In Re Tamika C.
Kern County Department of Human Services v. Tamika C.
Opinion
Opinion
Vartabedian, J.
Tamika C. has been a dependent child of the juvenile court placed in long-term foster care almost her entire life. The Kern County Department of Human Services (department) filed a petition seeking to terminate dependency after Tamika reached the age of majority. The department’s basis for termination was to relieve itself of the increased financial obligation that must be borne by the department when a dependent child reaches the age of 19. Tamika, through her counsel, objected to the termination of dependency because she wished to remain a dependent child of the court until she completed her high school education, scheduled for June of 2006. The trial court terminated dependency. Tamika appeals from this order, claiming the trial court erred in terminating her dependency.
We must determine if it would be in Tamika’s best interests to remain a dependent until she graduates from high school, or if the department’s stated desire to save money is sufficient to override Tamika’s best interests. We reverse.
FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS
Tamika’s infant brother was abandoned by their mother. The department investigated and determined that Tamika and her three older sisters were…