In re F.M. CA4/1

INTRODUCTION

A.M. (Mother) appeals from the juvenile court’s order terminating her

parental rights to her then two-year-old daughter, F.M. (Welf. & Inst. Code,1 § 366.26.) She contends the juvenile court erred in finding the parental- benefit exception to adoption did not apply. (Id., subd. (c)(1)(B)(i).) We conclude Mother has not affirmatively demonstrated error and affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. The Agency’s Petition In February 2022, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (Agency) received a child welfare referral alleging that Mother tested positive for amphetamines after giving birth to F.M. Hospital staff reported that F.M.’s meconium results were positive for methamphetamines, amphetamines, and marijuana. Mother admitted to using drugs several days earlier. The Agency filed a juvenile dependency petition under section 300, subdivision (b), alleging that Mother failed to protect F.M. because she had a history of drug use, she used drugs during her pregnancy, she tested positive for amphetamines, and that F.M.’s umbilical cord tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamines. The petition further alleged the

father, J.W., had a history…