Filed 5/23/14 In re J.P. CA4/1
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COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
In re J.P., a Person Coming Under the
Juvenile Court Law.
D065193
SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY,
(Super. Ct. No. CJ1061B)
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
LETICIA P.,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Laura J.
Birkmeyer, Judge. Affirmed.
Patti L. Dikes, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Thomas E. Montgomery, County Counsel, John E. Philips, Chief Deputy County
Counsel, and Erica R. Cortez, Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Leticia P. appeals an order terminating her parental rights in the juvenile
dependency case of her minor daughter, J.P. Leticia contends substantial evidence does
not support the juvenile court's findings that J.P. was likely to be adopted (Welf. & Inst.
Code, § 366.26, subd. (c)(1))1 and the beneficial parent-child relationship exception to
adoption did not apply (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(i)). We conclude that the evidence
supported the juvenile court's findings and affirm the order.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On February 1, 2012, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency
(the Agency) petitioned the juvenile court under section 300, subdivision (b), on behalf of
11-year-old J.P. The Agency alleged Leticia failed to protect J.P. from Leticia's live-in
boyfriend, Victor A., Sr., (Victor) who had sexually abused J.P. on two occasions. After
the abuse, Leticia obtained a restraining order against Victor, but she allowed him to
violate it by returning to the family home where J.P. also lived. Leticia has been
diagnosed with mild mental retardation and has a history of child neglect. Victor is an
alcoholic who had a history of physical abuse of J.P. and Leticia's other children. The
Agency concluded that J.P. had suffered, or was at substantial risk of suffering, serious
physical harm as a result of Leticia's failure or inability to protect her.
Leticia told the Agency that J.P.'s biological father was Juan Z., though the
Agency was unable to locate him. Victor is the father of Leticia's other three children,
Allen P., Alexis A., and Victor A., Jr. Concurrent with J.P.'s petition, the Agency filed
1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless
otherwise indicated.
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petitions under section 300 on their behalf as well. During J.P.'s dependency case,
Leticia gave birth to a fifth child, Liliana A., who was also the subject of an Agency
petition under section 300. Victor is the father of Liliana.
At the time of J.P.'s petition, the family was receiving voluntary services from the
Agency following J.P.'s disclosure of sexual abuse by Victor. The family had come to
the Agency's attention numerous times in the previous decade due to physical abuse and
neglect. On two occasions, the children were briefly removed from their parents' care.
At J.P.'s detention hearing, the court found the Agency had made a prima facie
showing under section 300, subdivision (b), and ordered that J.P. be detained in out-of-
home care. J.P. was placed with her half siblings in the home of their maternal aunt,
Josephine P. At the contested jurisdiction and disposition hearing, the court sustained the
allegations of the petition, removed J.P. from her parents' custody, and ordered
reunification services for Leticia. J.P. remained in the care of Josephine.
Leticia initially made "some progress" in her case plan. However, by the time of
the 12-month review hearing in J.P.'s case, the court found Leticia had not made
substantial progress, there was not a substantial probability that J.P. would be returned to
Leticia by the 18-month date, and termination of Leticia's reunification services was
appropriate. The court scheduled a selection and implementation hearing under section
366.26.
In advance of the selection and implementation hearing, the Agency prepared a
report concerning the permanent plan for J.P. The Agency recommended that the court
terminate Leticia's parental rights and order adoption as J.P.'s permanent plan. The
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Agency described J.P. as healthy, calm, and friendly. She received average grades in
school and was bilingual in English and Spanish. J.P. had some typically adolescent
behaviors, such as a dislike of chores and an episode while on vacation in Mexico where
she kissed or was kissed by an adolescent boy. But J.P. had no reported behavioral
problems and was developmentally on target.
Josephine expressed interest in adopting J.P., and J.P. wanted to be adopted by
her. In addition, the Agency identified nine local families and 30 families outside San
Diego County that were approved for adoption and willing to adopt a minor with J.P.'s
characteristics. At that point, all of Leticia's children were in Josephine's care, with the
exception of Victor Jr., who was developmentally delayed.
Leticia initially visited J.P. once or twice per month. Later in J.P.'s dependency
case, Leticia began to visit every day except Sundays. Each visit lasted approximately
eight hours, and Leticia helped her sister Josephine with cooking and cleaning. Based on
the Agency's evaluation, including observation of Leticia's visits, the Agency opined that
Leticia did not occupy a parental role in J.P.'s life and that adoption was in J.P.'s best
interest. Although Leticia loved J.P., and would like to take on a parental role, she was
unable to do so. The Agency never made contact with J.P.'s alleged father Juan.
