Court Opinion

ID: 2641617
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-11-08 01:02:35.981801+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:51:51.857608
License: Public Domain

Filed 11/7/13 In re Sofia C. CA2/2
                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                     SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION TWO

In re SOFIA C., a Person Coming Under                                B247956
the Juvenile Court Law.                                              (Los Angeles County
                                                                     Super. Ct. No. CK85623)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND
FAMILY SERVICES,

         Plaintiff and Respondent,

         v.

THOMAS V.,

         Defendant and Appellant;

E.C.,

         Defendant and Respondent.

         APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. D. Zeke
Zeidler, Judge. Affirmed.
         Daniel G. Rooney, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Thomas V.
         No appearance on behalf of Plaintiff and Respondent.
       Grace Clark, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Respondent E.C.
       No appearance for Minor.
                                          ******

       Thomas V. (Father) appeals from a Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 366.26
order terminating his parental rights to his daughter, Sofia C. (the child). Father claims
the trial court abused its discretion in denying his section 388 petition and committed
reversible error in failing to apply the section 366, subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i) exception to
termination of parental rights. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and
Family Services (Department) has not filed an opening brief as it was aligned with Father
in the juvenile court. E.C. (Mother) has filed an opening brief in support of the juvenile
court’s order denying the section 388 petition and terminating parental rights. We affirm
the order terminating parental rights in its entirety.
                  FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
       The Department filed a section 300 petition on behalf of the three-day-old child in
December 2010. As sustained, the petition alleged the child was born suffering from a
detrimental condition consisting of a positive toxicology screen for amphetamine and
methamphetamine. The condition could not have existed except as the result of Mother’s
unreasonable acts, which placed the child at serious risk of physical and emotional harm.
Mother had a positive toxicology screen for amphetamine and methamphetamine at the
time of the child’s birth. Father failed to take action to protect the child when he knew of
Mother’s illicit drug use. Mother’s substance abuse and Father’s failure to protect the
child endangered and placed at risk the child’s physical and emotional health and safety.
       The sustained petition further alleged Mother had a history of substance abuse
including cocaine and marijuana. Mother was a current user of amphetamine and
methamphetamine which rendered her incapable of providing regular care for the child.

1     All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless
otherwise indicated.
                                               2
Mother used amphetamine and methamphetamine while she was pregnant with the child.
Mother’s substance abuse endangered the child’s physical and emotional health.
       The sustained allegations against Father were that he had a history of substance
abuse and was a current user of methamphetamine, which rendered him incapable of
providing regular care for the child. Father’s substance abuse endangered the child’s
physical and emotional health and safety and created a detrimental home environment
placing the child at risk.
       The Department’s detention report stated the child had been placed with R.N.
(Step-Maternal Grandmother). The report also outlined 23-year-old Mother’s drug abuse
history which, according to M.C. (Maternal Grandfather), dated back to when she was
14 or 15 years old. Mother stated she first used marijuana recreationally. She began
smoking methamphetamine when she was 18 years old. Mother smoked “‘about $20’”
each time. Mother smoked off and on for a while. Mother then began smoking twice a
week until she stopped in June 2010 when she found out she was pregnant. Mother used
methamphetamine the first trimester of her pregnancy because she did not know she was
pregnant. Mother stated that Father and she smoked methamphetamine together. They
were together for two years during which time they used drugs together.
       Maternal Grandfather stated Mother met Father when she was about 20 or 21.
When Maternal Grandfather visited their home, he observed security cameras outside the
home and padlocks on the door. Mother asked Maternal Grandfather if he knew where
Father could get a water meter for Father’s new “‘agriculture business.’” The house
smelled of marijuana and Maternal Grandfather observed marijuana plants in the home.
Mother showed Maternal Grandfather a medical marijuana card. Maternal Grandfather’s
son told him Father was a drug dealer. Maternal Grandfather believed Father was a
dealer because of the plants and individuals going in and out of the home.
       During Mother’s pregnancy, Maternal Grandfather and his wife attempted to get
Mother the help she needed to treat her addiction. Mother received inpatient drug
treatment until August 2010. According to Maternal Grandfather, Mother was kicked out
of the treatment center. When Mother was kicked out of the drug treatment center in

