Court Opinion

ID: 9578304
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:43:54.036914+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:25:30.178392
License: Public Domain

BIRD, C. J., Concurring and Dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion insofar as it sanctions the irrevocable termination of this mother-daughter relationship which the record indicates and the state’s attorney conceded was a loving and caring one. Further, a finding that the mother was “too passive” in her relationship with her husband and the use of this finding to justify severance of the parent-child relationship raises some serious questions in a pluralistic society where the relationship between husband and wife may vary according to cultural background. Is there now to be a judicially determined norm?
It is also disturbing that this court would allow the fact that Angelia’s mother worked outside the home to be used as evidence favoring termination. These holdings raise some questions as to (1) whether there are to be any real limits placed on the state when it seeks to sever a parent-child relationship, and (2) whether our system lacks sensitivity to the problems of poor working women.
It is important to remember that this court is sanctioning the termination of any contact between this mother and daughter for the rest of their lives. This is not a question involving who should have the custody of this child. This parent will lose all rights to visitation and to attempt to regain custody at some future time. (See In re Jacqueline H. (1978) 21 Cal.3d 170, 175-176 [145 Cal.Rptr. 548, 577 P.2d 683]; In re *928Robert P. (1976) 61 Cal.App.3d 310, 318 [132 Cal.Rptr. 5].) This minor child loses the right to support from her parents, and to any inheritance from the biological family members. (Maj. opn., ante, at p. 915.)
The granting of a petition for severance of parental rights under Civil Code section 232 results in a complete and irrevocable break in the bond between parent and child. The trial court’s order and judgment granting such a petition is conclusive and binding. Once made, the trial court is without power to set aside, change, or modify it. (Civ. Code, § 238.) There is no right to any further contact or communication between biological parent and child. For all practical purposes, a termination order has the same effect as the death of a child for a parent and the death of a parent for a child because the consequences are as final and irrevocable.
In order to sever the parent-child relationship under section 232, proof of a statutory ground and detriment to the child1 if the child is immediately returned to the custody of the parent are not the only prerequisites. The trial court must also determine that termination is the least detrimental alternative for the child.
The Legislature in 1965 enacted section 232.5,2 which stated: “The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to serve and protect the interests and welfare of the child.” The addition of section 232.5 was quickly understood to require consideration of the best interest and welfare of the child in section 232 termination proceedings. (In re Neal (1968) 265 Cal.App.2d 482, 490 [71 Cal.Rptr. 300].) This court recognized this principle in our review of a section 232 proceeding in In re Carmaleta B., supra, “... we must determine if the trial court’s findings under subdivisions (a)(2) and (a)(6) were supported by sub*929stantial evidence such that the situation contemplated by the statute arises, and severing the parental relationship becomes the least detrimental alternative for the children. [Citations.]” (21 Cal.3d at p. 489, italics added.)3
The requirement of a finding that termination is in the best interest of the child, or the more precise formulation articulated in In re Carmaleta B., supra, that it is the least detrimental alternative available, is also compelled by principles of substantive due process. “Substantive due process prohibits governmental interference with a person’s fundamental right to life, liberty or property by unreasonable or arbitrary [state action].” (In re David B. (1979) 91 Cal.App.3d 184, 192-193 [154 Cal.Rptr. 63] citing 13 Cal.Jur.3d, Constitutional Law, § 364, pp. 676-677 and other sources.)
A parent’s interest in the care, custody and companionship of a child is a fundamental liberty, among our most basic civil rights. (Stanley v. Illinois (1972) 405 U.S. 645, 651 [31 L.Ed.2d 551, 558-559, 92 S.Ct. 1208]; In re Carmaleta B., supra, 21 Cal.3d at p. 489; In re B. G. (1974) 11 Cal.3d 679, 688 [114 Cal.Rptr. 444, 523 P.2d 244].) Therefore, only a compelling state interest may justify the deprivation of this most fundamental right. (See Roe v. Wade (1973) 410 U.S. 113, 155 [35 L.Ed.2d 147, 178, 93 S.Ct. 705].) The state interest asserted in termination actions is the prevention of harm to the child. (In re David B., supra, 91 Cal.App.3d at p. 196.) These relevant constitutional principles were considered in the recent case of In re David B., supra. The court concluded that, even if a statutory ground for termination under section 232 is established by clear and convincing proof, termination comports with substantive due process only if the trial court finds, inter alia, “that the immediate severance of the parental relationship is the least detrimental alternative available to protect the welfare of the child.” (In re David B., supra, 91 Cal.App.3d at p. 196.) Therefore, the state must prove in each individual case that there is a sufficiently compelling state interest, in terms of providing a less detrimental alternative to the parent-child relationship, to justify the deprivation of liberty that termination entails.
*930Whether denominated a statutory or constitutional right, the requirement that termination of the parental relationship be the least detrimental alternative to the child is based on sound policy. It is an unfortunate truth that not all children, who are “freed” from their legal relationship with their parents, find the stable and permanent situation that is desired even though this is the implicit promise made by the state when it seeks to terminate the parent-child relationship.4 Multiple placements and impermanent situations sometimes mark the state’s guardianship of a child. This unstable situation is frequently detrimental to a child. Indeed, the detriment may be greater than keeping the parent-child relationship intact since the child’s psychological and emotional bond to the parent may have been broken with nothing substituted in its place.5
In the instant case, the trial court had two alternatives available after it made the finding of detriment to the child if she were immediately released to her mother’s custody. The petition of the state to terminate the mother’s relationship with the child could have been denied. This would have permitted the noncustody relationship to continue while the child remained in foster home placement. Alternatively, the legal relationship could have been terminated and the child placed in the custody of the state. A review of the evidence shows conclusively that the state failed to carry its burden of showing by clear and convincing evidence6 that immediate termination of the noncustody parent-child relationship was the less detrimental alternative.
