Jaqueline L. v. Superior Court
Petitioners (mother) and Leonard G. (father) are the parents of two young girls Ruby and Amber who were detained by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (Department) after father was jailed and mother and the girls were living as transients following mothers eviction from a domestic violence shelter. The parents received over 18 months of reunification services, not once complaining about the reasonableness of those services. However, at the conclusion of a contested 18-month review hearing, counsel for mother claimed for the first time that the Department did not provide her with reasonable reunification services during the first six months of the reunification period. Counsel for the father argued only that the children would not be at risk if they were returned to his custody. The juvenile court disagreed. At the recommendation of both the Department and counsel for the children, the court terminated reunification services and scheduled a hearing for the selection and implementation of a permanent plan for the children. (Welf. & Inst. Code, 366.26.)The parents filed separate writ petitions challenging the juvenile courts decision. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.452.) Both claim the juvenile courts finding that the Department provided them with reasonable reunification services is not supported by substantial evidence. In addition, father claims that substantial evidence does not support the juvenile courts finding that the children would be at substantial risk if returned to his custody. The Department opposes the granting of relief.
Court conclude the parents contentions lack merit. Accordingly, Court deny the petitions.
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