In re Helen W.,
In dependency case, lack of client's signature on a notice of appeal that is signed by client's attorney is insufficient to justify an inquiry into client's authorization. Juvenile court's finding of adoptability was supported by substantial evidence where social services agency report included assessment of children's medical, developmental, emotional, and behavioral conditions throughout the two years of their dependency; details of the children's appealing characteristics, including their young ages, affectionate personality traits, positive interactions with others, and attractive physical appearances, that made adoption likely; and evidence that foster mother had no criminal record, was financially secure, emotionally mature, committed to permanent plan of adoption, would face no legal impediment to adoption and would excel, as she had for over two years, at meeting children's needs throughout their lives. Benefit exception based on showing that children would benefit from continuing parent child relationship did not apply to avoid termination of mother's parental rights where, although she loved her children, regularly visited them in their foster home and fed and changed them during visits, children were young, had spent most of their lives with foster mother and received food, shelter, and care from foster mother for over two years.
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