In re A.F. CA4/1 ( 2014 )

Filed 1/31/14 In re A.F. CA4/1
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
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COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
In re A.F., a Person Coming Under the
Juvenile Court Law.
D064176
SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY,
(Super. Ct. No. SJ12415)
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
E.F. et al.,
Defendants and Appellants.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Kenneth J.
Medel, Judge. Affirmed.
Leslie A. Barry, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant E.F.
Lauren K. Johnson, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant B.C.
Thomas E. Montgomery, County Counsel, John E. Philips, Chief Deputy County
Counsel, and Lisa M. Maldonado, Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
E.F. and B.C. (respectively, Father and Mother) are the unmarried parents of A.F.,
who is now four years old. The juvenile court terminated parental rights; found the
exception to termination of parental rights under Welfare and Institutions Code section
366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i)1 (the "continuing benefit exception") did not apply; and
ordered adoption as A.F.'s permanent plan.
Father appeals, arguing the court issued an unlawful visitation order more than a
year before the termination of parental rights; the visitation order led to the diminishment
of the bond between A.F. and Father, and the diminished bond led to termination of his
parental rights. We conclude Father forfeited this argument, as he did not timely
challenge the visitation order.
Mother also appeals, arguing the court's findings are not supported by substantial
evidence; the court considered improper factors when determining whether the
continuing benefit exception applied; and the court should have chosen guardianship as
A.F.'s permanent plan. We conclude substantial evidence supports the court's findings,
and the court did not consider improper factors in its determination.
We affirm the judgment.
1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.
2
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. A.F.'s Removal
In July 2010, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (the
Agency) filed a petition on A.F.'s behalf under section 300, subdivisions (b) and (g). The
Agency alleged that Father hit Mother in the face, injuring her and knocking her
unconscious. Police later discovered the parents smoking marijuana in A.F.'s presence
and arrested them, leaving A.F. without adequate care. Police also discovered ecstasy
pills under a mattress in the home. Father later acknowledged that the pills were his.
The juvenile court sustained the petition under section 300, subdivision (b), and
placed A.F. in the care of B.G. (the guardian), a nonrelative extended family member
who had raised Father from the age of 12. The court ordered family reunification
services. The parents' plans focused on their need for domestic violence and substance
abuse treatment. The court also ordered the parents to complete a parenting education
program and to participate in a 12-step program.
At the 12-month review hearing on September 14, 2011, the Agency reported that
the parents had not satisfactorily completed their reunification services and six additional
months of services would not be in A.F.'s best interests. The parents had not "involved
themselves in all aspects of their case plan, and [had], at best, made marginal progress on
the services they [had] engaged in." Moreover, the Agency reported the parents had both
used narcotics again; Mother had not participated in domestic violence treatment; and
Father remained in denial of his domestic violence issues. The Agency concluded that
returning A.F. to the parents would pose a grave risk to her safety and recommended
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termination of parental rights and setting a hearing to select and implement a permanency
plan under section 366.26. The court agreed, finding there was no substantial probability
that A.F. would be returned to the parents within six months. The court terminated
services and scheduled a permanency plan hearing.
Father petitioned this court for review of the juvenile court's order setting a
permanency plan hearing. We denied Father's petition for review. (E.F. v. Superior
Court (Jan. 6, 2012, D060543) [nonpub. opn.].)
B. The First Permanency Plan
On March 5, 2012, the juvenile court held a permanency plan hearing. In advance
of the hearing, the Agency filed a report in which it recommended adoption as A.F.'s
permanent plan. The Agency's recommendation was based on its assessment that the
parents had a playmate relationship with A.F. rather than fulfilling parental roles, the
parents' continuing relationship with each other, their poor judgment in lifestyle choices,
and their apparent lack of insight from the services the Agency provided them.
Despite this initial recommendation, the Agency later recommended guardianship
as A.F.'s permanent plan. It did so based on the request of the guardian, who asked that
Father be given an additional year to regain custody of A.F. Although the guardian
enjoyed caring for A.F. and was willing to adopt her, he expressed that he could not
adopt her in good conscience in light of his belief Father had a strong bond with her.
At the permanency plan hearing, the court appointed B.G. as A.F.'s legal guardian,
ordered that the parents have "reasonable" visitation, and terminated jurisdiction. In
doing so, the court specifically found that the continuing benefit exception to termination
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of parental rights applied to Father because he had maintained regular visitation with
A.F., shared a bond with her, and A.F. would benefit from a continuing relationship with
him. The court did not make such a finding with respect to Mother. With respect to
visitation, the court ordered: "The PARENTS is/are to have reasonable visitation with
the time, place, manner, frequency, and length of visitation to be determined by the
guardian(s) in the best interest of the child." The parents did not object to this order at
the time of the hearing or by way of appeal. Between March and September, the
guardian made A.F. available for visitation on a regular basis.
