Court Opinion

ID: 4026332
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-08-18 17:02:58.782558+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:42.522590
License: Public Domain

Filed 8/18/16 In re Olivia S. CA4/1
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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.

                    COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION ONE

                                           STATE OF CALIFORNIA

In re OLIVIA S., a Person Coming Under
the Juvenile Court Law.
                                                                 D069737
SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY,
                                                                 (Super. Ct. No. EJ3849B)
         Plaintiff and Respondent,

         v.

MICHELLE H.,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Gary M.

Bubis, Judge. Affirmed.

         Michelle D. Peña, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and

Appellant.

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

Counsel, Danielle Davidian and Patrice Plattner-Grainger, Deputy County Counsel, for

Plaintiff and Respondent.
       Michelle H. contends that the juvenile court erred by failing to apply the beneficial

parent/child relationship exception to termination of parental rights to her daughter,

Olivia S., under Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i)

(beneficial relationship exception).1 We affirm.

                   FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

       Michelle H. is the mother of Olivia S., who was born in July 2013, and Sawyer H.,

who is now 18 years old.2 Olivia's father passed away when she was six months old.

       In November 2014, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency

(Agency) detained Olivia in protective custody, alleging that Olivia had suffered, or was

at substantial risk of suffering, serious physical harm or illness due to Michelle's mental

illness. (§ 300, subd. (b).) The Agency alleged that Michelle was paranoid and

delusional, and that her mental health condition had severely deteriorated during the past

year. Olivia, who was 16 months old, was not meeting developmental milestones. She

had a flat affect and did not interact with her surroundings or with people. Michelle

believed her children were being stalked and kept them socially isolated. The Agency

stated that if Olivia were left in her mother's care, the deprivation of stimulation, social

contact and education would seriously damage Olivia's physical and emotional health.

       Michelle was hospitalized for three weeks after the detention hearing. Doctors

diagnosed her condition as paranoid schizophrenia and prescribed an antipsychotic

1      Further unspecified statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2      Olivia's half brother, Sawyer H., is not a subject of this appeal.
                                              2
medication for her. The juvenile court ordered Michelle to undergo two psychological

evaluations.

       Francesca Lehman, Psy.D., diagnosed Michelle's mental health condition as

delusional disorder, persecutory type, continuous, and anxiety disorder not otherwise

specified (NOS). Lehman concluded that Michelle suffered from "a severe mental

disorder which will impact her ability to parent adequately" and that Michelle's

"prognosis is poor given the severity and chronicity of the psychotic disorder, combined

with a persistent lack of insight and resistance on the part of [Michelle]."

       Walter J. Litwin, Ph.D., diagnosed Michelle's mental health condition as

posttraumatic stress disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, rule out delusional disorder,

persecutory type, and paranoid personality disorder. Dr. Litwin stated that there was "a

much less than likely probability that [Michelle] can make enough progress to effectively

parent within the [] time limits set for this case."

       In its status review report for the six-month hearing, the Agency reported that

Olivia, who was in foster care, was becoming more demonstrative and more verbal.

Olivia was very shy with strangers but was willing to explore her surroundings in the

company of a trusted adult. She was comfortable in her caregivers' home.

       Michelle visited Olivia every week for an hour and a half to two hours. Visitation

was monitored. Olivia was happy to see her mother. Michelle tried to arrange activities

that interested Olivia. Their visits appeared to be positive for Olivia. When the visits

ended, Olivia did not show signs of anxiety, distress or other emotional reaction.

                                               3
       Michelle participated regularly in her case plan. However, there was little to no

change in her mental health condition. She continued to believe that her life and her

children's lives were in danger from an "unknown conspiracy." According to Michelle's

therapist, Michelle consistently attended and engaged in therapy but had fixed delusions

that were unchanged and impacted her ability to function. At the six-month review

hearing, at the Agency's recommendation, the juvenile court terminated reunification

services and set a section 366.26 hearing.

       In its report to the court for the section 366.26 hearing, dated December 10, 2015,

the Agency reported that Olivia was generally and specifically adoptable. Olivia's

caregivers wanted to adopt her. Although Olivia was initially assessed with delays in

communication, social and emotional development, gross and fine motor skills, and

problem solving, Olivia's most recent developmental screening showed that her overall

language skills were in the low average range and that she tested in the high average

range for fine motor skills. The evaluator recommended that Olivia continue with speech

therapy and early intervention services.

       Olivia was very shy. She would cry when she first met strangers, including new

social workers, and would cling to her caregivers or hide behind them. Olivia was

affectionate with her caregivers.

       After the case was referred to a section 366.26 hearing, an adoptions social worker

was assigned to the case. Michelle told the new social worker that the Agency had

traumatized Olivia by removing her from her home and that the Agency had disrupted her

bond with her daughter. At the first visits that she observed, the social worker noted that

                                             4
Olivia went easily to Michelle. Michelle intervened when the social worker offered a

lollipop to Olivia, explaining that she did not want her daughter to have sugar.