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August 2010, he allowed her to stay in their home in November 2010. Mother was given
rules she had to follow if she wanted to live in the home. On November 22, 2010,
Maternal Grandfather noticed on more than one occasion, that during Mother’s last week
of pregnancy she would have a “burst of energy.” L.S. (Maternal Grandmother)
suspected Mother used drugs during the last week of the pregnancy when Mother went
out to dinner with Father. Mother admitted to Maternal Grandmother that Father grew
marijuana for sale.
       At the detention hearing, the juvenile court found Father to be the presumed
father. The child was detained. The parents were given family reunification services and
monitored visits and the Department was given discretion to liberalize visitation. Father
would be allowed unmonitored visits once he enrolled in a program and tested clean. The
Department was ordered to explore the possibility of giving the paternal grandparents
visits every other weekend and have them act as Father’s monitors.
       In an interim report, the Department stated that efforts to evaluate the paternal
grandparents’ home were unsuccessful. Paternal Grandmother expressed skepticism
about the child’s paternity. She was willing to have the placement if it was Father’s child
but she needed “a DNA.” The paternal grandparents did not attend a scheduled
interview.
       In the jurisdiction/disposition report, the Department stated Father was not sure if
the child was his. Father did not appear for drug testing on December 8, 2010 and
December 20, 2010. Father did not return the social worker’s call regarding a live-scan
request for the paternal grandparents. Father also did not appear for a scheduled
interview with the social worker.
       When Father visited with the child on December 3, 2010, he was accompanied by
the paternal grandparents and an unknown female. Paternal Grandmother asked for a
paternity test at the visit. Father missed visits on December 5, 8, and 19, 2010 and did
not call to cancel or reschedule the visits. Father did not appear on December 15, 2010
after confirming a visit. On December 22, 2010, he called at 7:51 p.m. for a scheduled

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7:30 p.m. visit. When Father showed up, the baby was asleep. Father appeared to be
high. His eyes were droopy. His speech was mumbled, rapid and difficult to understand.
       A contested jurisdiction/disposition hearing was held on April 27, 2011. The
juvenile court sustained 3 counts under section 300, subdivision (b) and dismissed one
count. The Department was ordered to provide family reunification services. Father and
Mother were given monitored twice weekly visits with discretion to liberalize. Father
and Mother were ordered to participate in individual and drug counseling. Father and
Mother were ordered to submit to random drug testing.
       By October 2011, Father was living in Redding, California and had only visited
the child three times. Each time, the Step-Maternal Grandmother observed Father
appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Father did not engage the child during the
visits. Father did not comply with the case plan and did not drug test. After contacting
the social worker to inform her of his decision to relocate to Redding, Father requested a
good-bye visit with the child. Father refused to have the visit after realizing the Step-
Maternal Grandmother would monitor the visit and he did not offer an approved
substitute monitor.
       The child was living with Step-Maternal Grandmother and Maternal Grandfather
(caregivers), who wanted to adopt her. The child was observed to be happy, neatly
groomed, clean and thriving. Her caregivers had a strong bond with her. Mother had not
demonstrated a willingness to reunify with the child. Mother had stopped visiting around
March 2011 and had no bond with the child. From the onset of the case until February
2011, Mother was in compliance with the case plan, which included increased visitation
time with the child and overnight visits in the caregivers’ home. However, on
February 28, 2011, during a visit, Mother’s eyes were extremely dilated. On March 25,
2011, Mother was discharged from a drug treatment program for lack of participation and
missed drug tests.
       In January 2012, the Department reported Father had enrolled on October 28, 2011
in an inpatient substance abuse program in Sacramento. The program had strict
communication rules for the program participants so contact with Father was limited.

