Filed 11/21/14 Adoption of Anthony 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NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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

Adoption of IN RE ANTHONY F., a 

Minor.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

MELISSA F.,

Defendant and Appellant.

 D066080

 (Super. Ct. No. NJ13312A)

APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Michael J. 

Imhoff, Commissioner. Affirmed.

Jamie A. Moran, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and 

Appellant. 

Thomas E. Montgomery, County Counsel, John E. Philips, Chief Deputy County 

Counsel, and Patrice Plattner-Grainger, Deputy County Counsel. 
2

Dependency Legal Group of San Diego and James Blackburn for Minor.

Melissa F. appeals from (1) a denial of her petition under Welfare and Institutions 

Code section 3881 to modify the prior order denying reunification services in the juvenile 

dependency case involving her son, Anthony F., and (2) the juvenile court's order 

selecting adoption as the permanent plan and terminating Melissa's parental rights. 

Melissa contends that the juvenile court should have held an evidentiary hearing 

on her section 388 petition, rather than denying it, because she showed changed 

circumstances based on her completion of a residential substance abuse treatment 

program and participation in parenting classes and therapy. Further, Melissa contends 

that her parental rights should not have been terminated because she established 

(1) Anthony is not likely to be adopted; (2) the sibling relationship exception to adoption 

applies; and (3) the beneficial relationship exception to adoption applies. We conclude 

that Melissa's arguments are without merit, and we accordingly affirm the judgment. 

I

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Anthony, who was born in 2006, has been the subject of three juvenile 

dependency petitions filed pursuant to section 300 by the San Diego County Health and 

Human Services Agency (the Agency). The first and second petition resulted in Melissa 

receiving reunification services and eventually having Anthony returned to her care. The 

 

1 Unless otherwise indicated, all further statutory references are to the Welfare and 

Institutions Code.
3

third dependency petition and the resulting order terminating Melissa's parental rights is 

the subject of this appeal. 

A. The First Dependency Petition

The Agency filed the first juvenile dependency petition when Anthony was less 

than one month old. The petition alleged that Melissa abused marijuana and 

methamphetamine, creating a substantial risk of serious physical harm to Anthony. 

Anthony's father was in prison, and Melissa had her parental rights to an older child 

terminated in November 2005 after the juvenile court ordered that reunification services 

be terminated for that child. 

The juvenile court declared Anthony a dependent, placed Anthony in a licensed 

foster home, and ordered that Melissa receive reunification services. Melissa participated 

in substance abuse treatment programs, took parenting classes and was in compliance 

with her case plan. At the 18-month review hearing in July 2007, the juvenile court 

followed the Agency's recommendation that Anthony be placed in Melissa's care, and in 

October 2007, the juvenile court terminated jurisdiction. 

B. The Second Dependency Petition

The Agency filed the second juvenile dependency petition in September 2009. 

The second petition was filed because Melissa relapsed into drug use and had been 

arrested for child cruelty and other offenses when she drove under the influence of drugs 

with Anthony in the vehicle. Specifically, in September 2009, Melissa was pulled over 

by law enforcement when she was observed driving erratically, on a suspended license, 

causing other cars to swerve out of the way. Three-year-old Anthony was sitting 
4

unrestrained in the front passenger seat. Melissa had methamphetamine in her pockets, 

and a fixed blade was sticking up in the front driver's door. Melissa reported to the 

Agency that she had relapsed into methamphetamine use after she started associating 

with the wrong people and stopped attending 12-step meetings. 

The juvenile court declared Anthony a dependent, placed him in the home of a 

non-relative extended family member and ordered reunification services for Melissa.2

Melissa made excellent progress on her services, which consisted of substance 

abuse treatment, individual therapy and parenting class. After a successful trial 

placement with Melissa, the juvenile court ordered that Anthony be returned to Melissa's 

care in May 2010, and it terminated jurisdiction in November 2010. 

