In re Sandra M. CA2/5

I. INTRODUCTION

The mother, Josephine D., appeals from an October 24, 2012 parental rights termination order. The mother argues she was prejudiced by the juvenile court‟s decision to proceed with the Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26 hearing and terminate her parental rights.1 The mother contends a delay in the section 366.26 hearing was warranted because the department was in the process of placing the child, Sandra M., with a relative. Had the child been placed with a relative, the mother potentially could have retained parental rights under the section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(A) exception to adoption. We conclude the mother forfeited the delay issue. We affirm the order terminating the mother‟s parental rights.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Section 300 Petition And Detention

On June 2, 2011, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the department) filed a dependency petition on behalf of the child pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (b) and (g). The petition alleged the mother had mental and emotional problems and a history of substance abuse including alcohol, marijuana and ecstasy, which placed the child at risk of harm. The father, Juan M.,…