In re Y.D. CA4/1 ( 2016 )

Filed 8/11/16 In re Y.D. CA4/1
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
In re Y.D., a Person Coming Under the
Juvenile Court Law.
D069919
SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY,
(Super. Ct. No. CJ1157)
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
V.D. et al.,
Defendants and Appellants.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Laura J.
Birkmeyer, Judge. Affirmed.
Daniel G. Rooney, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant J.J.
Jamie A. Moran, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant V.D.
Thomas E. Montgomery, County Counsel, John E. Philips, Chief Deputy County
Counsel, and Patrice Plattner-Grainger, Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and
Respondent.
J.J. (Father) and V.D. (Mother) appeal from a juvenile court order terminating
their parental rights to their daughter (Y). (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.26.)1 Father
challenges the court's finding he did not have a sufficient relationship with Y to preclude
the termination of his parental rights. (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(i).) Mother contends
that if we reverse the termination order as to Father, we must also reverse the order as to
her.
We affirm. Substantial evidence supports the court's finding Father did not have a
beneficial parent-child relationship with Y and therefore the court did not abuse its
discretion in finding the statutory exception inapplicable. (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(i).)
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL SUMMARY
Background Summary
Because Father's sole appellate contention concerns the beneficial parent-child
exception to termination of parental rights, we only briefly summarize the events leading
to the section 366.26 reference. As Mother does not challenge the termination order as to
her, we discuss facts pertaining to Mother only as they relate to Father's case.
Y was born in January 2014. Two weeks later, the San Diego Health and Human
Services Agency (Agency) filed a juvenile dependency petition, alleging the parents
1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.
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(Mother and Father) were unable to care for Y. (§ 300, subd. (b).) The petition alleged Y
tested positive for methamphetamine at birth; Mother admitted using methamphetamine
during pregnancy; Mother had used methamphetamine for the past seven years; Father
was unable to stop Mother's drug use during the pregnancy; and Father physically abused
Mother while she was pregnant with Y.
Shortly after, the court removed Y from Mother's custody and placed Y with her
maternal aunt. Two of Y's older siblings live in the same household.
In May 2014, the juvenile court made a true finding on the petition, and
determined placement with either parent would be detrimental to Y. In reaching these
conclusions, the court reviewed police records showing Father hit Mother in the face
(leaving a bruise) while Mother was seven months pregnant with Y. Although Father had
not been arrested, the evidence showed Father (a trained boxer) had anger management
problems and had been previously violent toward Mother. Because she feared Father
would be deported, Mother had not reported the assaults. The evidence also showed
Mother had been arrested for committing domestic violence against Father.
During the next several weeks, Father had weekly visits with Y. In June 2014,
Father moved to Tijuana, and thereafter had supervised visits twice per month at the
Mexican consulate.
In its six-month report, the Agency recommended terminating reunification
services for both parents. Several months later, in February 2015, the Agency changed
its recommendation, and requested more services be provided for Father. In response, the
court ordered continued supervised visitations at the Mexican consulate and ordered
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Father to engage in a domestic violence program to address the issues that led to his
violent confrontations with Mother.
For the next several months, Father continued to have twice-monthly visits with Y
at the Mexican consulate. At these visits, Father was affectionate and attentive to Y's
needs.
In August 2015, the Agency recommended that reunification services be
terminated and the matter be referred to a section 366.26 hearing. Father opposed the
recommendation, and requested that Y be placed in his care or that he be provided
expanded visitations to include unsupervised visits or visits supervised by a relative.
In September 2015, the court held a combined 12-month and 18-month hearing on
these requests. After a hearing, the court found reunification services had been
reasonable, but Father had failed to address the problems leading to the jurisdictional
findings. The court noted the case had been before it "for a very long time," and the court
was "well aware of the history of [the] case" and was "very familiar" with the background
facts and the current issues. After considering all the evidence, the court found Father
had not made meaningful progress on his domestic violence issues, including that he
continued to be unwilling to accept responsibility for his violent conduct. The court
terminated reunification services and referred the matter to a selection and
implementation hearing. (§ 366.26.)
