Robin

Robin V., the father of Destiny V., petitions for a writ of mandate under the newly enacted procedures. We grant the petition, noting this case presents a classic example of the need for immediate appellate relief from an erroneous order, the harm of which can only increase the longer it remains uncorrected.

I

Destiny V. was bom to Jolie B. on July 29, 1992, with a positive dmg screen. Her father, Robin, who had a long history of criminal conduct, arrests and incarcerations, was out on bail on a firearms charge at the time. He attended the birth and then jumped bail, moving to Las Vegas with Jolie and Destiny. A short time later, he apparently had a change of heart and voluntarily returned to California to serve a two-year sentence at Tehachapi. That was where he was in December 1993, when he learned Destiny had been abandoned by her mother and was the subject of dependency proceedings. Robin immediately advised the Orange County Social Services Agency (SSA) he wanted custody of the child.

Robin’s reunification plan stated he would be considered for placement of the minor upon his release and after his completion of certain requirements. Inter alia, he had to: (1)…