*931Viewing the entire record in the light most favorable to the judgment below, there was not substantial evidence by clear and convincing proof that the termination was in the best interest of the child. (Cf. People v. Johnson (1980) 26 Cal.3d 557, 578 [162 Cal.Rptr. 431, 606 P.2d 738].)
In reviewing the record on this issue, one is struck by the lack of evidence. For instance, although Angelia had the benefit of conscientious and caring foster parents after her removal from her parents’ custody, there was no evidence offered as to whether the foster parents desired to adopt Angelia. The only evidence regarding Angelia’s future, if termination were granted, was that the California Adoption Service would try to seek adoptive placement. No evidence was offered regarding the possibility or probability that adoption would occur.7
On the other hand, substantial evidence of Mrs. P.’s close, loving, and regular relationship with Angelia was presented. Mrs. P. visited Angelia regularly in the foster home. So positive was the relationship that the foster parents encouraged Mrs. P. to resume custody as they felt Mrs. P. could adequately care for Angelia, although they were apprehensive about Mr. P.’s return. The trial judge specifically stated that: “[t]here appears to be no impediment of any kind in this normal love which this mother has for this child.... ” The Attorney General stated at oral argument that it was undisputed that there was a bond of affection between mother and child.
On this record, I cannot agree that there is substantial evidence that termination of any relationship between Angelia and Mrs. P. is in the best interests of this child. Angelia’s present situation is one in which *932she has the benefit of a good foster home and the regular visitation from and emotional bond with her natural mother.8
The alternative presented by the state is ephemeral at best. This case is similar at least in this respect to the situation confronted by the Court of Appeal in Adoption of Michelle T. (1975) 44 Cal.App.3d 699 [117 Cal.Rptr. 856, 84 A.L.R.3d 654]. There, the court stated; “. . .the alternative presented is commitment of the child to the Department [State Department of Health] in order that ‘adoptive or other suitable plans’ may be arranged. While we recognize the difficulty the Department would have in submitting more definite plans, we conclude that the alternative presented places the court in a difficult position.” {Id. at p. 707.) The Court of Appeal was rightly concerned in Michelle T. that denial of the foster parents’ petition for adoption in that case in favor of granting the state’s petition for commitment of the child to the Department’s care would “set her adrift in a sea of bureaucratic uncertainty. In such a situation, T. may bounce from one foster home to another before final placement sometime hence.” (Id., at p. 708.)
In the instant case, there was no evidence of prospects for the adoption of Angelia, who is still disabled from the injuries she suffered as an infant. There were no indications from the current foster parents of any desire to adopt Angelia. While there is much evidence that extended foster home care may be harmful to a child,9 the harm is predicated on the child’s need for permanence and stability, and on the necessity for an emotional bond between the developing child and a responsible adult. In the instant case, the only evidence of any emotional bond on the part of Angelia is to her natural mother.10 Had substantial evidence been presented that continuation of the present relationship was harmful, the least detrimental alternative test would have been satisfied. No such evidence was presented.
Also, I respectfully dissent from that portion of the majority opinion which upholds the trial court ruling disallowing any evidence of Mrs. *933P.’s good care of Angelia’s sibling Lisa. This evidence was not irrelevant to the issues framed by the allegation under section 232, subdivision (a)(7) that Mrs. P. had failed and was likely to fail in the future, to provide a home, care and control for Angelia and a proper parental relationship. The majority concede that an examination of the present circumstances of the parent is required in section 232 proceedings. (Maj. opn., ante, at p. 922.) The present ability of Mrs. P. to provide a home, care and control for three-year-old Lisa, and to maintain an adequate parental relationship with her meets the test of relevancy, which is simply whether the evidence has any tendency in reason to prove a disputed fact. (Evid. Code, § 210.)
Mrs. P.’s parenting capabilities with respect to the child that is in her custody bear a reasonable relation to the disputed issue of whether she is capable of providing the physical and emotional necessities which Angelia requires. Certainly, any evidence of failure to provide Lisa with a home, care and control would be highly probative evidence of her likely future failure to provide the same to Angelia, and would be admissible. Why the converse is not true is left unexplained by the majority.
Proof that a child, who has remained in parental custody, has received adequate parenting is the strongest type of rehabilitative evidence that a parent can present. To permit a trial court in its discretion to ignore such evidence is to limit those parents who seek to disprove unfitness allegations to proof of good intentions only. Evidence of their good actions as demonstrated in interaction with their other children, who are at home, is excluded. While the proferred evidence was not conclusive, and its effect may have been blunted by other evidence, its tendency to prove Mrs. P.’s future ability to provide a home, care and control for Angelia is clear.
The majority seek to exclude the evidence by defining the only disputed issue in this case as “whether section 232 applied to appellants’ treatment of Angelia.” (Maj. opn. at p. 922.) The allegations of section 232, subdivision (a)(7), as the majority later recognize (maj. opn. at p. 925), require findings of past and the probability of future failure to provide an adequate home, care and custody. Therefore, issues other than the past treatment of Angelia were before the trial court. It is on these issues of the future capability of Mrs. P. to provide Angelia with an adequate parental relationship that the evidence of Mrs. P.’s good *934parenting of Lisa had strong probative value and should have been admitted.
Based on this inadequate record, I would reverse the termination of the child-parent relationship between Angelia and her mother.
Newman, J., concurred.