                                              5
Father was transferred to the San Diego branch of the program on November 28, 2011.
Father’s counselor stated Father was active in the program, and the social worker stated
that Father seemed to be committed to sobriety. However, Father’s commitment to the
child was uncertain because of his lack of communication with the social worker. Father
had not visited with the child. Mother had not complied with court orders or the case
plan. Mother’s visits were inconsistent. The Department recommended that family
reunification services be terminated and that a section 366.26 hearing be set.
       On January 3, 2012, the juvenile court found Mother failed to comply with court
orders and the case plan. The court terminated family reunification services for Mother.
The matter was continued as to Father for a contested hearing.
       In February 2012, the Department reported the child was doing well in her
placement. The child was healthy and appeared to have a nurturing attachment to her
caregivers. The child’s daycare provider stated the child was incredibly bright, got along
well with others, and was very happy and playful.
       On January 13, 2012, the social worker provided Father with referrals to
individual therapy, drug rehabilitation programs, drug/alcohol testing and parenting
classes. Father also received a bus pass. The social worker confirmed that Father
enrolled in parenting classes. There was a discrepancy concerning Father’s participation
in random drug testing because Father was listed as a no show on one document.
Another form indicated Father appeared for the drug test. Father was given a referral for
individual therapy on January 27, 2012, however, Father did not comply with the court
order for individual therapy. On January 30, 2012, Father stated he had completed four
months of substance abuse and wanted to focus on the parenting class and obtaining a
job.
       Father had six visits with the child during January 2012. The caregivers observed
that Father appeared to be uncertain of how to relate to and bond with the child. Paternal
Grandmother was present during all the visits. The child was still adjusting to Father and
had not developed a healthy attachment to him. Father lacked the parenting skills and

                                             6
confidence to appropriately care for the child. The visits were “of fair quality,” however,
it was “apparent” Father needed more parenting education.
       In March 2012, the Department reported that Father was in partial compliance
with the case plan. Father had four negative drug tests. The social worker encouraged
Father to enroll in another substance abuse program as well as Narcotics Anonymous
classes.
       Father visited consistently with the child, who generally cried for the first five to
ten minutes. She would then warm up to Father and be comfortable in his presence.
Father was appropriate and attentive towards her needs. Father provided toys, food,
coloring books and a baby laptop. Father would draw and play with the child. The child
was observed running up and hugging Father on occasions. Because the visits had only
occurred for two months, it was unclear how bonded the child was to Father.
       Father informed the social worker that he was currently planning to divorce a
woman whom he married in 2006 to assist her with her immigration status. Father stated
that he never lived with the woman.
       The Department assessed Father as willing and motivated towards reunifying with
the child. Although he was making progress and was consistently visiting, the
Department was concerned because Father was absent for a majority of the child’s life.
Father appeared determined to learn new parenting skills and to bond with the child.
Father did not have confidence and had not developed a healthy attachment with the
child. The Department recommended continued reunification services for Father and the
child. On March 9, 2012, the juvenile court found Father was in compliance with the
case plan.
       In June 2012, the Department reported that since January 2012, Father had begun
to make steps towards addressing the case issues that required intervention in the family.
However, Father seemed to only “be going through the motions” or what he called
department “hoops.” Father was very resistant to doing individual therapy. He stated he
did not understand why he needed to go. But, Father did enroll in individual therapy on
April 13, 2012. Father’s attendance was consistent and punctual. Father was candid

