Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services v. Jasmin R. ( 2014 )

Filed 10/1/14
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION SIX
In re ERNESTO R., A Person Coming 2d Juv. No. B255116
Under the Juvenile Court Law. (Super. Ct. No. 1435791)
(Santa Barbara County)
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES,
Petitioner and Respondent,
v.
JASMIN R.,
Respondent and Appellant.
An attorney in a dependency case has no obligation to file a futile Welfare
and Institutions Code section 388 petition to modify an existing order.1 The decision not
to do so is not a "failure" within the meaning of ineffective assistance of counsel
jurisprudence. Use of the word "failure" carries the connotation of deficiency or
negligence i.e., not doing something that should have been done.
Jasmin R. appeals from an order terminating her parental rights to her son,
one year old Ernesto R., after reunification services were bypassed due to appellant's long
term substance abuse. Appellant claims that she was denied effective assistance of
counsel because her trial attorney "failed" to file a section 388 petition to modify an order
bypassing reunification services. Given appellant's dismal history of parenting two older
children who were removed from her custody and care, the filing of such a petition
"would have been a classic exercise in futility." (See People v. Eckstrom (1974) 43
Cal. App. 3d 946, 1003.) We affirm.
1
All statutory references are to the Welfare & Institutions Code.
1
Facts & Procedural History
Child Protective Services (CPS) filed a dependency petition for failure to
protect Ernesto. The petition documented appellant's chronic substance abuse and
alleged that she had enrolled in four court-ordered drug treatment programs but failed to
complete a single program. Appellant was on probation and continued to use drugs while
pregnant with Ernesto. Following a June 2013 arrest, appellant was offered the choice of
"maxing" out her sentence with jail time or enrolling in an inpatient drug treatment
program. She opted for the drug treatment program but suffered a drug relapse. Ernesto
was born in August 2013 and tested positive for marijuana.
Appellant was not a stranger in dependency court. She failed to reunify
with her two older children. Her child welfare history included a 2009 domestic violence
incident in which appellant took an overdose of Soma. Appellant tested positive for
amphetamine and was placed on a section 5150 psychiatric hold. Appellant was offered
reunification services from March 2009 to March 2011 but was non-compliant. On
August 30, 2011, the juvenile court terminated parental rights to appellant's daughter,
Lluvia. On October 18, 2011, appellant lost custody of Ernesto's older brother, Zayley,
after Zayley tested positive for amphetamine and marijuana at birth. The trial court
bypassed reunification services and terminated parental rights as to Zayley in April 2012.
After Ernesto was detained, CPS recommended that services be bypassed
due to appellant's chronic substance abuse. Appellant claimed that she was participating
in a drug treatment program, attending group meetings, and testing clean for drugs. The
trial court concluded that it was too little and too late. It found that appellant had not
made reasonable efforts to address the substance abuse problem that led to the removal of
Ernesto and that reunification services would not be in his best interests. The court
denied reunification services (§ 361.5, subds. (b)(10), (b)(11) & (b)(13)) and set the
matter for a permanent placement hearing.
At the contested section 366.26 hearing, CPS reported that Ernesto was
adoptable and bonded to his foster parents. Appellant was living at a shelter and
receiving an array of services. Although she regularly visited Ernesto, CPS remained
2
concerned about appellant's substance abuse and inability to maintain a sober lifestyle.
The section 366.26 report stated that mother "has participated in four court ordered
treatment programs since 2008, yet has been unable to maintain long term sobriety. The
mother has lost custody of all of her children due to her chronic substance abuse problem.
Despite having lost parental rights of two of her children she continued to use illegal
substances during her last pregnancy, disregarding the well being of her child."
Appellant filed an "Offer of Proof" claiming that: (1) she never missed a
visit with Ernesto; (2) provided food, diapers and clothing during visits; (3) she
transported herself to and from visits; (4) Ernesto recognized her and was happy to see
her; (5) she provided learning toys for Ernesto; (6) she interacted affectionately with
Ernesto; (7) she has been "clean" since June 2013; (8) she graduated from Recovery Way
Home, finished a parenting program, completed a Seek and Safety Program, completed a
12-week parenting program, and was enrolled in an individual and group drug treatment
program; (9) she obtained a sponsor; (10) she had submitted to drug testing; (11) she
attended NA meetings three to four times a week; (12) she was looking for employment;
and (13) she had made arrangements with Bridge House for Ernesto to stay with her.