Agency's Section 366.26 Reports
In December 2015, an Agency social worker prepared an assessment report for the
section 366.26 hearing. The social worker stated that (almost) two-year-old Y has been
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living with her maternal aunt since she was an infant and is "securely attached" to her
aunt and was thriving in her care. The social worker also observed several visits between
Father and Y at the Mexican consulate, and detailed her observations in the report.
In summary, the social worker said the visits between Father and Y were always
pleasant and happy, but Y did not manifest any emotional connection to him and Y "does
not seem completely comfortable around [Father]." The social worker explained: "[Y]
does not seek out [Father] for affection, or to meet any of her emotional or primary needs,
she also is not distressed when separated from [Father] and uses a lot of social
referencing when engaging with [Father]." The social worker also discussed Mother's
allegations that Father has continued to commit domestic violence, and Father's
continued unwillingness to take responsibility for the domestic violence incidents.
Based on her observations, review of the file, and conversations with the parents
and the current caretaker, the social worker opined there was no beneficial parent-child
relationship between Father and Y that would result in Y suffering harm if the
relationship was terminated. The social worker also found it was "highly likely" Y would
be adopted if the court selected adoption as the permanent plan. The social worker stated
the maternal aunt is eager to adopt Y, and that if that adoption is unsuccessful, Y is
generally adoptable "based on her numerous appealing characteristics, including [her]
young age, gender, and easy going personality."
Two months later, the social worker prepared an addendum report, stating Mother
had continued to accuse Father of physically and emotionally abusing her, and Father
admitted that Mother had come to his house. The addendum also described recent visits
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between Father and Y: "[Y] often uses social referencing with the social worker any time
that [Father] gets too close to her (i.e. hugs, kisses, picking her up, sitting close to her),
this indicates that [Y] does not feel completely comfortable or trust [Father]. As the
visits have progressed [Y] has become more familiar with the routine at the consulate,
and began to engage more easily with [Father]. [Father] . . . seems to have a difficult
time engaging with [Y], many of the visits he engages in parallel play with [Y] and
remains silent for much of the visits. [Y] will often walk to the social worker to request
help or engage with the social worker instead of [Father]. . . . Additionally, at the end of
each visit, when [Father] says good bye to [Y], [Y] often is not interested in saying good
bye and is distracted with something else, or simply waves goodbye, but she does not cry
or appear to be sad when separated from her father."
Section 366.26 Hearing
At the February 2016 section 366.26 hearing, both Father and Mother were
represented by counsel. At the outset of the hearing, the Agency's counsel requested the
court receive and consider the social worker's assessment report and the addendum
reports, and all parties stipulated to the court doing so. Counsel waived the right to cross-
examine the social worker.
The Agency's counsel then argued that clear and convincing evidence showed it is
likely Y will be adopted if parental rights are terminated and that none of the section
366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(B) exceptions apply. With respect to the beneficial parent-
child exception, the Agency's counsel stated that Mother had not maintained contact with
Y and although Father participated in the visits at the Mexican consulate, the interactions
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were "simply a one hour or less visitation, where the child was present, the father was
present. [There were] no interactions that would allow [the] court to find . . . a parent-
child relationship exists."
Father's counsel disagreed, and urged the court to find the beneficial parent-child
relationship exception precluded adoption. Counsel emphasized the regularity of Father's
visits and the facts showing "the child [does] not show[ ] distress" during the visits.
Father's counsel argued, "[Y] allow[s] the father to show affection to her without . . .
pulling away; maybe not reciprocating, but not pulling away."
At the conclusion of the hearing, the court stated the evidence supported the
Agency's recommendations. The court found by clear and convincing evidence that Y
was adoptable. With respect to the beneficial parent-child relationship exception, the
court found that Father "has maintained regular visitation and contact with the child
within the parameters that were afforded to him," but he has not "established the second
prong . . . that is that the benefit [to] Y of maintaining the parent-child relationship
outweighs the benefits of adoption."
