In the Best Interest of the Children True Story

2011-04-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

In the Best Interest of the Children is based on the case of Karen Cooper and Paula and Larry Mick of Iowa.

Termination of Parental Rights Case

2011-04-14T07:40:00.000-07:00

Paula Mick hugging Amanda and Anna Cooper

Manic Depressive Woman Loses Custody in Iowa

2008-08-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

Facts in the real case of Karen Cooper
by Traciy Curry-Reyes

On March 14, 1985, Karen Cooper willingly placed her kids in foster care. There are 3 father between all of the children ranging from ages 3 months to 10 years old. She placed them in the home because she is bipolar, and she wanted to seek medical help for her condition. She sought care for her mental disorder from March until August of 1986. When she tried to get the children back, the Micks along with their attorneys started the process of trying to terminate Karen’s parental rights due to physical abuse and negligence. Children’s Services conducted an investigation and found that the living conditions were deplorable. The findings were: broken windows, little to no food, unclean conditions, dog feces inside the residence, cockroaches, dirty dishes, dirty clothes, and limited clothing for the children. The oldest children were very angry at the mother for they way they were living. Physical beatings with chain dog leashes were also described. The department found that the mother was truly sorry for the treatment of the children. The doctors testified on her behalf that with proper medication she would most likely do well in parenting the kids. The children’s services and the Iowa courts found that she was not ready to have her children back, but they were willing to work with her to raise her level of parenting skills. Allowing the children to remain in the home with the Micks was in their opinion was in the best interest of the children. The children came to love the Micks, and they depended on the Micks heavily. Attorney’s on the side of the mother stated that they feel the Micks deliberately tried to establish a wedge between them and their mother. Their entire goal was to take the children away from their mother permanently.

On October 15, 1987, the five children are forcibly removed from the home of Paula and Larry Mick. The children were visibly upset, and it was obvious that they did not want to return to their mother. Attorneys for the Micks moved to have the children returned to the Micks at their Kellog home. While their mother, Karen Cooper continued to receive treatments, the children were placed in a new foster home in Cedar Rapids. Attorney’s for Karen Cooper stated that she had completely turned her life around. In December 1987 Paula and Larry Mick separated over stress in their marriage due to losing custody of the children. After being removed from the Micks home the children were relocated to a foster home close to their mother. In 1989 the children were legally adopted by Mike and Rhonda Butler. Mike Butler is the brother of Karen Cooper.

In February of 1992, the movie In the Best Interest of the Children premiers starring Sally Struthers and Sarah Jessica Parker. The cast met the real children and the Micks. No one met the mother Karen Cooper. Struthers sympathized with Paula Mick. They cried together and established an emotional bond.

"In the Best Interest of the Children"

In the Best Interest of the Children True Story

Termination of Parental Rights Case

Manic Depressive Woman Loses Custody in Iowa