C. The Third Dependency Petition

The Agency filed the third dependency petition, which gave rise to the current 

appeal, in July 2013 when Anthony was seven years old. The petition was filed after 

Melissa was arrested for willful cruelty to a child in May 2013 for driving under the 

influence of methamphetamine with Anthony's younger half-sister, F., in the car. F. was 

removed from Melissa's care immediately after the May 2013 incident, but a dependency 

petition was not filed as to Anthony at that time as he was being cared for by a relative. 

When Melissa took Anthony from the care of the relative in July 2013 and allowed her 

boyfriend, who had a history of substance abuse, to care for Anthony, the Agency took 

 

2 The juvenile court also ordered reunification services for Anthony's father, who 

was no longer incarcerated, but Anthony's father died from a stroke in September 2010. 
5

Anthony into protective custody and filed a juvenile dependency petition alleging a 

substantial risk that Anthony would suffer serious physical harm based on Melissa's 

inability to provide required care to him due to her substance abuse. 

The Agency recommended in the jurisdiction/disposition report filed August 2, 

2013, that Melissa not receive reunification services. As the Agency explained, Melissa 

had been unable to successfully parent any of her children, despite the fact that the 

Agency had repeatedly provided services to her. Most recently, after F. was taken into 

protective custody, Melissa was provided services, but walked out of those programs. 

The Agency noted that after being in Melissa's care since the last dependency 

proceedings were completed, Anthony was once again exposed to trauma and neglect, 

and was far behind his peers educationally and developmentally. When Anthony was 

taken into protective custody in July 2013, he presented with a flat affect and was unable 

to answer certain simple questions. 

On November 13, 2013, the juvenile court sustained the petition and declared 

Anthony a dependent. It adopted the Agency's recommendation to deny reunification 

services for Melissa and scheduled a section 366.26 hearing to select and implement a 

permanent plan. Anthony was placed with non-related extended family members. 

The juvenile court relied on section 361.5, subdivision (b)(10) and (11) to deny 

reunification services to Melissa. Under those statutory provisions, a juvenile court may 

deny reunification services when the parent has failed to reunify with a different child or 

has had parental rights terminated as to a different child and has failed to make a 
6

reasonable effort to treat the problems that led to removal of that child.3 As the juvenile 

court explained, those provisions applied to Melissa based on the termination of Melissa's 

parental rights to her oldest child in 2005 after reunification services were terminated. 

In finding that Melissa had not made a reasonable effort to treat the substance 

abuse that led to the termination of parental rights for her oldest child, the juvenile court 

noted Melissa's multiple relapses into substance abuse since 2005, and the fact that after 

having F. taken away from her in May 2013, Melissa had been in three different 

treatment programs and had several positive drug tests, with the most recent being in July 

2013. The juvenile court further explained that although it could nevertheless order 

reunification services if doing so was in Anthony's best interests (§ 361.5, subd. (c)), it 

was not in Anthony's best interests to reunify with Melissa because Anthony had been 

traumatized by the instability created by the multiple dependency proceedings and 

 

3 Under section 361.5, subdivision (b)(10), reunification services may be denied 

when the juvenile court finds that "the court ordered termination of reunification services 

for any siblings or half siblings of the child because the parent or guardian failed to 

reunify with the sibling or half sibling after the sibling or half sibling had been removed 

from that parent or guardian pursuant to Section 361 and that parent or guardian is the 

same parent or guardian described in subdivision (a) and that, according to the findings of 

the court, this parent or guardian has not subsequently made a reasonable effort to treat 

the problems that led to removal of the sibling or half sibling of that child from that 

parent or guardian."

Section 361.5, subdivision (b)(11) permits the juvenile court to deny reunification 

services when it finds that "the parental rights of a parent over any sibling or half sibling 

of the child had been permanently severed, and this parent is the same parent described in 

subdivision (a), and that, according to the findings of the court, this parent has not 

subsequently made a reasonable effort to treat the problems that led to removal of the 

sibling or half sibling of that child from the parent."
7

Melissa's substance abuse. In addition, Anthony had been diagnosed with cognitive and

developmental delays requiring special attention that Melissa had been unable to provide. 

