In re T.V.

Filed 2/15/07  In re T.V. CA2/2

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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  This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 977.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

            APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.  Steven Berman, Juvenile Court Referee.  Affirmed.

            John L. Dodd & Associates and Lisa A. DiGrazia, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant.

            Raymond G. Fortner, Jr., County Counsel, Larry Cory, Assistant County Counsel, and William D. Thetford, Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

            Michele N. (mother), mother of six-year-old T.V., appeals from an order terminating her parental rights.  We affirm.

CONTENTIONS

            Mother contends that the trial court failed to employ procedures comporting with due process when it appointed a guardian ad litem for her, and that such error mandates reversal of the court's order appointing a guardian ad litem and all subsequent orders, including the order terminating parental rights.  Mother further contends that substantial evidence did not support the trial court's finding that the beneficial relationship exception set forth in Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(A)^[1] did not apply.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

            T.V. was born on August 24, 2000.  On November 3, 2004, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was notified that T.V. was possibly a victim of physical abuse.  A social worker was dispatched to T.V.'s school and observed both of his eyes to be swollen and bruised with two small cuts above and below his right eye.  The social worker also observed a red abrasion behind his ear.  When asked what happened, T.V. motioned to his face as if punching it with his fists and said that â€