The court reasoned there was no evidence that severing Y's relationship with
Father "would deprive her of a substantial, positive emotional attachment such that she
would be greatly harmed." The court recognized that Father's visits with Y were
"positive" and that Y was "accepting of affection," and that Father "was, on many visits, a
good and affectionate playmate with her . . . ." But the court said Y "does not look to him
. . . to be [in] a parental role, . . . or to meet her needs," and Y separates easily from
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Father. The court noted that Y's "connection to her father [has] sort of ebbed and
flowed."
The court also discussed that two-year-old Y has strong needs for stability and
permanence, and that Y is "at a very fundamental stage, where security and stability and
consistency are very, very important to her development." The court said that "based on
[Y's] age and her particular needs," selecting a lesser plan "would be [a] tragic" outcome
for Y.
Based on its consideration of all the evidence and its familiarity with the case
since its inception, the court found the beneficial parent-child exception inapplicable and
that Y was adoptable. The court thus terminated the parental rights of both Mother and
Father.
DISCUSSION
Father contends the juvenile court erred in finding there was not a beneficial
parent-child relationship between him and Y that precluded adoption as Y's permanent
plan. (§ 366.36, subd. (c)(1)(B)(i).)
A. Applicable Law
After reunification services are terminated, the court's focus shifts from preserving
the family to promoting the best interests of the child, including the child's interest in a
stable, permanent placement that allows the caregiver to make a full emotional
commitment to the child. (In re Fernando M. (2006) 138 Cal. App. 4th 529, 534.)
"Adoption, where possible, is the permanent plan preferred by the Legislature." (In re
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Autumn H. (1994) 27 Cal. App. 4th 567, 573 (Autumn H.); accord, In re D.M. (2012) 205
Cal. App. 4th 283, 290.)
At the section 366.26 hearing, if the court finds a child cannot be returned to his or
her parent and is likely to be adopted if parental rights are terminated, it must select
adoption as the permanent plan unless it finds a compelling reason for determining that
termination of parental rights would be detrimental to the child under one or more of the
enumerated statutory exceptions. (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(A) & (B)(i)-(vi).) The parent
has the burden to establish the facts supporting an exception. (In re C.F. (2011) 193
Cal. App. 4th 549, 553 (C.F.).)
Father relied on section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i), which provides an
exception to the adoption preference if terminating parental rights would be "detrimental
to the child" because "[t]he parents have maintained regular visitation and contact with
the child and the child would benefit from continuing the relationship." (Italics added.)
We have interpreted the phrase "benefit from continuing the relationship" to refer to a
parent-child relationship that "promotes 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 sense of
belonging a new family would confer. If severing the natural parent/child relationship
would deprive the child of a substantial, positive emotional attachment such that the child
would be greatly harmed, the preference for adoption is overcome and the natural parent's
rights are not terminated." (Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at pp. 574-575; accord,
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C.F., supra, 193 Cal.App.4th at pp. 555-557; In re Jason J. (2009) 175 Cal. App. 4th 922,
936-937 (Jason J.).)
To meet the proof burden for this statutory exception, the parent must show a
relationship that is more than frequent and loving contact, a bond with the child, or
pleasant visits. (C.F., supra, 193 Cal.App.4th at p. 555; Jason J., supra, 175 Cal.App.4th
at pp. 936-937; In re Derek W. (1999) 73 Cal. App. 4th 823, 827.) Although daily contact
is not necessary, the "parent must show he or she occupies a parental role in the child's
life, resulting in a significant, positive, emotional attachment between child and parent."
(C.F., supra, at p. 555; Derek W., supra, at p. 827; In re Elizabeth M. (1997) 52
Cal. App. 4th 318, 324.) "A friendly relationship . . . 'is simply not enough to outweigh
the sense of security and belonging an adoptive home would provide.' " (Jason J., supra,
175 Cal.App.4th at p. 938.) "Interaction between [a biological] parent and child will
always confer some incidental benefit to the child." (Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th
at p. 575.) "For the exception to apply, 'a parental relationship is necessary. . . .' " (In re
J.C. (2014) 226 Cal. App. 4th 503, 529.)
