DES MOINES – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced that he has asked the Iowa Supreme Court to review and overturn Wednesday’s district court order to reopen the Iowa Juvenile Home, which was found to have mistreated youth and denied them the education they deserve.
“Governor Branstad has the duty to faithfully execute all laws of the State of Iowa. These laws include the entire statutory scheme of children adjudicated delinquent or in need of assistance … these laws are based on a single, overriding premise — the best interests of the children,” the request said. “The district court’s extraordinary and unprecedented order demands this Court’s immediate review.”
The governor is represented in the case by the Attorney General.
“My utmost concern is protecting the health, safety and education of the children who resided at the Iowa Juvenile Home,” said Branstad. “The children were subjected to over 47,000 hours of isolation, denied the education they deserve and mistreated by staff. As chief executive, I have the responsibility to ensure the safety of Iowa’s most vulnerable. These children are now in licensed and accredited facilities where they are being better served, receiving the education they were denied at the Iowa Juvenile Home and the treatment and care they need.”
On behalf of the governor, the attorney general filed the request, called an Application for Appeal in Advance of Final Judgment, with the Iowa Supreme Court. Under the district court’s decision, the order does not take effect until the plaintiffs file a bond, giving both parties until March 3 to submit additional documents regarding the bond amount.