After the Agency's report, J.P. and Josephine began to fight over household chores
and J.P.'s infatuation with a teenager in Tijuana, Mexico. An Agency social worker
visited J.P. in Josephine's home. J.P. told the social worker she did not want to be
adopted by Josephine or anyone else. J.P. had her bags packed and wanted to move out.
The social worker told J.P. there was no reason for her to leave; this was her family. J.P.
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remained in Josephine's care, but a week later her attitude was the same. Based on J.P.'s
statements, the Agency requested a 60-day continuance of the selection and
implementation hearing to assess the Agency's recommended permanent plan. The court
granted the requested continuance.
In advance of the continued hearing, the Agency submitted an updated report. It
again recommended adoption as J.P.'s permanent plan. The Agency noted that J.P.
continued to argue with Josephine over her professed love for Brian, the teenager in
Tijuana. At other times, however, J.P. was happy. Josephine also found J.P.'s diary,
which contained statements about killing herself, killing "the world," wanting to use
drugs, and running away with Brian. J.P. was assessed for suicidal ideation, and she was
not found at risk. An Agency social worker met with J.P. in person to discuss her
permanent plan. Despite the recent friction, J.P. still wanted her aunt to adopt her
because she "sees her aunt as her mom." J.P. said she had a talk with her aunt. J.P.
understood that she was too young to date Brian, but she was happy they could be
friends.
At the contested selection and implementation hearing, the court received the
Agency's reports into evidence and heard testimony from an Agency social worker. The
social worker testified that J.P. did not have significant interaction with Leticia during her
visits at Josephine's home. J.P. directed her attention towards Josephine. While J.P.
lived for many years with Leticia, the social worker believed their relationship was
negatively affected by Leticia's failure to provide a safe and caring home. J.P.'s counsel
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joined in the Agency's recommendations. Leticia did not present any affirmative
evidence at the hearing.
The court agreed with the Agency's recommendations. At the conclusion of the
hearing, the court stated as follows:
"I find by clear and convincing evidence that it is likely that
[J.P.] will be adopted if parental rights are terminated. I note that
she is described as follows: that she is healthy. She is developing
age appropriately. She is bilingual. She is described as friendly
with the exception of her fascination with her [beau] in Tijuana.
Otherwise, she is a very sweet girl.
"I do think [J.P.] has—her recent behaviors would be more
described as a teenage girl who is dealing with—as her counsel
said—her first crush. And other than this issue, she's never had
behavioral problems. She is social. She is well-behaved. She is
attractive. She has no developmental delays.
"The—the court is relying on—I'm making a finding she is
generally adoptable based on—well, provided by the Agency that
there are nine local families and 30 out-of-county families approved
to adopt a minor with [J.P.'s] characteristics.
"Realistically, it is the court's very strong preference that [J.P.],
in terms of adoption be adopted by—I find she is specifically
adoptable due to her relationship with, and with the approved
adoptive home study with her aunt and caretaker, Josephine
[P.] . . . ."
The court further determined whatever bond existed between Leticia and J.P. was
greatly affected by Leticia's failure to protect J.P. from Victor and to provide an adequate
home. While the court found that Leticia had maintained regular contact with J.P., the
quality of that contact did not show a substantial, positive emotional attachment. The
beneficial parent-child relationship exception to adoption therefore did not apply.
(§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(i).)
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The court found that adoption was in J.P.'s best interests, terminated the parental
rights of Leticia and Juan, and ordered adoption as J.P.'s permanent plan. Leticia appeals.
DISCUSSION
I
Leticia first challenges the juvenile court's finding that J.P. was likely to be
adopted. "A finding of adoptability requires 'clear and convincing evidence of the
likelihood that adoption will be realized within a reasonable time.' [Citation.] The
question of adoptability usually focuses on whether the child's age, physical condition
and emotional health make it difficult to find a person willing to adopt that child.
[Citation.]" (In re B.D. (2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 1218, 1231.)