Appellant argued that the beneficial parent-child relationship benefit
exception applied. The trial court found that Ernesto was adoptable, that appellant had
not met her burden of establishing the beneficial parent-child benefit exception (§ 366.26,
subd. (c)(1)(B)(i)), and terminated parental rights.
Claimed Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Appellant contends that she was denied effective assistance of counsel
because her trial attorney "failed" to file a section 388 petition showing a change of
circumstances that would trigger reunification services. To prevail on the claim,
appellant must show that counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness and resulting prejudice, i.e., had a section 388 petition been filed, it is
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reasonably probable that it would have been granted. (In re Jackson W. (2010) 184
Cal. App. 4th 247, 261; In re Emilye A. (1992) 9 Cal. App. 4th 1695, 1711.)2
A section 388 petition must show a change of circumstances and that
modification of the prior order would be in the best interests of the minor child. (In re
Casey D. (1999) 70 Cal. App. 4th 38, 47; In re Kimberly F. (1997) 56 Cal. App. 4th 519,
526.) To support a section 388 petition, the change in circumstances must be substantial.
(In re Heraclio (1996) 42 Cal. App. 4th 569, 577.) Appellant's recent sobriety reflects
"changing," not changed, circumstances. (See e.g., In re Casey D., supra, 70 Cal.App.4th
at p. 49.) Appellant has a history of drug relapses, is in the early stages of recovery, and
is still addressing a chronic substance abuse problem. (See In re Kimberly F. (1997) 56
Cal. App. 4th 519, 531, fn. 9 [" 'It is the nature of addiction that one must be "clean" for a
much longer period than 120 days to show real reform.' "]; In re Clifton B. (2000) 81
Cal. App. 4th 415, 423-424 [200 days of sobriety not enough].) Appellant's completion of
a drug treatment program, at this late a date, though commendable, is not a substantial
change of circumstances.
Even if there were a change in circumstances, appellant does not explain
how reunification services and liberalized visitation would be in Ernesto's best interests.
Ernesto has been in the care of his foster parents for the majority of his life and is bonded
to them. The foster parents have provided a nurturing environment and are committed to
adopting him. Granting a section 388 petition would delay selection of a permanent
home and not serve the child's best interests. (In re Casey D., supra, 70 Cal.App.4th at
p. 47.) "Childhood does not wait for the parent to become adequate. [Citation.]" (In re
Marilyn H. (1993) 5 Cal. 4th 295, 310.)
2
For a witty and insightful view of an appellate attack on the competence of trial counsel,
we recommend a reading of People v. Eckstrom, supra, 43 Cal. App. 3d 996. There in
typical "Gardnerian prose," we find Presiding Justice Gardner at his best. We reduce it to
two simple sentences but it loses something in the translation: Trial counsel is not
required to file a futile motion. (Id., at p. 1003.) The decision not to file such a motion is
not a denial of the effective assistance of counsel. (Id., at pp. 1003-1004.)
4
The factors to be considered in evaluating the child's best interests under
section 388 are: (1) the seriousness of the problem that led to the led to the dependency
and the reason for any continuation of that problem; (2) the strength of the child's bond
with his new caretakers compared with the strength of the child's bond with the parent,
and (3) the degree to which the problem leading to the dependency may be easily
removed or ameliorated, and the degree to which it actually has been. (In re Kimberly F.,
supra, 56 Cal.App.4th at pp. 531-532.) None of these factors favor the granting of a 388
petition.
In re Eileen A.