On April 2, 2014, Melissa filed a petition under section 388, in which she asked 

the juvenile court to modify its November 13, 2013 order that denied reunification 

services to her. To establish the changed circumstances required for the section 388 

petition, Melissa stated that (1) she had been in a residential drug treatment program 

since January 14, 2014, which she was planning to complete within the month and then 

move to transitional housing; (2) she had tested negative for substance use; (3) she was 

taking a parenting class; and (4) she was participating in individual therapy sessions. 

The Agency opposed the section 388 petition. In its April 14, 2014 report, the 

Agency explained that Melissa had recently completed a residential drug treatment 

program in nine weeks by graduating early against the advice of her counselor, who 

believed that the nine-week treatment program was not sufficient to provide the tools for 

Melissa's long-term sobriety. The counselor felt that Melissa was not in the program to 

work on her sobriety but instead only to graduate from the program so she could seek 

reunification with her children. The counselor stated that Melissa " 'consistently turned 

in requirements late and required constant supervision' " and that she " 'made minimal 

progress while in treatment.' " The Agency pointed out that Melissa had previously 

completed treatment programs and had previously reunified with Anthony, but her 

substance abuse problems had returned in each previous instance. 

Further, although Melissa stated that she planned to enroll in outpatient treatment 

after leaving the residential treatment facility, she did not do so, and she was unable to 
8

provide the social worker with any plan for where she would live after leaving the 

residential treatment facility. The social worker was not able to reach Melissa after her 

graduation from the residential treatment facility, and Melissa had missed a visitation and 

phone call with Anthony since that time. Melissa had also been inconsistent or late in 

some of her visitation with Anthony in previous months, having not visited him at all 

from December 23, 2013, to February 5, 2014. 

On April 14, 2014, the juvenile court denied the section 388 petition, concluding 

that Melissa had not established a prima facie case of changed circumstances or that the 

modification would be in Anthony's best interests. 

At the hearing held pursuant to section 366.26 on May 2, 2014, the juvenile court 

terminated Melissa's parental rights and referred Anthony to the Agency to place him for 

adoption. 

II

DISCUSSION

A. The Juvenile Court Did Not Abuse Its Discretion in Denying Melissa's Section 388 

Petition for Modification of the Order Denying Reunification Services

We now turn to Melissa's first substantive argument, which is a challenge to the 

court's denial of her petition brought pursuant to section 388 to modify the order denying 

reunification services. 

1. Applicable Law

"A juvenile court order may be changed, modified or set aside under section 388 if 

the petitioner establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) new evidence or 
9

changed circumstances exist and (2) the proposed change would promote the best 

interests of the child. [Citation.] A parent need only make a prima facie showing of 

these elements to trigger the right to a hearing on a section 388 petition and the petition

should be liberally construed in favor of granting a hearing to consider the parent's 

request." (In re Zachary G. (1999) 77 Cal.App.4th 799, 806.) " 'A "prima facie"

showing refers to those facts which will sustain a favorable decision if the evidence 

submitted in support of the allegations by the petitioner is credited.' " (In re B.C. (2011) 

192 Cal.App.4th 129, 141.) "We review the juvenile court's summary denial of a section 

388 petition for abuse of discretion." (In re Anthony W. (2001) 87 Cal.App.4th 246, 250

(Anthony W.).)

Here, the juvenile court determined that Melissa had not established a prima facie 

case and accordingly denied the section 388 petition without an evidentiary hearing. 

Melissa contends that the juvenile court erred because her petition set forth sufficient 

facts to create a prima facie case of changed circumstances and established that provision 

of reunification services would be in the best interests of Anthony. As we will explain, 

we reject both contentions.

