In the Interest of E.G.

The parental rights of Elijah were terminated and the Iowa Department of Human Services (Department) was named his guardian and granted his custody. The Department was in the process of placing Elijah in an adoptive home when Susan, his foster care mother, was allowed to intervene and sought his custody. The juvenile court, in a post-termination permanency order, found Elijah should remain in Susan’s custody, approved Susan’s adoption of him, and ordered the State to provide her with an adoption subsidy.

The State contends the juvenile court erred in (1) allowing Elijah’s foster mother, Susan,…