Civil Code section 4600, subdivision (c) requires: “Before the court makes any order awarding custody to a person or persons other than a parent, without the consent of the parents, it shall make a finding that an award of custody to a parent would be detrimental to the child and the award to a nonparent is required to serve the best interests of the child.”
A section 4600 finding of detriment has been required in termination proceedings. (In re Carmaleta B. (1978) 21 Cal.3d 482, 496 [146 Cal.Rptr. 623, 579 P.2d 514] and cases cited.)
All references will be to the Civil Code unless otherwise indicated.

Statutes 1965, chapter 1064, section 1, page 2710.

Amici Alameda County Social Services Agency et al., who generally support the Attorney General’s position in this case, concede the statutory requirement for the finding that termination is in the best interest of the child. Brief of amici Alameda County Social Services Agency et al., at pages 21-22.

See Department of Social Services, Foster Care Services, Selected Characteristics October 1979 Survey. The survey states that of those children in foster care who have had formal adoptability determinations (about one-third of all children in foster care) less than half were found to be either immediately or potentially adoptable. (Id., at p. 2.)
Of the children in foster care who have been relinquished for adoption (either through consent of the parents or termination of parental rights pursuant to § 232), 40.3 percent have been in foster care more than 3 years since relinquishment and 18.5 percent have been in foster care 11 years or more since relinquishment. (Id., at p. 57.)

“There are at least two ways a child might be harmed by termination. First, if a child is attached to her parents, termination may harm the child by preventing continued contact after placement.” Wald, State Intervention on Behalf of “Neglected” Children: Standards for Removal of Children from Their Homes, Monitoring the Status of Children in Foster Care, and Termination of Parental Rights (1976) 28 Stan.L.Rev. 625, 672 (hereinafter Wald).
“A child may also be harmed by termination if she cannot be placed permanently following termination.” (Id. at p. 673.)
“Thus, termination may leave a child truly in limbo.” (Id., at p. 674.)

The clear and convincing standard is the appropriate standard of proof on this issue, given the “nature of the affected rights.” (Maj. opn., ante, at p. 916.)

Both the Attorney General and amici Alameda County Social Services .Agency et al., concede that the outlook for adoption is a factor which should be taken into account in ascertaining the child’s best interest at termination proceedings. The brief of amici Alameda County Social Services Agency et al., authored by Professor Wald, states:
“The Court of Appeal seemed [in its opinion in this case], however, to be concerned that terminations might occur without a guaranteed adoption. This is certainly a relevant factor for trial courts to consider in deciding whether, in any given case, granting termination is iir the child’s best interest. If there is little or no chance of providing the child with a permanent home, termination may be inappropriate. Amici believe that trial courts ought to determine the likelihood that the child will be adopted or otherwise permanently placed before deciding whether to terminate parental rights.
“However, the prior availability of an adoptive home is not a prerequisite for a 232 proceeding.” (Brief of amici Alameda County Social Services Agency et al., at pp. 23-24.)

“A child may even benefit from having two sets of ‘parents,’ especially in situations where the natural parents visit frequently.” (Wald, supra, 28 Stan.L.Rev. at p. 672.)

See Wald, supra, 28 Stan. L.Rev. at pages 644-646 and sources cited; Goldstein et al., Beyond the Best Interest of the Child (1973).

Contrast In re D.L.C. (1976) 54 Cal.App.3d 840 [126 Cal.Rptr. 863], where evidence was presented that the foster parents had developed a parent-child relationship with the child and were the “psychological parents.” (Id., at p. 845.)