                                              7
about his substance abuse issues and was receptive to feedback. Father appeared
motivated to obtain custody of the child as he wanted to be a positive influence in her
life.
        Father enrolled in a drug rehabilitation program on March 5, 2012. Since
January 26, 2012, Father had been participating in a 26-week parenting class. Father had
been participating in drug testing with negative results for all substances since March 8,
2012. Father’s visits with the child were consistent. Father came prepared with snacks
and toys. The child was no longer frightened of Father. She would wave and smile when
she saw him. However, it did not appear that the child had a strong attachment to Father.
Father struggled on how to connect and relate to the child. Father did not call her by her
name, rather, he called her “baby.”
        Father became upset when the social worker told him that reunification services
were about him and the child and that the paternal grandparents could not be present
during all of the visits. Paternal Grandmother claimed the Department would not let
them see the “baby” even though she had twice a month visits. During one visit with the
child on April 13, 2012, Father was disengaged from the child. He watched the paternal
grandparents interact and play with the child. The child only appeared to be engaged
with Paternal Grandfather and she did not seem comfortable with Father or Paternal
Grandmother. Father said he wanted to step back so his parents could spend some time
with the child.
        The Department believed that the paternal grandparents were overly involved in
Father’s life. Paternal Grandmother frequently spoke on Father’s behalf. It appeared
Father lacked assertiveness skills. It was not clear whether Father was attempting to
reunify with the child for himself or for his parents. Father deferred to his parents and
allowed them to take charge. Father relinquished his parental authority role to his
parents. Paternal Grandparents were in denial of Father’s substance abuse. Paternal
Grandparents minimized Father’s long history of selling and using marijuana by saying
Father only used for a short time. The Department was concerned about this family

                                             8
dynamic because Father would be living with Paternal Grandparents, who had a strong
interest in protecting Father, possibly to the detriment of the child.
       The Department noted that Father had previously failed to provide the child with
appropriate care, housing and supervision. Father did not have a strong attachment with
the child, which could cause detriment to her emotional well-being. The child had a
strong bond with her caregivers and had thrived while under their care.
       The Department identified adoption as the appropriate permanent plan for the
child. The prospective adoptive family (the maternal grandparents) had an approved
adoptive home study. Their home provided stability and was appropriate for the child’s
needs. The child bonded to both Step-Maternal Grandmother and Maternal Grandfather.
After the April 2011 disposition hearing, Father did not begin to comply with the case
plan until January 2012. Prior to that time, Father visited the child only five times.
Father did not call to check on her or have visitation. Father said he was struggling to get
his life together and opted not to visit at all because the caregiver made his visits so
painful.
       While noting Father’s enrollment in parenting classes, the Department indicated
he lacked the parental skills needed to appropriately care for the child. The visits were of
“fair quality” but Father needed more parenting education. The child was still adjusting
to Father. It did not appear that she had developed “a deep and meaningful attachment”
to Father.
       In May 2012, the Department conducted a risk assessment regarding the
possibility of reuniting the child with Father. The risk level was “high” for future
abuse/neglect. Father did not have a healthy relationship with the child. Father also had
a long history of substance abuse as well as a history of not being involved with the child.
The Department recommended that the juvenile court terminate family reunification
services for Father and set a permanent plan hearing.
       In a last minute information for the court filed on June 4, 2012, the Department
reported Father was not complying with court orders. Father attended nine group
outpatient substance abuse program sessions and missed seven sessions. Father attended