C. The Guardian's Section 388 Petition
Six months after the permanency plan hearing, the guardian stopped making A.F.
available for visitation with the parents, and filed a section 388 petition to modify the
court's March 2012 order. The guardian sought another permanency plan hearing,
requesting the court implement a more permanent plan for A.F. The guardian contended
the parents continued to maintain a volatile relationship, which included a new and
serious domestic violence incident. The guardian further contended A.F.'s "long[-]term
care and continued stability" would be improved "without the involvement of either of
the birth parents."
According to a National City Police Department crime report, Mother reported
that on September 13, 2012, Father drove her to a motel room against her will, punched
and bit her, and refused to let her leave once they arrived at the motel. The police officer
observed visible bruising on Mother's left arm and a "large" bite mark on the back of her
right shoulder. Father fled the scene and remained a fugitive until at least November 20,
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2012. On that date, Father called the guardian, stating he was "still on the run from the
police" and wished to see A.F. one final time before he surrendered. The guardian,
concerned about Father's intentions, denied the request.
At the January 9, 2013, hearing, the court granted the section 388 petition, finding
clear and convincing evidence that there was no substantial likelihood that A.F. and the
parents would be unified. The court scheduled a hearing to determine a new permanent
plan for A.F.2 Neither parent challenged this order.
D. The Second Permanency Planning Hearing
At the second permanency plan hearing held on July 5, 2013, the court considered
evidence contained in reports the Agency submitted on February 6, May 6, and June 19,
2013; the stipulated testimony of the parents; and counsels' arguments.3
1. The Agency's May 6, 2013, Report
The Agency's May 6, 2013, report includes details of various visits between A.F.
and the parents. The Agency opined that although A.F. seemed entertained when the
parents visited, she relied exclusively on the guardian and his girlfriend as her parental
figures and for her physical and emotional needs. A.F. did not show signs of emotion
when the visits ended, at times recoiled when Mother attempted to show her affection,
ignored Mother's request for help, and at times stated she wanted to go home. The social
worker observed A.F. act "bossy" towards Father, make a "loud yelling sound" when
2 The court reinstated jurisdiction over A.F. on December 12, 2012.
3 The record does not contain the February 6, 2013, report.
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Father kissed her, and easily left the visits and went home with the guardian and his
girlfriend.
The Agency opined that "it [was] clear at [that] time the parent[-]child bond [did]
not exist any longer" and that A.F. "view[ed] her caregiver and his girlfriend as parental
figures that [met] her basic needs; provide[d] her with emotional support and love; [and
were] consistent[] and stable people in her life." Although the parents had been
consistent in their visits since February 2013, A.F.'s relationship with them was one of
friend or playmate.
The Agency further opined the parents had not shown that they were capable of
providing A.F. a stable and safe environment due in part to their unstable and, at times,
violent relationship. The Agency recommended termination of parental rights and
adoption as A.F.'s permanent plan.
2. The Agency's June 19, 2013 Addendum Report
In the June 19, 2013 addendum report, the Agency continued to recommend that
the court terminate parental rights and choose adoption as A.F.'s permanent plan. The
Agency also updated the court on developments since its May 6 report. At Father's
request, the social worker arranged for a visit with A.F. on May 21, 2013. The guardian
transported A.F. to the Agency's office for the visit but, Father did not arrive because,
according to Mother, he was incarcerated again.
Mother had four visits with A.F. from May 14 to June 4, 2013, but missed visits
on May 7 and June 11. According to the social worker, the visitation center monitor
reported the visits were generally positive. However, during the visits on May 14 and
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May 28, A.F. noticed Mother's fingers were bandaged and asked what had happened;
Mother told A.F. her nail had fallen off. The Agency submitted screenshots of Mother's
social media posts that described her being "high" on "herb" and having her fingernail
torn, stating: "This is what happens to stupid drunk people."
The Agency again reported that although the parents visited A.F. on a regular
basis, she parted with no emotional reaction when the visits ended. A.F. viewed the
guardian and his girlfriend as her parental figures and looked to them to provide for her
physical and emotional needs. A.F. viewed Mother and Father only as close relatives.
The parents also continued making poor life choices, continued to have a relationship
with each other, and had not addressed the domestic violence issues in their relationship.