Citing In re Eileen A. (2000) 84 Cal. App. 4th 1248 (disapproved on another
ground by In re Zeth S. (2003) 31 Cal. 4th 396, 413-414), appellant contends that she had
"nothing to lose" and "had no place to go but up by filing a section 388 petition." But
this can be said of any similar case. Crediting appellant's theory would give judicial
imprimatur to the filing of unmeritorious section 388 petitions. (In re Edward H. (1996)
43 Cal. App. 4th 584, 593.)
Eileen A. is factually distinguishable and not here controlling. There,
reunification services were bypassed after the father severely physically abused the child.
Mother did not appreciate the significance of the child's injuries or take the child to a
doctor. (In re Eileen A., supra, 84 Cal.App.4th, at p. 1252.) The court concluded that
mother was denied effective assistance of counsel because her attorney did not file a
section 388 petition for services, which in the words of the court would have been "a
clear winner." (Id., at p. 1262) Before the section 366.26 hearing, mother divorced father
and "initiated what was, in effect, her own reunification plan, including counseling,
parenting classes, Al-Anon, and steps to keep [father] out of her life. [Father] - the actual
perpetrator of the original abuse - left the picture completely. There clearly was a
change of circumstances . . . ." (Id., at p. 1260.) The court acknowledged that the case
would be different if mother "was the perpetrator of the abuse . . . . [T]he 'problem' from
[mother's] point of view - was one of omission and ignorance. [It is] not in the same
category as drug abuse, crime, or being the 'offending parent'. . . ." (Id., at p. 1261.)
5
The instant 388 petition was not a "clear winner." It is a "clear loser" and
there is no parental "omission" and "ignorance." Appellant is a chronic drug abuser who
chose drugs over her children. She learned nothing from losing her two older children
except that she was placed on notice that she could lose custody of newborn children if
she continued to abuse drugs. This warning went unheeded. While pregnant with
Ernesto, appellant violated probation and used drugs. Ernesto tested positive for THC at
birth and has been in a foster home most of his life. He did enjoy supervised visits with
appellant. This, however, is not determinative. The trial court found that appellant loved
Ernesto but concluded there was no evidence that Ernesto had bonded with appellant or
that the parent-child relationship outweighed the benefits of adoption.
Unlike Eileen A., the social worker did not here recommend reunification
services. Nor is this a case where the problems leading to the dependency can be easily
removed or ameliorated. (See In re Kimberly F., supra, 56 Cal.App.4th at p. 532.) Like
alcoholism (In re Marcello B. (2012) 209 Cal. App. 4th 635) chronic drug abuse presents a
life-long challenge and may put children of such drug abusers in danger. Appellant has
not shown that trial counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness and that not filing a section 388 petition prejudiced her. (Strickland v.
Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687 [80 L. Ed. 2d 674, 693].) As indicated, "defense
counsel is not required to make futile motions or to indulge in idle acts to appear
competent. [Citations.]" (People v. Torrez (1995) 31 Cal. App. 4th 1084, 1091-1092; see
also People v. Weaver (2001) 26 Cal. 4th 876, 931.) Nor can appellant show that a
section 388 petition for services and liberalized visitation would have resulted in a more
favorable outcome.
Finally, we observe that a section 388 order for reunification services at this
late date would deprive Ernesto of a permanent, stable home in exchange for an uncertain
future. (In re C.J.W. (2007) 157 Cal. App. 4th 1075, 1081.) "Children should not be
6
required to wait until their parents grow up." (In re Rikki D. (1991) 227 Cal. App. 3d 1624,
1632.) 3
The judgment (section 366.26 order terminating parental rights) is affirmed.
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION.
YEGAN, J.
We concur:
GILBERT, P.J.
PERREN, J.
3
Appellant has filed a habeas petition (B256945) alleging the same ineffective assistance
of counsel claims In a separate order, filed concurrently with this opinion, we have
denied the petition for writ of habeas corpus.
7
Arthur A. Garcia, Judge
Superior Court County of Santa Barbara
______________________________
Maureen L. Keaney, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Appellant.
Michael C. Ghizzoni, County Counsel, County of Santa Barbara, Maria
Salido Novatt, Sr. Deputy and Bo L. Bae, Deputy, for Respondent
8