"On review, we determine whether the record contains substantial evidence from
which the juvenile court could find clear and convincing evidence the child was likely to
be adopted within a reasonable time. [Citations.]" (In re Michael G. (2012) 203
Cal.App.4th 580, 589.) " 'On review of the sufficiency of the evidence, we presume in
favor of the order, considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing
party, giving the prevailing party the benefit of every reasonable inference and resolving
all conflicts in support of the order.' [Citation.] The 'clear and convincing' standard is for
the edification and guidance of the juvenile court. It is not a standard for appellate
review. [Citation.]" (In re J.I. (2003) 108 Cal.App.4th 903, 911.) " 'Thus, on appeal
from a judgment required to be based upon clear and convincing evidence, 'the clear and
convincing test disappears . . . [and] the usual rule of conflicting evidence is applied,
giving full effect to the respondent's evidence, however slight, and disregarding the
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appellant's evidence, however strong.' " (Sheila S. v. Superior Court (2000) 84
Cal.App.4th 872, 881.)
"The appellate court does not reweigh the evidence, evaluate the credibility of
witnesses or indulge in inferences contrary to the findings of the trial court. [Citations.]
The substantial evidence standard of review is generally considered the most difficult
standard of review to meet, as it should be, because it is not the function of the reviewing
court to determine the facts. [Citation.]" (In re Michael G., supra, 203 Cal.App.4th at
p. 589.)
Here, the evidence showed that J.P. was a normal, healthy, attractive 13-year-old
girl. She was calm, friendly, and social. She had a long history of good behavior and at
least average grades in school. Her maternal aunt Josephine wanted to adopt her, and J.P.
in turn wanted to be adopted by Josephine. Additionally, the Agency reported that nine
local families and 30 families outside San Diego County were willing to adopt a minor
with J.P.'s characteristics. From this evidence, the court could reasonably find by clear
and convincing evidence that J.P. was likely to be adopted within a reasonable time. (See
In re J.I., supra, 108 Cal.App.4th at p. 911.) The evidence showed that J.P. was
generally adoptable based on her physical and emotional characteristics and specifically
adoptable by her aunt Josephine.
Leticia claims that J.P.'s arguments with Josephine make it unlikely she will be
adopted. At most, however, the evidence of J.P.'s arguments with Josephine creates a
conflict in the evidence, which we must resolve in favor of the court's order. (See In re
J.I., supra, 108 Cal.App.4th at p. 911.) We may not reweigh the evidence of J.P.'s
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adoptability, as Leticia's contention would require. (See In re Michael G., supra, 203
Cal.App.4th at p. 589.)
Leticia further claims that J.P.'s adoption by Josephine "fell far short of certain"
and that other families may not wish to adopt J.P. given her recent conflicts with
Josephine. Leticia maintains that J.P. "could very well decide to object to adoption by
the aunt again" and might object to adoption by another family. These arguments rely on
speculative inferences inconsistent with the court's finding, which we may not indulge.
(See In re J.I., supra, 108 Cal.App.4th at p. 911; see also In re Jose C. (2010) 188
Cal.App.4th 147, 159 ["We cannot interfere with the juvenile court's ruling based on
speculation about what 'may' happen"].) As such, they are unpersuasive.
Leticia also contends that the court lacked sufficient information about J.P.'s
emotional and behavioral issues to make an adequate determination of adoptability. We
disagree. J.P.'s dependency case had been pending almost two years at the time of the
selection and implementation hearing. Over that time, J.P. had no reported behavioral
problems. She was a calm, friendly, well-behaved child who was thriving in her aunt
Josephine's care. Given this history, there was sufficient evidence for the court to
determine that the friction between J.P. and Josephine in the time leading up to the
hearing reflected nothing more than normal adolescent rebelliousness. No further inquiry
was required. (See In re Michael G., supra, 203 Cal.App.4th at pp. 591-593.)
II
Leticia next challenges the court's finding that the beneficial parent-child
relationship exception to adoption did not apply. "If the court determines, . . . by a clear
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and convincing standard, that it is likely the child will be adopted, the court shall
terminate parental rights and order the child placed for adoption." (§ 366.26, subd.
(c)(1).) An exception to this general rule applies if "[t]he court finds a compelling reason
for determining that termination would be detrimental to the child . . . ." (§ 366.26, subd.
(c)(1)(B).) This exception may be found where "[t]he parents have maintained regular
visitation and contact with the child and the child would benefit from continuing the
relationship." (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(i).)