Although the parents loved A.F., they were not capable of parenting her. The Agency
opined the relationship between A.F. and the parents did not outweigh the benefits A.F.
would gain from adoption.
3. The Parents' Stipulated Written Testimony
By way of stipulated written testimony, Father testified he did not agree with the
adoption plan for A.F. because he had "such a great bond" with her. A.F. knew who he
was and called him "daddy." He testified she told him about her school and that she
loved the shoes Mother had given her, and stated she wanted to go to his house. Father
also testified A.F. often asked him about his family members. He testified he wished he
could have had more time with A.F., but the guardian limited his visits and did not allow
Father to care for her while the guardian was at work. Father stated A.F. missed him and
cried for him.
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In Mother's stipulated written testimony, Mother stated she also did not agree with
the Agency's recommendation of adoption as A.F.'s permanent plan because she had a
bond with A.F. that should not be severed. She testified A.F. called her "mommy."
Mother testified she always brought A.F. food at visits, and A.F. asked Mother for help
opening the food. Mother claimed she also provided A.F. with clothes, shoes, a
backpack, and toys. During visits, she and A.F. read together and practiced counting.
According to Mother, A.F. loved her because she always asked to go home with her.
4. The Court's Rulings
After considering the evidence contained in the Agency's reports, the stipulated
testimony of the parents, and counsels' arguments, the court found by clear and
convincing evidence that A.F. was likely to be adopted if the court terminated parental
rights. The court found A.F. would no longer benefit from a continuing relationship with
either parent, and the continuing benefit exception that previously applied to Father no
longer applied. The court then terminated parental rights, chose adoption as A.F.'s
permanent plan, designated the guardian as A.F.'s prospective adoptive parent, and
referred the matter to the Agency for adoption services.
DISCUSSION
I. Father's Appeal
Father concedes substantial evidence supports the court's July 2013 finding that
A.F. was adoptable and further concedes the court did not err when it found the
continuing benefit exception did not apply to him as of the second permanency plan
hearing. Instead, Father maintains his relationship with A.F. deteriorated because of the
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visitation order the court issued at the first permanency plan hearing in March 2012.
Specifically, he contends the trial court erred when it delegated all of its power over
visitation to the guardian, who in turn unilaterally cut off visitation in late 2012 when
Father was evading arrest. The Agency contends Father forfeited this argument because
he did not challenge the visitation order.
As an initial matter, we agree the juvenile court erred when it relinquished all
control over visitation to the guardian and at the very least should have set the frequency
and duration of the visits. (In re Rebecca S. (2010) 181 Cal. App. 4th 1310, 1314; In re
James R. (2007) 153 Cal. App. 4th 413, 436; In re M.R. (2005) 132 Cal. App. 4th 269, 274;
In re S.H. (2003) 111 Cal. App. 4th 310, 319.) However, neither Father nor Mother
challenged the court's visitation order in a timely manner despite the court's express
admonition that they may do so. Father now contends the eventual breakdown of his
bond with A.F. was the result of a visitation order he never challenged. However, both
parents sat on their rights both during the proper time to challenge the visitation order and
when the guardian changed visitation in late 2012.
The visitation order Father challenges issued in March 2012, and the time to
challenge that order has long passed. One purpose for such deadlines is to address
correctable errors in a timely manner so the impact of the error has limited or no
reverberations in the case as it progresses. This is particularly true in dependency matters
where the terms of visitation may influence a young child's relationship with a parent and
eventually lead to inevitable results at hearings in the future. Accordingly, we conclude
Father forfeited this issue because he did not raise it before the trial court or otherwise
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challenge the visitation order. (Kevin R. v. Superior Court (2010) 191 Cal. App. 4th 676,
686; In re Sheena K. (2007) 40 Cal. 4th 875, 880-881.)
In any event, even if Father had not forfeited this issue, the trial court's error was
harmless. Father contends the court's error allowed the guardian to unilaterally terminate
visitation and caused the diminishment of the father-child bond he shared with A.F.
However, this argument ignores Father's own role in the cessation of visitation. The
record clearly shows the guardian allowed Father to see A.F. on a regular basis until
Father's own conduct caused a change in the status quo. Following the domestic violence
incident in September 2012, the guardian ended Father's visitation to protect A.F. from
Father's objectively erratic and unsafe behavior and filed the section 388 petition. Faced
with Father's behavior, we have no doubt that to protect A.F., Father's visitation rights
would have been seriously curtailed by the court. In short, it was Father's conduct and
fugitive status which effectively changed his visitation with his child, not the court's
order delegating visitation authority to the guardian.