                                              9
ten classes at Valley Family Center and missed seven classes. On May 25, 2012, Mother
told the social worker Father asked her if she wanted to go on a visit with him that day.
Father was informed that his visits were only for him and Father stated he understood.
The social worker later learned Father took the child to the Paternal Grandparents’ home.
       On June 4, 2012, the juvenile court continued the matter for a contested hearing to
August 8, 2012. In a last minute information for the court filed on August 8, 2012, the
Department indicated that its recommendation remained the same. On August 8, 2012,
the juvenile court found the Department had made reasonable efforts to enable the child
to be safely returned home. Father was in partial compliance with the case plan. But, the
child could not be safely returned to the custody of her parents and there was no
substantial probability she would be returned within six months. The court ordered
family reunification services terminated for Father and set the matter for a permanent
plan hearing on January 10, 2013.
       On December 14, 2012, Father filed a section 388 petition requesting the juvenile
court order the child returned to his care and custody. In the alternative, Father requested
the court reinstate his family reunification services. Father asserted the order should be
made because he had completed a 26-week parenting class and a six-month outpatient
substance abuse program with no absences. Father also had tested clean and had
consistently visited the child. Father asserted it was in the child’s best interests to be
returned to his custody because they “are extremely bonded.” Father “has shown extreme
dedication in completing his drug and parenting programs and has applied that in his
connection and parenting of [the child].”
       In its section 366.26 report filed on December 20, 2012, the Department noted that
since November 2012, Father had unmonitored visits for about three hours twice a week.
Father had “become more appropriate, nurturing and caring with [the child].” However,
the Department continued to recommend adoption as the permanent plan. The
Department stated that the child’s Maternal Grandparents were her caregivers. They love
the child and wanted to give her a stable and permanent home with them. The child had
resided in their home since 2010. She was very bonded to her maternal grandparents,

                                              10
who loved and cherished her. The adoption social worker stated: “There is no doubt
their relationship is very much based on adoration.”
       On December 20, 2012, the juvenile court granted a hearing on the section 388
petition and set it for January 28, 2013. In the event the petition was denied, the matter
would be followed by a contested section 366.26 hearing.
       On January 9, 2013, the Step-Maternal Grandmother and Maternal Grandfather
filed a request for de facto parent standing. The juvenile court granted the unopposed
request on January 22, 2013.
       The Department responded to Father’s section 388 petition on January 22, 2012.
The Department acknowledged that Father was in full compliance with the case plan.
Father had completed the parenting classes, the substance abuse program, participated in
therapy and was motivated to remain clean and sober. The Department noted that the
Maternal Grandparents had done an excellent job of caring for and providing for the
child’s needs. But, based on Father’s compliance and “dedication toward unifying with
his child,” the Department changed its recommendation to “the child be returned to
father.” The Department stated it was in the child’s best interests “because father and
child are extremely bonded.” The Department recommended that the juvenile court grant
the section 388 petition and take the section 366.26 hearing off calendar.
       On January 28, 2013, the juvenile court held a hearing on the section 388 petition
and conducted the permanent plan hearing. Father testified that he had unmonitored
visits with the child since November 2012. The visits were initially for two hours and
increased to three hours twice a week. They visited in the park or mall. Father wanted
more time. Father had not had overnight visits.
       Father testified that he had “very limited contact” with Mother. He tried to
support her efforts to get sober. Father’s last contact with Mother was about three weeks
before the hearing by text message and face-to-face contact. Father was recommending
to Mother the substance abuse programs he had completed. Mother contacted Father
about a place to stay and Father paid for a hotel room for Mother. It was late so Father
“ended up falling asleep there.” Mother and Father met at a bowling alley near Mother’s

                                             11
house after the last court date. Mother wanted to discuss why she did not show up for the
hearing. Father and Mother ended up talking in Mother’s car. Father denied consuming
alcohol during the conversation with Mother. Father had not consumed alcohol for
“90 days” or “actually, 120 days.” Father paid for Mother to have a drink at the bowling
alley. Father could support the child but “a little less elaborate” style than she was
accustomed to.
       Father would abide by court orders concerning Mother’s visits with the child
including that he not act as monitor. Father was willing to drug test. Father was still in
therapy and was involved in a 12-step sobriety program.
       Mother testified that she saw Father on November 30, 2102. They were at the
hotel room and had “partied” on November 29, 2012. According to Mother, they agreed
to “meet up” and “get a hotel room.” The two had started getting together and staying
overnight “with each other in hotel rooms” since October 2012. Mother was currently
using illegal substances and Father knew that she was.
       Mother offered Father a “swig” of Coca-Cola and “Jim Beam” when they were in
the car at the bowling alley. Mother thought Father was visibly under the influence of
alcohol when she arrived at the bowling alley. Father asked Mother to move in with him
as recently as January 5, 2013. More recently, Father had been texting Mother not to
contact him. The two of them were not currently in a relationship.
       Step-Maternal Grandmother testified that Father tended to run late for the visits.
He occasionally made up the time at the end of the visit. The child was returned to the
caregiver well-cared for and happy. The child was happy and loved everybody; everyone
was her friend. She was happy to go to the park with Father. The child separated easily
from him. The child seemed to be happy to return home and did not cry when Father left.
When she needed comfort, the child turned to her maternal grandparents for help in
Father’s presence. Step-Maternal Grandmother thought that on the child’s birthday in
November 2012, Father was under the influence of something when he arrived for his
visit. She also thought that he was under the influence on Memorial Day of 2012.