          The social worker observed a visit between Olivia and Michelle on January 15,

2016. Michelle engaged Olivia with toys. Michelle asked Olivia, "Do you want money?

and began counting bills. She asked, "How much do you want? Five? Ten? Twenty?"

Two-year old Olivia replied, "Twenty."

          Michelle asked the social worker whether it was normal for Olivia to repeat

everything that Michelle said. The social worker explained that Olivia's repetition was

normal and was part of the process of learning language. At the end of the visit, Michelle

strapped Olivia in her car seat. Michelle told the social worker that Olivia had whispered

"I love you" to her for the first time.

          The social worker observed another visit on January 29. Michelle was waiting for

Olivia when she arrived. Olivia did not walk toward her mother. The visitation monitor

directed Olivia to go to her mother. Olivia walked over and stood next to her mother, but

did not display any signs of affection. Michelle put $36 in Olivia's bag for the caregiver

to use for Olivia. When the visit ended, Michelle put her keys to her gym locker on a

string and put them around Olivia's neck, telling Olivia that she was giving her the "keys

to my heart." The visitation monitor said that the keys were dirty and were not an

appropriate gift for Olivia. Michelle was upset about removing the keys from Olivia's

neck and felt that removing them would have a lasting impact on Olivia's emotional

health.

                                               5
       The social worker reported that Michelle's visits with Olivia were generally

consistent. Olivia enjoyed visiting with Michelle but did not show some of the key signs

of healthy attachment, such as joy or excitement upon seeing her mother, displaying a

preference for her, or seeking comfort, praise and affection from her. In addition, Olivia's

affect was often flat during visits. Although Olivia was not generally emotionally

expressive, the social worker observed that Olivia had more of an emotional connection

and attachment with her caregivers than she did with her mother. During visits, Olivia

typically focused on playing with toys. Michelle tried to engage Olivia by asking her

questions, but Olivia frequently ignored them. Michelle's questions were often

developmentally inappropriate for Olivia.

       The section 366.26 hearing was held on February 4, 2016. The Agency's reports

were admitted into evidence. Michelle did not cross-examine the social worker.

       Michelle testified that before Olivia was removed from her care, she took care of

all of Olivia's daily needs. They had a mother/daughter bond. Olivia was 16 months old

when she was removed from Michelle's care. Michelle was still breastfeeding Olivia at

the time of removal. After Olivia's removal, the Agency provided one visit each week for

an hour and a half. Olivia was happy to see Michelle. Approximately every other visit,

Olivia would say, "I want to go with mom." Olivia was affectionate with Michelle. She

hugged and kissed her and told her that she loved her. When the visits ended, Olivia was

distressed.

       Michelle said that an hour and a half of visitation per week was not sufficient to

allow her to maintain her close bond with her daughter. Michelle asked for additional

                                             6
visits but the Agency refused to increase visitation. Nevertheless, Michelle believed that

Olivia still shared a strong bond with her because she had carried Olivia throughout

pregnancy, breastfed her, met her daily needs and assumed full responsibility for her.

Michelle said that she loved Olivia and that she was a capable mother.

       Without comment, the juvenile court found that the beneficial relationship

exception did not apply. The juvenile court determined that Olivia was adoptable,

terminated parental rights, and designated Olivia's caregivers as her prospective adoptive

parents.

                                       DISCUSSION

                                              A

                                   Contentions on Appeal

       Michelle contends that she demonstrated that Olivia had a beneficial relationship

with her and that the juvenile court therefore erred when it terminated her parental rights.

She argues that in determining the nature of the parent/child bond, the juvenile court

should have taken into consideration the Agency's limitations on her visitation with

Olivia, but that the court failed to do so. Michelle asserts that the social worker's

conclusions about the quality of the parent/child relationship are belied by his

descriptions of the many positive interactions that she and Olivia shared during visits.

Michelle argues that the juvenile court erred by not properly considering the factors that

determine whether the beneficial relationship exception applies.

       The Agency responds that the juvenile court properly found that the beneficial

relationship exception did not apply. The Agency acknowledges that Michelle

                                              7
maintained consistent and regular visitation with Olivia, but argues that Michelle did not

occupy a parental role in Olivia's life and that Michelle did not prove that the benefits of

continuing the parent/child relationship outweighed the well-being that Olivia would gain

in a permanent home with new, adoptive parents.

                                              B

                          Legal Principles and Standard of Review

         At a section 366.26 permanency planning 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, 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.) If 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.)

         An exception to termination of parental rights applies where "[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).) " '[B]enefit from continuing

the . . . relationship' " 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 (Autumn H.).) "If severing the natural parent/child relationship would deprive

                                              8
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.)

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

existence of a beneficial relationship, and the abuse of discretion standard to the

determination of whether there is a compelling reason for finding that termination would

be detrimental to the child. (In re Anthony B. (2015) 239 Cal.App.4th 389, 395.)