2. The Juvenile Court Acted Within Its Discretion in Concluding That Melissa 

Did Not Establish a Prima Facie Case of Changed Circumstances

Melissa contends that "the juvenile court abused its discretion in not at least 

holding an evidentiary hearing into the issues raised" because she "presented significant 

new evidence to the juvenile court in furtherance of her effort to be reunified with 

Anthony." Specifically, Melissa argues that her progress in completing her substance 
10

abuse treatment, her participation in parenting classes and individual therapy sessions, 

and her positive visits with Anthony show that circumstances had changed sufficiently to 

warrant the provision of reunification services. 

We begin our analysis by focusing on the basis for the juvenile court's denial of 

reunification services in November 2013. The juvenile court denied reunification 

services pursuant to section 361.5, subdivision (b)(10) and (11) because Melissa had not 

made reasonable efforts to treat the problems that led to the previous dependency 

proceedings. As we will explain, the juvenile court acted within its discretion to 

determine that as of April 2014, Melissa's section 388 petition did not show a change of 

circumstance with respect to the substance abuse problems that led to the previous 

dependency cases and to the filing of the instant dependency petition.

Although Melissa recently had completed a residential substance abuse treatment 

program, the reports from her counselor at the program were not positive. As we have 

explained, Melissa graduated from the program early, against the advice of her counselor. 

The counselor felt that Melissa had not addressed the substance abuse issues putting her 

at risk for another relapse and that Melissa had made only minimal progress in treatment. 

Further, Melissa had not enrolled in outpatient treatment after leaving the residential 

treatment facility and had missed or been late to visitation with Anthony since she filed 

the section 388 petition. Based on all that evidence, the juvenile court could reasonably 

conclude that Melissa had not shown that circumstances had changed and that she had 

taken steps to address her past parenting problems. 
11

Melissa argues that the juvenile court should have held an evidentiary hearing 

rather than deny her petition on the ground that she did not establish a prima facie case. 

However, because the petition did not allege any facts showing sufficiently changed 

circumstances, there is no merit to Melissa's argument that an evidentiary hearing should 

have been conducted to determine whether evidence of changes circumstances could be 

developed. (See In re Edward H. (1996) 43 Cal.App.4th 584, 593 ["If a petitioner could 

get by with general, conclusory allegations, there would be no need for an initial 

determination by the juvenile court about whether an evidentiary hearing was 

warranted."].) The most that can be said is that there may have been changing

circumstances, not changed circumstances. A showing of merely changing 

circumstances, however, "is not sufficient to require a hearing on the merits of [Melissa's]

section 388 petition." (In re A.S. (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 351, 358.) The petition did not 

set forth any facts indicating that Melissa was now capable of protecting Anthony and 

otherwise providing for his needs. (See Anthony W., supra, 87 Cal.App.4th at p. 251

[conclusory allegations of completion of parenting class and regular visits with child 

insufficient to make prima facie showing of changed circumstances].)

3. The Juvenile Court Acted Within Its Discretion in Concluding That 

Modifying the Order Denying Reunification Services Was Not in Anthony's 

Best Interests 

Melissa briefly argues that because she has addressed her substance abuse issues, 

she is now capable of providing a stable environment for Anthony, and thus it was in 

Anthony's best interests for the juvenile court to modify its order denying her 

reunification services.
12

We reject this argument because its factual premise fails. As we have explained, 

the evidence before the juvenile court showed that Melissa still presented a significant 

risk for relapse into substance abuse because she had not made significant progress in her 

residential treatment program and had not followed through by enrolling in outpatient 

treatment. 

Anthony "should not be made to wait indefinitely for [Melissa] to become an

adequate parent." (Anthony W., supra, 87 Cal.App.4th at p. 252.) The juvenile court 

could reasonably conclude that, due to the trauma that Anthony had undergone by being 

the subject of three different dependency proceedings, and the lack of evidence that 

Melissa had taken significant steps in treating her substance abuse, Anthony's interest in 

permanency and stability outweighed any interest he may have had in the possibility of 

reunification with Melissa. 