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       Father’s attorney argued that the juvenile court should grant the section 388
petition. The Department’s counsel agreed and asserted “at a minimum” the court should
continue the matter or reinstate family reunification services and/or grant a home of
parent father order with conditions.
       The child’s attorney requested that the section 388 petition be denied. Counsel
asserted that Father had a substance abuse problem which the juvenile court ordered him
to address in April 2010. Father took 18 months to complete the programs; but he did not
timely resolve his issues concerning his newborn child. Counsel reminded the court that
during the child’s first year Father only visited three to five times and refused to
participate in programs. When Father enrolled in a program after a year into the
dependency proceeding, he still did not visit. Father was still having contact with
Mother. And, there was evidence Father was drinking. It was not in the child’s best
interest to grant the section 388 petition because it would just delay her need for stability
and permanence.
       In denying the petition, the juvenile court stated: “I can’t believe they graduated
him from a program with only 60 days of sobriety from alcohol. I can’t believe the
department liberalized him to unmonitored after two plus—after two years with only
90 days under his belt from alcohol and not questioning the fact that the program gave
him a completion just two months into his sobriety.” The court further stated: “I can’t
figure out what’s going on with this worker. This worker has some major bias in favor of
this father. I don’t know what it’s based upon or what it is.”
       Father asserted parental rights should not be terminated because he had
consistently visited with unmonitored visits since November 2012. It was not in the
child’s best interest to have parental rights terminated because Father and the child were
bonded and close. The child’s counsel asked the juvenile court to terminate parental
rights as there was clear and convincing evidence the child would be adopted and no
exception applied. The child was just a friendly baby and everyone was her friend.
       The juvenile court found by clear and convincing evidence return to the parents
would be detrimental. The child was adoptable. Although Father had maintained regular

                                             13
and consistent visitation and contact, the child looked for comfort to her caregivers and
not to Father. The consistent visitation and contact, even if it conferred a parental
relationship, did not outweigh the benefits of permanence in adoption. The court then
ordered parental rights terminated. Father filed this timely appeal.
                                        DISCUSSION
I.     The Section 388 Petition
       Father contends the juvenile court abused its discretion in denying his section 388
petition. Section 388 provides in part: “(a)(1) Any parent or other person having an
interest in a child who is a dependent child of the juvenile court . . . may, upon grounds of
change of circumstance or new evidence, petition the court in the same action in which
the child was found to be a dependent child of the juvenile court . . . for a hearing to
change, modify, or set aside any order of court previously made or to terminate the
jurisdiction of the court. The petition shall be verified and . . . shall set forth in concise
language any change of circumstance or new evidence that is alleged to require the
change of order or termination of jurisdiction.”
       Section 388, subdivision (d) provides in part: “(d) If it appears that the best
interests of the child . . . may be promoted by the proposed change of order, modification
of reunification services, custody, . . . termination of jurisdiction, . . . the court shall order
that a hearing be held and shall give prior notice, or cause prior notice to be given, to the
persons and in the manner prescribed by Section 386, and, in those instances in which the
manner of giving notice is not prescribed by those sections, then in the manner the court
prescribes.”
       We must determine whether the juvenile court abused its discretion in determining
it was not in the child’s best interests to reopen Father’s reunification services. (In re
Jasmon O. (1994) 8 Cal.4th 398, 415; In re Stephanie M. (1994) 7 Cal.4th 295, 317.)
Because Father’s section 388 modification petition was filed after reunification services
were terminated and the section 366.26 selection and implementation hearing had been
set, the focus of the proceedings had shifted from Father’s interest in the care, custody
and companionship of the child to the child’s best interests. (In re Stephanie M., supra,

