Danielle A. v. Sup. Ct.
Petitioner (mother) seeks writ review (Welf. and Inst. Code, S 366.26, subd. (l); Cal. Rules of Court, rules 8.450 and 8.452) of orders issued at the 12-month review hearing, where the court terminated family reunification services and scheduled a .26 hearing to select a permanent plan for mother's four children, all under 10 years of age. Mother contends the evidence does not support the court's finding regarding the improbability of the children's safe return within the statutory period. She further contends the court substituted its own subjective standards as justifying its orders, rather than following the legislative mandate established by the relevant statutes.
The case presents an unfortunate situation in which mother's serious physical and mental health issues have contributed to her inability to provide the level of care her young children need to ensure their safety and well-being. During a previous dependency, Orange County Social Services (SSA) provided comprehensive supportive services to this family, particularly designed to meet their specific and far-ranging needs. Now, more than one year into the second dependency, the same issues relating to mother's health and attendant neglect continue to place the children at risk. The juvenile court correctly decided there was no reasonable expectation of the children's safe return within the statutory period, and it was time to move the case forward to a permanent plan.
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