In sum, the juvenile court did not err in denying Melissa's section 388 petition.

B. The Juvenile Court Did Not Err in Terminating Parental Rights

We next consider Melissa's contention that for three different reasons, the juvenile 

court erred in terminating her parental rights so that Anthony could be placed for 

adoption. 

"Adoption, where possible, is the permanent plan preferred by the Legislature. . . .

'Only if adoption is not possible, or if there are countervailing circumstances, or if it is 

not in the child's best interests are other, less permanent plans, such as guardianship or 

long-term foster care considered.' . . . After the parent has failed to reunify and the court 

has found the child likely to be adopted, it is the parent's burden to show exceptional 
13

circumstances exist." (In re Autumn H. (1994) 27 Cal.App.4th 567, 573-574, citations 

omitted (Autumn H.).)

Here, Melissa contends that exceptional circumstances exist and the juvenile court 

erred in terminating her parental rights so that Anthony could be placed for adoption 

because (1) Anthony was not likely to be adopted; (2) the sibling relationship exception 

to adoption applies; and (3) the beneficial relationship exception to adoption applies. As 

we will explain, Melissa's arguments lack merit.

1. The Evidence Supports a Finding That Anthony Was Likely To Be Adopted

The juvenile court may terminate parental rights if it determines by clear and 

convincing evidence the minor is likely to be adopted within a reasonable time.

(§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1); In re Zeth S. (2003) 31 Cal.4th 396, 406; In re B.D. (2008) 159 

Cal.App.4th 1218, 1231.) " 'The issue of adoptability . . . focuses on the minor, e.g., 

whether the minor's age, physical condition, and emotional state make it difficult to find a 

person willing to adopt the minor.' " (Zeth S., at p. 406.) "On review, we determine 

whether the record contains substantial evidence from which the court could find clear 

and convincing evidence that the child was likely to be adopted within a reasonable 

time. . . . We give the court's adoptability finding the benefit of every reasonable 

inference and resolve any evidentiary conflicts in favor of the judgment of the trial 

court." (In re B.D., at p. 1232, citations omitted.)

Here, the record contains substantial evidence that Anthony is likely to be adopted. 

The social worker reported that, according to the adoption coordinator, there are 31 

approved families in San Diego County that are interested and willing to adopt a child 
14

with Anthony's characteristics. Further, the foster family that Anthony has been living 

with since the end of March 2014 has expressed an interest in adopting Anthony and has

been approved for adoption. 

Melissa argues that the juvenile court erred in finding that Anthony was likely to 

be adopted because of Anthony's history of developmental and cognitive problems. 

Melissa also contends that Anthony may not be a likely candidate for adoption because 

the original family that the Agency had identified as possibly being interested in adopting 

Anthony became unavailable. We reject Melissa's arguments. 

Although the record contains evidence that Anthony has certain developmental 

and cognitive problems, due in part to the trauma and neglect he has experienced, the 

social worker nevertheless opined that Anthony was adoptable. The juvenile court was 

entitled to credit the social worker's assessment. (In re Casey D. (1999) 70 Cal.App.4th 

38, 53.) 

In addition, the record shows that the first prospective adoptive family withdrew 

from consideration because of issues unique to that family, not because of any problems 

with Anthony. Supporting a finding that Anthony is likely to be adopted, the Agency had 

no problem in quickly identifying a new family interested in adopting Anthony. "[T]he 

fact that a prospective adoptive parent has expressed interest in adopting the minor is 

evidence that the minor's age, physical condition, mental state, and other matters relating 

to the child are not likely to dissuade individuals from adopting the minor. In other 

words, a prospective adoptive parent's willingness to adopt generally indicates the minor 

is likely to be adopted within a reasonable time either by the prospective adoptive parent
15

or by some other family." (In re Sarah M. (1994) 22 Cal.App.4th 1642, 1649-1650, 

italics deleted.)