II. Mother's Appeal
Mother contends the court erred when it found that the continuing benefit
exception did not apply to her. She further asserts the court applied incorrect criteria to
this determination and should have chosen guardianship as A.F.'s permanent plan. We
conclude the court did not apply impermissible criteria, and substantial evidence supports
its findings.
At a permanency plan hearing, the court may order one of three alternatives:
adoption, guardianship, or long-term foster care. (In re S.B. (2008) 164 Cal. App. 4th 289,
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296-297.) If a child is adoptable, there is a strong preference for adoption over the
alternative permanency plans. (Id. at p. 297; San Diego County Dept. of Social Services
v. Superior Court (1996) 13 Cal. 4th 882, 888.) Once the court determines that a child is
likely to be adopted, the burden shifts to the parent to show that termination of parental
rights would be detrimental to the child under one of the exceptions listed in section
366.26, subdivision (c)(1). (In re Lorenzo C. (1997) 54 Cal. App. 4th 1330, 1343-1345.)
Section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i) provides an exception to termination of
parental rights when "[t]he parents have maintained regular visitation and contact with
the child and the child would benefit from continuing the relationship." In order to
overcome the statutory preference for adoption, the parent must prove that he or she
occupies a parental role in the child's life, resulting in a significant, positive emotional
attachment of the child to the parent. (In re Derek W. (1999) 73 Cal. App. 4th 823, 827; In
re Elizabeth M. (1997) 52 Cal. App. 4th 318, 324.)
In the context of section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i), " 'benefit' " means that
the parent-child relationship "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 re Autumn H. (1994) 27 Cal. App. 4th 567, 575.) "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." (Ibid.)
To review Mother's substantial evidence challenge, we view the evidence in the
manner most favorable to the prevailing party and indulge in all legitimate and
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reasonable inferences to uphold the court's ruling. (In re S.B., supra, 164 Cal.App.4th at
pp. 297-298; In re Misako R. (1991) 2 Cal. App. 4th 538, 545.) We do not reweigh the
evidence, evaluate the credibility of witnesses or resolve evidentiary conflicts. (In re
Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 576.)
Here, Mother bears the burden to show her bond is strong enough to confer more
than "some benefit" to the child to overcome the strong preference for adoption at the
permanency plan hearing. (In re Angel B. (2002) 97 Cal. App. 4th 454, 466.) Mother has
not shown her relationship with A.F. rose to a level that outweighs the benefits of
adoption. Although the record shows that Mother maintained regular visitation with
A.F., the record supports that A.F. did not have a significant, positive emotional
attachment to Mother and that A.F. would not be harmed by termination of parental
rights. Although A.F. seemed entertained when Mother visited, A.F. did not show
affection to Mother, recoiled and resisted Mother's affection, did not react emotionally
when Mother left, and seemed more excited to see Father. At best, Mother is A.F.'s
friendly visitor or extended family member. Mother has not shown she had the type of
substantial emotional attachment with A.F. such that termination of parental rights would
be detrimental to A.F. Thus, although A.F. would continue to glean some benefit from
her relationship with Mother, substantial evidence supports the trial court's determination
that the well-being A.F. would gain from permanent placement in the guardian's home far
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outweighed any benefit from a continued relationship with Mother. The court did not err
in finding that the continuing benefit exception did not apply to Mother.4
Mother also argues the trial court considered "impermissible factors" when it
found the continuing benefit exception did not apply. Specifically, she objects to the
court's consideration of the caregiver "stepp[ing] up" to care for A.F., the caregiver's
bond with A.F., and the caregiver's permanent presence and status as A.F.'s parental
figure. We are not persuaded. The court discussed these points in the context of the
parents' lack of any parental bond with A.F., and the comments ultimately weighed on
whether A.F. would suffer detriment if the court terminated parental rights. This is a
proper factor for the court to consider when determining whether the continuing benefit
exception applies.
Mother further contends the court should not have considered "the necessity of a
child to have a structured home environment with predictable routines." However, this
consideration simply reflects the underlying purpose of permanency plan hearings: to
provide a stable, permanent placement for a child. Viewed in this context, the court
considered nothing more than the very purpose of such hearings. The court was not
barred from discussing or considering this fundamental purpose, and we find no error in
its reasoning.
4 Our conclusion here forecloses Mother's final contention that the court "should
have chosen a permanent plan of guardianship or long-term foster care" rather than
terminate parental rights based on the "relationship [A.F.] had with [M]other."
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DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
HALLER, J.
WE CONCUR:
NARES, Acting P. J.
MCDONALD, J.
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