                                               14
at p. 317; In re Janee J. (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 198, 211.) Furthermore, Father’s request
for change must be viewed in the context of the dependency proceedings as a whole.
(In re Marilyn H. (1993) 5 Cal.4th 295, 309–310; In re Kimberly F. (1997) 56
Cal.App.4th 519, 528.) The juvenile court’s focus at this stage of the proceeding was on
the child’s needs for permanency and stability. (In re Zacharia D. (1993) 6 Cal.4th 435,
447; In re Marilyn H., supra, at p. 309.)
       The juvenile court’s comments imply that Father was in the process of changing
his circumstances. The court commented that Father’s completion of substance abuse
program was fairly recent and not of a very long duration. The court could not believe
the program would graduate Father with only 60 days of sobriety. The court was also
skeptical of the Department’s recommendation for not questioning the program and for
liberalizing visits given Father was only two months into sobriety.
       Moreover, the juvenile court acted within its discretion in determining Father did
not establish it was in the child’s best interests to reinstate Father’s reunification services
in January 2013. The child had been a dependent of the court since she was
approximately one week old in December 2010. The child never lived with Father who
failed to reunify with her. Rather, the child had been living with her current caregivers
since she was less than a week old. Although the child appeared to be happy when Father
visited, the visits did not even begin happening until January 2012, well into the
proceedings. The child was described as friendly and happy with everyone. There was
no indication the child was upset when Father left. The child was happy to return to her
caregivers, from whom she sought comfort when she was upset.
       Father’s modification petition was heard on the date of a continued section 366.26
permanent plan hearing. The modification request came after Father completed
substance abuse programs, parenting classes, complied with drug testing, and agreed to
participate in individual therapy. But, the modification petition was filed 20 months after
the juvenile court orders to complete the programs. The modification was also requested
four months after family reunification services were terminated. “Childhood does not
wait for the parent to become adequate.” (In re Marilyn H., supra, 5 Cal.4th at p. 310.)

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A child’s best interests and need for stability are not promoted by delays in the selection
of a permanent home for the child when there have been numerous failures to reunify
with the child. (In re Casey D. (1999) 70 Cal.App.4th 38, 47; In re Edward H. (1996) 43
Cal.App.4th 584, 594.) The juvenile court did not abuse its discretion by refusing to
prolong the proceedings on the basis of Father’s completion of court ordered programs so
late in the proceedings.
II.    The Exception to Termination of Parental Rights
       Father does not claim the child was not adoptable. Rather, Father claims the
juvenile court committed reversible error in failing to apply the exception to termination
contained in section 366.26, subdivision(c)(1)(B)(i). We note there is some discrepancy
between appellate courts as to the standard of review for a determination as to whether an
exception to termination of parental rights applies sufficiency of the evidence or abuse of
discretion. (Cf. In re S.B. (2008) 164 Cal.App.4th 289, 297–298 and In re Autumn H.
(1994) 27 Cal.App.4th 567, 575 [the determination of whether an exceptional
circumstance exists is customarily challenged for sufficiency of evidence] with In re
Jasmine D. (2000) 78 Cal.App.4th 1339, 1342 [abuse of discretion applied to
determination of whether parent-child exception existed] and In re T.S. (2009) 175
Cal.App.4th 1031, 1038 [Indian child exception].) Some courts apply a hybrid of the two
standards. (In re C.B. (2010) 190 Cal.App.4th 102, 122–123; In re Bailey J. (2010) 189
Cal.App.4th 1308, 1314–1315.) Under this standard, the juvenile court has discretion to
resolve whether a statutory exception exists such that termination of parental rights would
be detrimental to an adoptable child. (In re A.A. (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 1292, 1322;
In re Jasmine D., supra, at p. 1342.) However, the juvenile court’s pure factual findings
are reviewed for substantial evidence. (In re C.B., supra, at p. 122; In re Jasmine D.,
supra, at p. 1351.) Under either standard, there was no reversible error in this case.
       When a child is likely to be adopted, the preferred permanent plan, at a
section 366.26 hearing, is adoption. (In re Celine R. (2003) 31 Cal.4th 45, 53; In re
Jasmine D., supra, 78 Cal.App.4th at p. 1348.) The parent has the burden under that
circumstance to raise any relevant exception in the juvenile court. (In re C.F. (2011) 193

