In re A.N. CA4/2

I. INTRODUCTION

F.A. (father) appeals from placement orders made following the hearing under

Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 366.26 hearing at which his parental rights were

terminated as to A.A. (born in April 2004) and A.N. (born in September 2005). Father

contends the juvenile court erred in refusing to conduct a hearing to assess the children’s

placement with a relative caretaker under section 366.26, subdivision (k).

CFS contends father lacks standing to raise placement issues, and we agree. We

will therefore dismiss the appeal.

II. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Prior Proceedings

In 2008, A.A., A.N., and their half sibling, C.N. 4 were made dependents of the

juvenile court and removed from their parents’ custody based on allegations of substance

abuse and neglect. Father had been arrested in 2005 and remained in custody. He was

All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

“[T]he application of any person who, as a . . . foster parent, has cared for a dependent child for whom the court has approved a permanent plan for adoption, or who has been freed for adoption, shall be given preference with respect to that…