"To overcome the strong policy in favor of terminating parental rights and to fall
within [this exception's] purview, the parent must show more than 'frequent and loving
contact,' [citation], and be more to the child than a mere 'friendly visitor or friendly
nonparent relative.' [Citation.] The parent must show the parent-child bond is a
'substantial, positive emotional attachment such that the child would be greatly harmed' if
parental rights were terminated. [Citation.]" (In re Helen W. (2007) 150 Cal.App.4th 71,
81.)
The bond between parent and child must "promote[] the well-being of the child to
such a degree as to outweigh the well-being the child would gain in a permanent home
with new, adoptive parents. In other words, the court balances the strength and quality of
the natural parent/child relationship in a tenuous placement against the security and the
sense of belonging a new family would confer." (In re Autumn H. (1994) 27 Cal.App.4th
567, 575.) "The factors to be considered include: '(1) the age of the child, (2) the portion
of the child's life spent in the parent's custody, (3) the positive or negative effect of
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interaction between the parent and the child, and (4) the child's particular needs.'
[Citation.]" (In re Helen W., supra, 150 Cal.App.4th at p. 81.)
The parties agree the substantial evidence standard of review applies to the court's
finding. (In re Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 576; but see In re Jasmine D.
(2000) 78 Cal.App.4th 1339, 1351 [applying abuse of discretion standard, but noting little
practical difference between the standards].) "We determine whether there is substantial
evidence to support the trial court's ruling by reviewing the evidence most favorably to
the prevailing party and indulging in all legitimate and reasonable inferences to uphold
the court's ruling. [Citation.] If the court's ruling is supported by substantial evidence,
the reviewing court must affirm the court's rejection of the exceptions to termination of
parental rights under section 366.26, subdivision (c)." (In re S.B. (2008) 164 Cal.App.4th
289, 297-298.)
Here, the court found that Leticia had satisfied the first prong of the exception and
"maintained regular visitation and contact with the child . . . ." (§ 366.26, subd.
(c)(1)(B)(i).) Regarding the second prong, the evidence showed that Leticia and J.P.
interacted very little during Leticia's visits. Leticia assisted in chores such as cooking and
cleaning, but she did not parent J.P. J.P. turned to Josephine for guidance and instruction,
thrived in Josephine's care, and wanted Josephine to adopt her. While J.P. lived with
Leticia most of her life, any parent-child bond from that time was significantly impacted
by Leticia's failure or inability to provide a safe and caring home for J.P. and her half
siblings.
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Leticia fails to confront these facts under the applicable standard of review.
Instead, she emphasizes contrary inferences from the factual record that allegedly support
reversal. Leticia claims generally that she "significantly contributes to [J.P.'s] care and is
nearly a constant presence in her life," such that "[a] positive relationship between J.P.
and her mother exist[s] and the child would suffer if their relationship were severed."
She also claims she was "an integral part of the daily workings and activities in
[Josephine's] home." However, these inferences—which are largely speculative—cannot
contradict the substantial evidence supporting the court's finding described above.
Unlike the authorities she relies on, Leticia cites little if any evidence that J.P. had
a substantial, positive emotional attachment to Leticia at the time of the selection and
implementation hearing. (Cf. In re Amber M. (2002) 103 Cal.App.4th 681, 689-690
[evidence from psychologist, therapist, and court-appointed special advocate regarding
bonding and detriment if parental rights were terminated]; In re Scott B. (2010) 188
Cal.App.4th 452, 471-472 ["It is also clear from the record [including testimony by
mother, minor, and court-appointed special advocate] that [minor's] emotional makeup
will not enable him to endure interruption of his long-standing frequent visits with
Mother"].) While J.P. recognizes that Leticia is her biological mother, this recognition
alone is insufficient to show the required emotional attachment. In fact, the evidence
showed that J.P. wanted to be adopted by Josephine. While not determinative, J.P.'s
wishes confirm her lack of attachment to Leticia.
At most, the evidence shows that Leticia was a "friendly visitor" in J.P.'s
household. (See In re Helen W., supra, 150 Cal.App.4th at p. 81.) Substantial evidence
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supports the court's finding that the beneficial parent-child relationship exception did not
apply. (See In re C.F. (2011) 193 Cal.App.4th 549, 557.) Leticia's contrary contention is
without merit.
DISPOSITION
The order is affirmed.
O'ROURKE, J.
WE CONCUR:
HALLER, Acting P. J.
McDONALD, J.
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