2. Melissa Has Not Established the Sibling Relationship Exception to 

Adoption

We next consider whether Melissa established the sibling relationship exception to 

adoption. That exception applies when terminating parental rights would be detrimental 

to the child because "[t]here would be substantial interference with [the] child's sibling 

relationship . . . ." (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(v).) "In enacting this exception, the 

[L]egislature was concerned with preserving long-standing relationships between siblings 

which serve as anchors for dependent children whose lives are in turmoil." (In re Erik P.

(2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 395, 404.) "To show a substantial interference with a sibling 

relationship the parent must show the existence of a significant sibling relationship, the 

severance of which would be detrimental to the child." (In re L.Y.L. (2002) 101 

Cal.App.4th 942, 952.) Factors relevant to the analysis include whether the child and the 

sibling were raised together in the same home, whether they shared significant common 

experiences, whether they have a close and strong bond, and whether continued contact 

with the sibling is in the child's best interests compared to the benefit of legal permanence 

through adoption. (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(v).)

The " ' "sibling relationship exception contains strong language creating a heavy 

burden for the party opposing adoption" ' " (In re Naomi P. (2005) 132 Cal.App.4th 808, 

823), and "the application of this exception will be rare, particularly when the 
16

proceedings concern young children whose needs for a competent, caring and stable 

parent are paramount." (In re Valerie A. (2007) 152 Cal.App.4th 987, 1014.) 

We apply a substantial evidence standard of review to the factual issue of whether 

termination of parental rights would cause substantial interference with a sibling 

relationship. (In re L.Y.L., supra, 101 Cal.App.4th at p. 947.) However, to the extent that 

the juvenile court exercises its discretion to determine whether substantial interference 

with a sibling relationship constitutes a compelling reason for determining that 

termination would be detrimental to the child, we apply an abuse of discretion standard of 

review. (In re J.C. (2014) 226 Cal.App.4th 503, 530; In re K.P. (2012) 203 Cal.App.4th 

614, 622; In re Bailey J. (2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 1308, 1315.)

Until recently, Anthony had lived in the same home with his younger half-sister, 

F., since her birth in 2012. The social worker reported that F. and Anthony share a close 

bond. The Agency reported that F.'s father was being provided with reunification 

services for F., who was currently placed with a relative. Anthony's foster parents, who 

want to adopt Anthony, are willing to facilitate a relationship between F. and Anthony, 

and they are willing to have F. move into their home and to adopt F. if she does not 

reunify with her father. F.'s father is also willing to allow visitation between the siblings. 

The sibling relationship exception to adoption is applicable only when there is 

substantial interference with the sibling relationship. (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(v).) 

Because Anthony's prospective adoptive parents will allow sibling contact and are willing 

to adopt F. if she is not reunited with her father, the juvenile court reasonably could find 

that termination of Melissa's parental rights to Anthony would not cause a substantial 
17

interference with the sibling relationship between F. and Anthony. (In re Megan S.

(2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 247, 254 [when the social worker planned to place the child in 

one of 25 possible adoptive homes that would allow sibling contact, there would be no 

substantial interference with the sibling relationship].)

Further, to the extent that future contact between the siblings might not occur after 

termination of Melissa's parental rights, the trial court was within its discretion to 

determine that due to the extreme trauma experienced by Anthony through the course of 

three dependency proceedings, the stability that Anthony would finally gain through an 

adoptive placement would outweigh any detriment to him from losing the benefits of his 

bond with F. (In re L.Y.L., supra, 101 Cal.App.4th at pp. 952-953.)

3. Melissa Has Not Established the Beneficial Relationship Exception to 

Adoption

Finally, we consider whether Melissa has established the beneficial relationship 

exception to adoption. That exception applies when 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." 

(§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(i).) The phrase "benefit from continuing the relationship"

refers 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 the 

sense of belonging a new family would confer. If severing the natural parent[-]child 
18

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 p. 575.)

