In Re Donald S.
Los Angeles County Department of Children's Services v. Donald S.
Opinion
Opinion
Lucas, J.
Donald S. appeals from an order of the juvenile court terminating his dependency status.
Facts
Donald S. was born in 1972, abandoned at birth by his mother, and placed in foster homes until his adoption in 1979. From April 1982 to October 1982, the minor was a dependent child of the court based on allegations of physical abuse by his adoptive parents.
In April 1983, a new petition was filed in juvenile court alleging physical abuse of the minor by his adoptive parents under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivisions (a) and (d). In a statement to the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) worker, the adoptive parents indicated they were unable to cope with the minor’s behavior problems and wished to have the adoption set aside. The worker recommended the child be removed from his parents’ home and placed in a group home. She also recommended ongoing therapy to assist the minor in overcoming his emotional and psychological problems. This recommendation was approved by the juvenile court on May 25, 1983.
On February 20, 1985, the housemother at Westside Youth Home prepared a report indicating that Donald S. had admitted trying to kill her by placing “TSP”…