In Re Justice P.

Christopher Blake, San Diego, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for the Minors.

Stephen P. (Stephen), the father of Justice P., Devin P., Stephen M.P., and Hunter P., appeals the termination of his parental rights pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26. [1] Stephen contends the juvenile court should have granted an evidentiary hearing on his petition to modify (§ 388) the court's earlier rulings that he had been given notice of the proceedings as required by law and that the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (Agency) had made reasonable search efforts to find him. We affirm.

On October 6, 2002, Agency took Justice, seven years old, Devin, five years old, Stephen M.P., three years old, and Hunter, one year old, into protective custody after their mother, Tricia P., was arrested for using a stolen credit card. [2]

Tricia identified the children's father as Stephen and said she believed he was living in Arizona. Stephen and Tricia were married in June 1995; Tricia said they had separated and she was divorcing him. Agency initiated a parent search for Stephen. Susan G., the maternal grandmother (maternal grandmother) who was…