San Bernardino County Children & Family Services v. O.F. , 240 Cal. App. 4th 689 ( 2015 )

Filed 8/26/15; pub. order 9/22/15 (see end of opn.)
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
In re D.P., a Person Coming Under the
Juvenile Court Law.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, E062886
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super.Ct.No. J249412)
v. OPINION
O.F.,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. A. Rex Victor,
Judge. (Retired judge of the San Bernardino Super. Ct. assigned by the Chief Justice
pursuant to art. VI, § 6 of the Cal. Const.) Affirmed.
William D. Caldwell, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant.
Jean-Rene Basle, County Counsel, and Adam E. Ebright, Deputy County Counsel,
for Plaintiff and Respondent.
1
I
INTRODUCTION
Father appeals an order terminating his parental rights to his son, D.P. (born in
2013) under Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26.1 Father contends the juvenile
court erred in deeming him an alleged father, without ordering requested paternity
testing. Father argues this prevented him from establishing parenthood and from
obtaining reunification services and custody of his son.2 We reject father’s contentions
and affirm the judgment.3
II
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Father and mother are the parents of D.P. and his older sister, I.F. This appeal
only concerns D.P. I.F. was removed from her parents in 2011, when mother and father
(parents) were arrested for drug possession and sales. I.F. was declared a dependent of
the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (LA-DCFS). The
juvenile court ordered parents to participate in individual counseling, parenting
education, alcohol and drug counseling, and alcohol and drug testing. In August 2012,
1 Unless otherwise noted, all statutory references are to the Welfare and
Institutions Code.
2 Mother is not a party to this appeal.
3 Father has also filed in this case a petition for writ of habeas corpus (case No.
E063822) in which he alleges he was denied effective assistance of counsel in the trial
court. By separate order, we have denied father’s writ petition. We conclude the petition
fails to allege a prima facie basis for relief because father has not shown prejudice.
2
reunification services were terminated because of parents’ noncompliance with their case
plan. Parents lost custody of I.F., resulting in a permanent plan for I.F. I.F. was placed
with her maternal grandmother (grandmother). Mother maintained contact with I.F.
Detention of D.P.
Parents came to the attention of the San Bernardino County Department of
Children and Family Services (DCFS) in May 2013, when mother gave birth to D.P.
D.P. tested positive for methamphetamine at birth. Mother admitted using
methamphetamine and acknowledged she had a drug problem. Upon D.P.’s release from
the hospital after his birth in May 2013, D.P. was removed from mother because of
mother’s failed reunification with I.F., substance abuse, and criminal history. D.P. was
placed with grandmother on July 9, 2013.
Mother had a 2005 conviction for possession of controlled substances for sale and
a 2006 warrant for burglary. She also was arrested in 2007 for credit fraud and false
checks. In 2011, mother was convicted of drug possession and placed on summary
probation until February 2015. Her probation terms included completion of a drug
treatment program, attending Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous meetings. In
May 2012, mother was arrested for possession of controlled substances. Mother had an
active warrant for her arrest for noncompliance with her 2011 probation terms. Parents
also had a history of domestic violence.
Father had a criminal record and a history of substance abuse and crime. Father
was convicted in 2005 of loitering for prostitution, in 2007 for possession of marijuana,
and in 2011 for possession of drugs. He was also arrested in 2009 for providing false
3
information to a peace officer. During his arrest for possession of drugs for sale in
September 2011, I.F. was visiting him. This resulted in DCFS taking I.F. into protective
custody. Father was arrested in July 2012 for illegal reentry into the United States,
resulting in his incarceration in federal prison in Victorville, where he remained
throughout mother’s pregnancy with D.P. and during most of the juvenile dependency
proceedings.
When D.P. was detained in May 2013, father’s whereabouts were unknown. After
the detention hearing, DCFS located father at a local federal prison. The juvenile court
appointed counsel to represent father. As an alleged father, father requested a paternity
test to determine whether he was D.P.’s biological father. Father stated in his Statement
Regarding Parentage (form JV-505) filed June 25, 2013, that he did not know if he was
the parent of D.P., and consented and requested blood or DNA testing to determine
parentage.
Jurisdiction/Disposition Hearing
At the jurisdiction/disposition hearing on July 9, 2013, the juvenile court declared
D.P. a dependent of the court, ordered D.P. removed from parents’ custody and
maintained with grandmother, and ordered reunification services and supervised
visitation for mother. Counsel for father informed the court that counsel had not been
able to locate father and therefore had not had any contact with him. Father’s attorney
objected to the juvenile dependency petition allegations against father and to DCPS’s
recommendation not to offer father reunification services. Father’s attorney added that
she did not “have anything to elevate his status to presumed” father. The court denied
4
reunification services and visitation for father because the court found he was an alleged
father and was incarcerated.