                                              C

                                          Analysis

       Michelle argues that by not increasing visitation, the Agency set the course for

termination of parental rights. Michelle contends that she was prejudiced by the lack of

visitation because she was not able to demonstrate the full strength of her bond with her

daughter. This is a reasonable services argument that Michelle might have raised, but did

not, in a writ proceeding under California Rules of Court, rule 8.452. "In order to obtain

review on appeal from a final order in a section 366.26 hearing of issues subsumed within

an order setting the section 366.26 hearing, the parent first must timely file a writ

petition." (Ingrid E. v. Superior Court (1999) 75 Cal.App.4th 751, 755-756.) Thus,

Michelle has forfeited this argument on appeal.

       Even if the issue were not forfeited on appeal, we would not be persuaded by

Michelle's argument that the Agency's failure to increase visitation eroded Olivia's

beneficial bond with her. The record shows that although Michelle has strengths as a

parent, those strengths were greatly undermined by Michelle's belief that she had to

                                              9
socially isolate Olivia in order to protect her. As a result of this isolation, Olivia's

development lagged in many areas. At 16 months, Olivia did not interact with her

surroundings or with people. Prior to removal, a social worker observed Olivia standing

without moving for at least 27 minutes. When the social worker pointed out Olivia's

behavior to Michelle, Michelle picked up Olivia. Olivia did not play, smile, or interact

with Michelle or the social worker. Her facial expression remained unchanged. Thus, at

what Michelle contends is the height of Olivia's bonding with her, the record supports the

reasonable inference that Michelle's parenting was detrimental to Olivia and placed her at

substantial risk of harm.

       We are also not persuaded by the argument that Olivia's many positive interactions

with Michelle belied the social worker's conclusion that Olivia did not have a beneficial

relationship with Michelle. "Evidence of 'frequent and loving contact' is not sufficient to

establish the existence of a beneficial parental relationship." (In re Bailey J. (2010) 189

Cal.App.4th 1308, 1315-1316.) The social worker reported that Olivia enjoyed visiting

Michelle. However, Olivia did not exhibit key signs of healthy attachment. She did not

appear excited to see her mother or display a preference for her when other adults were

present. Olivia did not seek comfort, praise and affection from Michelle. Based upon his

observations of Olivia's interactions with her mother and caregivers, the social worker

believed that Olivia had more of an emotional connection and attachment with her

caregivers than she did with her mother.

       In addition, in order to justify application of the beneficial relationship exception

to termination of parental rights, any relationship between parent and child must be

                                               10
sufficiently significant that the child would suffer detriment from its termination. (In re

Melvin A. (2000) 82 Cal.App.4th at 1243, 1253.) Michelle did not show that Olivia

would suffer detriment from termination of parental rights. Indifference to a parent or

detachment indicate the lack of a necessary positive relationship. (In re Amanda D.

(1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 813, 822.) In addition, Michelle struggled to understand the

protective issues in the case and insisted that there was a conspiracy to harm her and her

children. Despite fully participating in services, Michelle did not understand Olivia's

age-appropriate behaviors.

       By the time of the section 366.26 hearing, Olivia had been with her caregivers for

more than 14 months. The record shows that Olivia had an emotional connection and

attachment with her caregivers, and sought them out for comfort. In their care, Olivia

developed from a withdrawn child who did not interact with her surroundings or with

other people to a social young girl who enjoyed playing outside, walking the family dog,

drawing and coloring, and playing with puzzles, balls and stuffed animals. While Olivia

was not spontaneously affectionate with her mother, she hugged her caregivers and

cuddled with them. Thus, the juvenile court could reasonably determine that Olivia

would greatly benefit from the security of a stable, permanent home with committed,

capable adoptive parents, and that termination of parental rights would not be detrimental

to her. (Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 575.)

       Finally, we reject the argument that the juvenile court did not properly consider

the relevant factors in determining whether the beneficial relationship exception applies.

Those factors include the child's age, the portion of the child's life spent in the parent's

                                              11
custody, the positive or negative effects of interaction between parent and child, and the

child's particular needs. (Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 576.) However, these

are just "some of the variables which logically affect a parent/child bond." (Ibid.) 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. (Id. at p. 575.)

The evidence before the juvenile court at the time of the section 366.26 hearing clearly

showed that although Michelle met Olivia's needs for physical care and nourishment, she

did not provide comfort, affection and stimulation to Olivia either before or after Olivia's

removal from her custody. The social worker did not believe that Olivia had a significant

attachment to her mother. Thus, the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion when it

determined that the parent/child relationship did not promote Olivia's well-being to such

a degree as to outweigh the benefit that she would gain from the security of adoption.

(Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 575.)

                                             12
                                  DISPOSITION

    The order terminating parental rights is affirmed.

                                                         AARON, J.

WE CONCUR:

         HALLER, Acting P. J.

               McDONALD, J.

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