We apply a substantial evidence standard of review to a finding on whether a 

beneficial relationship exists. (Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 576.) To the

extent the juvenile court exercises its discretion in determining whether it would be 

detrimental to the child to terminate a beneficial relationship that it has found to exist, we 

apply an abuse of discretion standard of review. (In re J.C., supra, 226 Cal.App.4th at 

p. 530.)

Melissa argues that the beneficial relationship exception applies because the 

evidence regarding her visitation with Anthony shows that she has a positive parental 

relationship with Anthony that "is worth saving." Based on the evidence before the 

juvenile court, substantial evidence supports a finding that Melissa did not have the type 

of parental relationship with Anthony that warrants the application of the beneficial 

relationship exception.

To meet the burden of proof for the beneficial relationship exception, "the parent 

must show more than frequent and loving contact, an emotional bond with the child, or 

pleasant visits — the parent must show that he or she occupies a parental role in the life 

of the child." (In re I.W. (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 1517, 1527; see also (In re Jason J.

(2009) 175 Cal.App.4th 922, 936-937 (Jason J.); In re Derek W. (1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 

823, 827 (Derek W.).) The evidence must establish more than merely "a loving and 

happy relationship" (In re Beatrice M. (1994) 29 Cal.App.4th 1411, 1419), and the parent
19

must be more than " 'a friendly visitor.' " (Jason J., at p. 938.) "A child who has been 

adjudged a dependent of the juvenile court should not be deprived of an adoptive parent 

when the natural parent has maintained a relationship that may be beneficial to some 

degree, but that does not meet the child's need for a parent." (In re Angel B. (2002) 97 

Cal.App.4th 454, 466.)4 

As the social worker explained, based on the interactions between Melissa and 

Anthony, Melissa "does not appear to have a parent-child relationship with Anthony" 

and instead has what "could be observed as an extended family member relationship."

Although Melissa tries to engage Anthony during visits, he "does not stay in close 

proximity to his mother," "does not initiate affection" and often does not respond to 

Melissa's attempts to be affectionate. According to the social worker, Anthony enjoys 

spending time with Melissa, but "does not count on her to meet his needs as he would

with a parent" and "does not exhibit any distress when leaving her and does not talk about 

her or ask for her when he is not in her presence."

Based on this evidence, the juvenile court reasonably could conclude that Melissa 

did not establish that she "occupies a parental role in the life of the child." (In re I.W.,

 

4 Melissa relies heavily on our decision in In re S.B. (2008) 164 Cal.App.4th 289, 

299, where we held a parent relying on the beneficial parent-child relationship exception 

to adoption does not have "to prove the child has a 'primary attachment' to the parent, or 

to show the parent and the child have maintained day-to-day contact." But we have since 

"emphasize[d] that [In re] S.B. is confined to its extraordinary facts. It does not support 

the proposition a parent may establish the parent-child beneficial relationship exception 

by merely showing the child derives some measure of benefit from maintaining parental 

contact." (In re C.F. (2011) 193 Cal.App.4th 549, 558-559; accord, Jason J., supra, 175 

Cal.App.4th at p. 937.)
20

supra, 180 Cal.App.4th at p. 1527), and that Melissa's relationship to Anthony "bears no 

resemblance to the sort of consistent, daily nurturing that marks a parental relationship."

(Derek W., supra, 73 Cal.App.4th at p. 827.)

Although, as the social worker noted, Melissa "clear[ly] . . . loves Anthony," the 

positive aspects of Melissa's relationship with Anthony are " '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.) The beneficial relationship exception does 

not apply, as "[t]here is no evidence [Anthony] had any needs only [Melissa] can satisfy, 

or that he has the type of emotional attachment to [Melissa] that would cause him to be 

greatly harmed if parental rights were terminated." (Ibid.) 

DISPOSITION

The judgment is affirmed.

IRION, J.

WE CONCUR:

BENKE, Acting P. J.

NARES, J.