No. 3-417 / 02-1740Court of Appeals of Iowa.
Filed July 10, 2003
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Poweshiek County, Michael R. Stewart, Judge.
R.E. appeals from her involuntary mental commitment. AFFIRMED.
Christopher Clausen of Boliver Law Firm, Marshalltown, for appellant.
Michael Mahaffey, County Attorney, and Kelly Bennett, Assistant County Attorney, for appellee.
Considered by Sackett, C.J., and Huitink and Vogel, JJ.
SACKETT, C.J.
This case arises from an involuntary mental commitment. Appellant, R.E., requested a hearing under Iowa Code section 229.14A (2001) on the medical report that recommended R.E.’s continued placement in a mental health facility. R.E. contends the district court erred in ordering her continued placement at the facility. We affirm.
Involuntary commitments under Iowa Code chapter 229 are ordinary actions at law. In re Oseing, 296 N.W.2d 797, 801 (Iowa 1980). Our review is for correction of errors at law. Oseing, 296 N.W.2d at 801; Iowa R.App.P. 6.4. The court’s findings have the effect of a special verdict and are binding on us if supported by substantial evidence. See Iowa R.App.P. 6.14(6)(a); Eldridge v. Herman, 291 N.W.2d 319, 321 (Iowa 1980).
The court conducted a telephonic hearing and received testimony from Mike Bergman, a licensed psychologist who had worked with R.E. before her commitment; Dr. Robert Weltzin, a chiropractor who treated R.E. before her commitment; and R.E. In her testimony, R.E. sought transfer to a med-psych unit or a nursing home because of her concerns her medical problems, such as diabetes, joint pain, muscle weakness, and abdominal pain were not being addressed. The court found continued hospitalization was appropriate.
Having considered the testimony introduced at the hearing, we find substantial evidence supports the court’s decision. Accordingly, we affirm.
AFFIRMED.