DCFS reported in the six-month status report filed in December 2013, that
mother’s participation in reunification services was inconsistent and mother had
gradually become disengaged. Mother was not taking responsibility for her drug use and
denied having a problem. D.P. remained placed with his maternal grandparents
(grandparents) and sister, I.F. Mother consistently visited D.P. once a week for one hour,
and the supervised visits went well. D.P. was healthy. There were some developmental
concerns. D.P. was doing well in his placement. At the six-month review hearing in
January 2014, the court ordered reunification services and visitation continued for
mother.
DCFS reported in its 12-month status report filed in June 2014, that mother had
not demonstrated long-term sobriety or sobriety outside of treatment. In January 2014,
mother was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. She did not comply with
her probation, resulting in a warrant out for her arrest. Mother entered residential drug
treatment in June 2014. D.P. had resided with grandparents almost since birth and
recognized grandmother as his primary caregiver. D.P. became upset when separated
from grandmother. He did not appear to be bonded to mother. Mother regularly visited
D.P. and her visits were appropriate. Father remained incarcerated in federal prison. At
the 12-month review hearing in July 2014, the court terminated mother’s reunification
services and set a section 366.26 hearing.
5
Section 366.26 Hearing
DCFS stated in its section 366.26 hearing report, filed in October 2014, that father
had been provided with notice of the section 366.26 hearing and provided with a copy of
DCFS’s hearing report. Grandparents wished to adopt D.P. They are willing to allow
parents to visit D.P. At the section 366.26 hearing on December 8, 2014, father’s
attorney informed the court father was no longer in custody and his whereabouts were
unknown. Parents objected to termination of parental rights. The juvenile court
terminated parental rights and ordered adoption as D.P.’s permanent plan.
III
PATERNITY TESTING
Father contends the juvenile court abused its discretion in denying his request for a
paternity DNA test and deeming him an alleged father throughout the juvenile
dependency proceedings. Father argues this deprived him of the ability to establish he
was D.P.’s biological father, of being treated as a presumed father, of consideration of
father’s relatives as possible placements for D.P., and of receiving reunification services
and custody of D.P. Father argues he must be given the opportunity to demonstrate his
commitment to parenting D.P. and willingness to assume custody of D.P.
A. Applicable Law
The Welfare and Institutions Code differentiates between “alleged,” “biological”
6
or “natural,” and “presumed” fathers.4 (In re Paul H. (2003) 111 Cal. App. 4th 753, 760
(Paul H.); In re B.C. (2012) 205 Cal. App. 4th 1306, 1311, fn. 3 (B.C.).) “The extent to
which a father may participate in dependency proceedings and his rights in those
proceedings are dependent on his paternal status. ‘A man who may be the father of a
child, but whose biological paternity has not been established, or, in the alternative, has
not achieved presumed father status, is an “alleged” father. [Citation.]’ [Citation.]”
(Paul H., at p. 760.) An alleged father has limited due process and statutory rights.
“‘Alleged fathers have less rights in dependency proceedings than biological and
presumed fathers. [Citation.] An alleged father does not have a current interest in a child
because his paternity has not yet been established. [Citation.]’ [Citation.] As such, an
alleged father is not entitled to appointed counsel or reunification services. [Citations.]”
(Ibid.) “‘Presumed father status ranks highest.’ [Citation.] ‘[O]nly a presumed, not a
mere biological, father is a “parent” entitled to receive reunification services under
section 361.5. [Citation.]’ [Citation.] However, a biological father may be offered
reunification services if the juvenile court determines such services will benefit the
child.” (B.C., at p. 1311, fn. 3.)
“Due process for an alleged father requires only that the alleged father be given
notice and ‘an opportunity to appear and assert a position and attempt to change his
paternity status. [Citations.]’ [Citation.] The statutory procedure that protects these
4A fourth category, a “de facto” father, is also recognized in dependency
proceedings but is not relevant to these proceedings. (In re B.C. (2012) 205 Cal. App. 4th
1306, 1311, fn. 3.)
7
limited due process rights is set forth in section 316.2.” (Paul H., supra, 111 Cal.App.4th
at p. 760.)
Section 316.2, subdivision (a), requires the juvenile court to inquire as to the
identity of all presumed or alleged fathers. Once an alleged father has been identified,
section 316.2, subdivision (b), requires the juvenile court to provide the alleged father
with notice that he is or could be the father of the child and that the child is the subject of
juvenile dependency proceedings that could result in the termination of parental rights
and adoption of the child. The court is required to include with notice Judicial Council
form JV–505, entitled “Statement Regarding Paternity.”
California Rules of Court, rule 5.6355 implements the provisions of section 316.2.
Rule 5.635 requires that, if an alleged father appears in a dependency matter and requests
a finding of paternity through Judicial Council form JV–505, the court shall determine:
“(1) Whether that person is the biological parent of the child; and (2) Whether that person
is the presumed parent of the child, if that finding is requested.” (Rule 5.635(h).) The
court may make such determination either by ordering blood testing or based on
testimony, declarations or statements by the mother and alleged father. (Rule 5.635(e)(2)
& (3); B.C., supra, 205 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1311-1312.)
