In re J.S.

Filed 9/6/06 In re J.S. CA2/3

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 977(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 977(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 977.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION THREE

APPEAL from orders of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Joan Carney, Referee. Affirmed.

Aida Aslanian, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant.

Raymond G. Fortner, Jr., County Counsel, Larry Cory, Assistant County Counsel, and Jerry M. Custis, Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

INTRODUCTION

Julie S. appeals from the orders of the juvenile court that terminated her guardianship over her nieces J. S. and L. S. and removed them from her custody. We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL SYNOPSIS

1. The girls' placement with Julie.

J. was born in 1997 with cocaine in her system and soon became a dependent child of the juvenile court. The court ordered J. placed with Julie. Although Julie declared early that she wanted to adopt the child, she needed the child-care funds provided to her as a foster parent. The Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) recommended that J. remain with Julie until the latter was financially able to adopt.

L. also suffered the effects of prenatal exposure to drugs at her birth in 2002. L. became a dependent child of the court and moved in with Julie.

In November 2002, while adoption was the identified case plan, because of financial considerations, Julie opted for legal guardianship instead. The juvenile court appointed Julie legal guardian of both girls. [1]

2. Julie's care of the girls.

J. exhibited symptoms of drug withdrawal for the first six months of her life, but thrived in Julie's care. The social workers reported that Julie did â€