the district court’s denial of his petition to establish paternity, custody, visitation, and support, and to terminate the rights of A.C.’s legally established father, Juan Cisneros. Ledesma contends the district court misapplied Iowa Code sections 600B.41 and 600B... More...    $0 (02-05-2014 - IA)

This legal malpractice action presents three questions of first impression. In Hook v. Lippolt, we held the defendants in plaintiff Pamela Hook’s personal injury action—the State of Iowa and a volunteer driver for the Iowa Department of Human Services—were entitled to summary judgment under the statute of limitations and volunteer-immunity provisions of the Iowa Tort Claims Act, respectively... More...    $0 (01-08-2014 - IA)

A mother appeals from the juvenile court order terminating her parental rights to two children under section 232.116(1)(f) (2013). The mother contends (A) the State failed to make reasonable reunification efforts, (B) the State failed to prove statutory grounds for termination, (C) terminating her parental rights is not in the children’s best interests, (D) statutory exceptions save the parent-c... More...    $0 (06-12-2013 - IA)

The mother and the fathers of two children appeal from the termination of their parental rights. Statutory grounds for termination of parental rights exist as to each parent and each child. Termination of parental rights will offer the children needed permanency, and no factor precludes the termination of each parent’s rights. We therefore affirm on each appeal.

I. Background Facts and ... More...    $0 (06-12-2013 - IA)

A mother, Tabitha, appeals the district court order terminating her parental rights to her children, R.T. (born 2009) and J.T. (born 2010).1 R.T.’s father, Clinton, also appeals the order terminating his parental rights. Tabitha’s rights were terminated pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(d) (2011) (adjudicated child in need of assistance (CINA) for physical abuse or neglect, circumstance... More...    $0 (06-12-2013 - IA)

The juvenile court terminated parental rights to three children. The mother, father, and maternal grandmother appeal. The mother and father argue the State failed to prove the grounds for termination of their parental rights. The children’s maternal grandmother, an intervenor, argues the children should be placed with her. Clear and convincing evidence supports termination of the mother’s and ... More...    $0 (06-12-2013 - IA)

Guardians, Roland and Deanna Martzahn, appeal the district court’s December 20, 2012 order, which disapproved the final report they filed seeking to terminate the guardianship and also sanctioned them in the amount of $300 “for failing to abide by the previous orders of this Court.â€� They claim their final report should have been approved and the guardianship terminated because the guardiansh... More...    $0 (06-12-2013 - IA)

SCS Property Management, LLC, run by Cindy Jones, leased space to a day care center known as West Side Kids, run by one of its owners, Cindy Vokes. When the five-year lease spanning 2005 to 2010 expired, West Side Kids vacated the premises, taking certain items with it. SCS sued West Side Kids and Vokes for breach of the lease agreement. West Side Kids counterclaimed for breach of the same agreeme... More...    $0 (06-12-2013 - IA)

Betty Gunderson appeals an order granting partial summary judgment on her June 16, 2010 petition seeking compensation for care-taking services she performed for Shirley Marts. The district court found the two-year statute of limitations at Iowa Code section 614.1(8) (2009) barred Gunderson’s claim for unpaid wages for the period from January 2005 through June 2006. Gunderson argues that because ... More...    $0 (01-24-2013 - IA)

A child’s estate appeals a summary judgment ruling concluding a medical malpractice action was not timely filed.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings

The record reveals the following undisputed facts. See Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.981(3) (requiring summary judgment movant to show the absence of any genuine issue of material fact). In 2008, the parents of a one-year-old child took him to a h... More...    $0 (10-17-2012 - IA)