A court must balance the competing considerations (the benefits of continuing the
relationship with the biological parent versus the benefits of stability and permanence in
an adoptive home) " 'on a case-by-case basis and take into account many variables,
including the age of the child, the portion of the child's life spent in the parent's custody,
the "positive" or "negative" effect of interaction between parent and child, and the child's
particular needs.' " (In re Jasmine D. (2000) 78 Cal. App. 4th 1339, 1349-1350.)
"Because a section 366.26 hearing occurs only after the court has repeatedly found the
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parent unable to meet the child's needs, it is only in an extraordinary case that
preservation of the parent's rights will prevail over the Legislature's preference for
adoptive placement." (Id. at p. 1350.)
"We apply the substantial evidence standard of review to the factual issue of the
existence of a beneficial parental relationship, and the abuse of discretion standard to the
determination of whether there is a compelling reason for finding that termination would
be detrimental to the child." (In re Anthony B. (2015) 239 Cal. App. 4th 389, 395.)
B. Analysis
At the section 366.26 hearing, the court recognized that Father had regularly
visited with Y, and had manifested love and affection towards his daughter during the
visits. But the court also found the relationship was not the type of relationship that met
the standard for triggering the statutory exception. Overwhelming evidence supported
this finding.
The evidence showed Y regarded Father as a "friendly visitor" during her brief
twice-monthly visits with Father. As noted by the social worker, Father spent most of the
visits sitting next to Y and engaging in parallel play. There was no evidence that this
affectionate interaction between Father and Y resulted in the type of attachment that
would cause Y to be "greatly harmed if parental rights were terminated." (Jason J.,
supra, 175 Cal.App.4th at p. 938.)
In his brief, Father discusses evidence showing he engaged in various parental-
type tasks during the visits, including holding Y, walking around with her, kissing her,
checking her diapers, and giving her a bottle. However, the court had a reasonable basis
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to find these activities did not give rise to the type of relationship with Father that would
outweigh the benefits to be gained from an adoption. There was no evidence Father's
caretaking activities during his visits resulted in Y having an emotional parent-type
connection with him. She separated easily and did not look primarily to Father for
comfort or assistance during the visits.
Father's reliance on In re S.B. (2008) 164 Cal. App. 4th 289 is unhelpful. In S.B.,
this court found the court erred in terminating parental rights where the evidence showed
the father had been his child's primary caretaker for three years, and after one year apart
the child maintained a strong attachment to her father and would be "greatly harmed" by
the termination. (Id. at pp. 300-301.) There was no evidence that Y had a similarly
strong attachment to Father.
In his reply brief, Father contends that to satisfy the statutory exception a parent
need not show he or she was the primary caretaker or that the child has a "primary
attachment" to the parent. We agree with these assertions. In unusual cases, the courts
have applied the statutory exception despite that the parent did not have daily contact
with the child and/or where the child had a strong attachment to the current caregiver.
(See In re K.P. (2012) 203 Cal. App. 4th 614, 621; In re Scott B. (2010) 188 Cal. App. 4th
452, 470-472; In re Amber M. (2002) 103 Cal. App. 4th 681, 689-691; In re Casey D.
(1999) 70 Cal. App. 4th 38, 51.)
But there is no showing the court misunderstood these concepts. The record of the
section 366.26 hearing makes clear the court applied the correct legal principles to the
facts before it. The court quoted the Autumn H. language, emphasized the need for
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Father to show "a substantial, positive emotional attachment such that [Y] would be
greatly harmed" if rights were terminated, and properly focused on the relationship
between Father and Y. In so doing, the court did not err in also evaluating Y's
relationship with her maternal aunt. A child's status at the time of the section 366.26
hearing is relevant in determining whether the child's emotional bond with his or her
parent outweighs the benefits that an adoption would provide.
Finally, we reject Father's argument that the court abused its discretion in not
selecting guardianship with the maternal aunt as the proper plan. Because the court
found the beneficial parent-child exception asserted by Father was inapplicable and there
were no other compelling reasons that Y would suffer detriment from the termination, the
court did not have discretion to select a lesser plan.
DISPOSITION
Affirmed.
HALLER, J.
WE CONCUR:
NARES, Acting P. J.
O'ROURKE, J.
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