In re S.C. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Mother Y.C. and father J.M. appeal from the juvenile court’s order terminating their parental rights over son, S., following a hearing pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26.1 Mother argues that the court failed to account for the strong bond mother had with the child in terminating her parental rights and determining that the parental benefit exception did not apply. Father joins this argument. We find no error. We accordingly affirm.

BACKGROUND2

I. Referral and Petition

S. was born in May 2017 and is the only child of mother and father. At the time of intervention, S. was living with mother and mother’s boyfriend, Nick. Father was incarcerated. The family came to the attention of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) based on referrals in May and September 2020, alleging that mother and Nick were selling and using drugs and engaging in domestic

All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated. Mother and father challenge only the court’s finding that the parental benefit exception did not apply as to mother. We therefore summarize the facts…