DES MOINES—The Iowa Supreme Court says a district court erred by ruling it didn’t have jurisdiction over custody issues involving a lesbian’s adoption of her partner’s children.

The case involves Heather Schott and Jamie Schott, who is the children’s natural parent. After they ended their relationship, Heather Schott asked a district court to determine child custody, physical care and support for the children.

The court ruled an unmarried adult can’t adopt without terminating the rights of both natural parents, and that since Jamie Schott’s rights weren’t terminated the adoptions weren’t valid.

The court says the adoptions are similar to stepparent adoptions and that the district court has jurisdiction. The high court sent the case back to district court.