Filed 12/14/05 In re Justin S. CA6

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 977.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

SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

In this appeal, the mother of a dependent child challenges the juvenile court order terminating her parental rights. Reaching the merits, we find substantial evidence to support the court's finding that the benefits of adoption outweigh the detriment from severing the child's parental and sibling relationships. We therefore affirm the challenged order.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The child whose interests concern us here is Justin S., who was born to appellant Deziree Q. in August 1999. For the first three years of his life, Justin lived with appellant and his three older half-brothers: Jacob, who was born in October 1995, and twins Joseph and Jesse, who were born in July 1993. During that time, the family was the subject of numerous referrals to the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children's Services. The Department investigated reports of child abuse and neglect, including complaints that the children were left outside unsupervised, with the result that Jacob was hit by a car and the twins severely vandalized neighbors' property. The children also had serious unmet medical and dental needs.

This dependency proceeding began in October 2002. Over the course of that month, the Department removed all of appellant's children from her custody. On October 11th, one of the twin boys, Joseph, was taken into protective custody after he reported to school authorities that appellant's boyfriend had been physically abusing him. On October 28th, appellant gave birth to a girl who tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine. The following day, the new-born girl was placed in protective custody, as were Jesse, Jacob, and Justin.

In November 2002, Justin was detained.[1]

In December 2002, the juvenile court adjudged Justin a dependent of the court. Justin was placed in an emergency satellite foster home. Reunification services for appellant were ordered, including parenting classes, counseling, drug testing and substance abuse programs, as well as visitation.

Interim Review March 2003

An interim review hearing was held in March 2003. In a report prepared for the hearing, the Department provided an update on progress in the case, including a report on visits. The Department also submitted a family assessment report. The assessment report summarized appellant's history, which included drug and alcohol abuse starting when she was 14. Appellant became pregnant with the twins when she was 17. Appellant's five children have four different fathers. The assessment report observed: â€