In Re Sophia B.

William K. Mueller, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Objector and Appellant.

Lloyd M. Harmon, Jr., County Counsel, and Arlene Prater, Deputy County Counsel, for Petitioner and Respondent.

Stephen J. Perrello, Jr., for Minor.

OPINION

WIENER, Acting P.J.

When Sophia Rachel B. was born on August 13, 1985, her mother Martha G. had been subject to an LPS conservatorship for the better part of seven years suffering from a mental disorder. The county's public guardian served as Martha's conservator. Approximately two months after Sophia's birth, she was made a dependent of the juvenile court pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivision (a) and placed with a friend of Martha's who hoped to adopt her. At that time, Martha was diagnosed as suffering from Bipolar Affective Disorder with "zero prognosis regarding any future hope of being able to care for and manage needs of an infant."

During the next year and a half, Martha alternated between staying in psychiatric hospitals and board-and-care facilities. Two attempts at independent living proved unsuccessful. In December 1986, the county's department of social services (DSS) petitioned to have Sophia…