CA6

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

M.V. (Child), a 17-year-old male, is a dependent child of the Santa Cruz County Juvenile Court. His father is deceased. In 2011, respondent Santa Cruz County Human Services Department (Department) filed a petition on Child’s behalf under section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.2 At a hearing in September 2011, the juvenile court sustained the allegations in the petition, as modified by the Department, and assumed jurisdiction over Child. The disposition order removed Child from the custody of Mother, and ordered reunification services for Mother.3 In January 2012, Child was placed in foster care. At a March 23, 2012 hearing, Mother advised the court that she wished to waive further reunification services. After accepting Mother’s written waiver, the court discussed visitation with the parties. The parties agreed the court would reduce Mother’s visits with Child to once a month, and, at the request of Mother, allow the social worker to authorize additional visits if Child was agreeable to more frequent visits. Although counsel for the Department specially appeared for Child’s attorney at the hearing, she provided no input into the…