B. Discussion
The juvenile court had a duty to inquire about and attempt to determine the
parentage of each child who was the subject of a juvenile dependency petition. (Paul H.,
5 Undesignated rule references are to the California Rules of Court.
8
supra, 111 Cal.App.4th at p. 760; rule 5.635.) The juvenile court in the instant case
satisfied this duty in part at the May 2013 detention hearing by asking mother who D.P.’s
father was and if any father was named on D.P.’s birth certificate. Mother named father
as D.P.’s biological father, stated there was no father named on D.P.’s birth certificate,
and told the court father was currently in federal prison in Victorville for illegally
entering the country. In June 2013, father filed a Statement Regarding Parentage (form
JV-505) requesting a paternity test to determine whether he was DP’s biological father.
In the form request, father stated he did not know if he was the parent of D.P. He also
consented to and requested blood or DNA testing to determine parentage.
At the jurisdiction/disposition hearing in July 2013, the juvenile court was
provided additional information, from which the court could have reasonably determined
father was not D.P.’s biological father. The court admitted into evidence the DCPS
reports, including the detention and jurisdiction/disposition reports. The
jurisdiction/disposition report stated the DCPS social worker confirmed on May 28,
2013, that father was arrested on July 10, 2012, for reentry into the United States as an
illegal immigrant, and remained incarcerated in federal prison in Victorville, with no
court disposition. This information in conjunction with evidence of D.P.’s premature
birth established father was not D.P.’s biological father.
The hospital discharge summary, dated May 20, 2013, attached to the
jurisdiction/disposition report filed May 31, 2013, states D.P. was born prematurely at 28
to 37 weeks. D.P. was thus conceived in late August 2012, after father was incarcerated
in July 2012. Taking into account D.P. was conceived after father was arrested and
9
incarcerated on July 10, 2012, the juvenile court reasonably denied father paternity
testing, since father could not have fathered D.P. while father was incarcerated.
There was also no evidence supporting a finding that father was a presumed father.
Father was not married to mother; his name was not on D.P.’s birth certificate; father did
not execute a declaration of paternity; he was not living with mother when D.P. was
conceived or thereafter; he had never lived with D.P.; father was never involved in D.P.’s
life; he did not provide financial support for D.P.; and father was incarcerated throughout
the juvenile dependency proceedings up until shortly before the section 366.26 hearing.
Father likely would be or had already been deported as an illegal immigrant. Under such
circumstances, father could not possibly have established he was a presumed father, even
if somehow he was D.P.’s biological father. Father’s attorney acknowledged at the
jurisdiction/disposition hearing that she did not have any evidence to support a finding of
presumed father status.
The juvenile court satisfied its duty to inquire about and to attempt to determine
the parentage of D.P. The juvenile court was required to determine if father was D.P’s
biological or presumed father. However, the court was not required to order a paternity
or genetic test. Unlike in B.C., supra, 205 Cal. App. 4th 1306, here there was conclusive
evidence, including testimony, declarations, and the parents’ statements, establishing that
father was neither D.P.’s biological father nor a presumed father.
In B.C., the court held the juvenile court did not satisfy its obligation to determine
paternity because the juvenile court conditioned granting the alleged father’s request for
paternity testing on the father paying for the testing. (B.C., supra, 205 Cal.App.4th at p.
10
1310.) The court in B.C. reversed and remanded the case with directions the juvenile
court determine whether the father was the child’s biological father pursuant to rule
5.635. (Id. at p. 1315.) The court in B.C. noted that, although the juvenile court should
have acted on the father’s request to determine biological paternity, genetic testing was
not mandatory: “Although on the facts presented genetic testing appears to be the only
means by which to determine biological paternity, rule 5.635 allows for other types of
evidence. We therefore decline to specify how the juvenile court should determine
biological paternity in this case.” (Ibid.)
In the instant case, the trial court could conclusively determine in the absence of
genetic testing that father was not D.P.’s biological father. Therefore, the juvenile court
did not abuse its discretion in denying father’s request for paternity testing and in finding
that father was merely an alleged father, based on the evidence before the juvenile court.
IV
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
CODRINGTON
J.
We concur:
RAMIREZ
P. J.
MILLER
J.
11
Filed 9/22/15
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
ORDER
In re D.P., a Person Coming Under the
Juvenile Court Law.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, E062886
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super.Ct.No. J249412)
v. The County of San Bernardino
O.F.,
Defendant and Appellant.
A request having been made to this court pursuant to California Rules of Court,
rule 8.1120(a), for publication of a nonpublished opinion heretofore filed in the above
matter on August 26, 2015, and it appearing that the opinion meets the standards for
publication as specified in California Rules of Court, rule 8.1105(c),
IT IS SO ORDERED that said opinion be certified for publication pursuant to
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1105(b).
CODRINGTON
J.
RAMIREZ
P. J.
MILLER
J.
1