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Cal.App.4th 549, 553; In re Erik P. (2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 395, 402–403.) The party
asserting an exception has the burden of producing evidence showing it applies. (In re
Celine R., supra, at p. 61; In re Bailey J., supra, 189 Cal.App.4th at p. 1314.)
       Father claims he established the exception by showing regular and consistent
visitation and that he and the child “are extremely bonded.” In determining whether the
exception applies, the juvenile court should consider: the age of the child; the portion of
the child’s life spent in the parent’s custody; the positive and negative interaction
between the parent and the child; and the child’s particular needs. (In re Jerome D.
(2000) 84 Cal.App.4th 1200, 1206; In re Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 576; see
also In re Amber M. (2002) 103 Cal.App.4th 681, 689.)
       “In the context of the dependency scheme prescribed by the Legislature, . . . the
‘benefit from continuing the [parent/child] relationship’ exception [means] the
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
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 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. [¶] Interaction between natural parent and child will always confer some
incidental benefit to the child. The significant attachment from child to parent results
from the adult’s attention to the child’s needs for physical care, nourishment, comfort,
affection and stimulation. [Citation.] The relationship arises from day-to-day interaction,
companionship and shared experiences. [Citation.] The exception applies only where the
court finds regular visits and contact have continued or developed a significant, positive,
emotional attachment from child to parent.” (In re Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at
p. 575.)
       Father did not show he had a parental role as opposed to a mere friendship with
the child. (In re Brittany C. (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 847, 854 [parents must show at least

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one biological parent occupies a parental role rather than a friendship].) Rather, Father
only showed frequent and loving contact with pleasant visits, which did not establish a
parental role. (See In re Andrea R. (1999) 75 Cal.App.4th 1093, 1108, 1109 [parents are
required to establish more than “‘frequent and loving contact’” or an “emotional bond”
accompanied by pleasant visits but must show “‘parental role’”].) Father did not produce
any evidence that his relationship with the child had ever provided daily nurturing
indicative of a strong parent-child bond. (In re Jamie R. (2001) 90 Cal.App.4th 766,
774.) Rather, the only evidence of such a bond was with her caregivers.
       The child was over two years old when parental rights were terminated. She had
been living in her prospective adoptive family since she was about a week old. The
child’s happy visits with Father were not unusual because her caregivers and daycare
provider all described the child as friendly and happy. Father had never provided for the
child’s daily needs or care. The juvenile court did not err in terminating parental rights
given the absence of evidence showing “the existence of such a strong and beneficial
parent-child relationship” which “outweighs the child’s need for a stable and permanent
home.” (In re Casey D., supra, 70 Cal.App.4th at p. 51.)

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                                    DISPOSITION
      The order terminating parental rights is affirmed.
      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS.

                                           _____________________, J. *
                                                  FERNS
We concur:

____________________________, Acting P. J.
      ASHMANN-GERST

____________________________, J.
      CHAVEZ

*       Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice pursuant to
article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.
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