In Re Autumn H.

Good Law
27 Cal. App. 4th 567·32 Cal. Rptr. 2d 535
Court of Appeal of CaliforniaAugust 8, 1994D020708California2,644 words

Opinion

Opinion

Carol Archer, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Minor.

OPINION

WORK, J.

Alan H. appeals after the court changed his dependent daughter Autumn H.'s permanent plan from long-term foster care to adoption and terminated Alan's parental rights under Welfare and Institutions Code [1] section 366.26. Alan contends the exception to termination of parental rights in section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(A), is unconstitutionally vague because it does not define the word "benefit." Alan further contends there was substantial evidence showing his daughter derived benefit from continuing her relationship with him and no change of circumstances existed to warrant terminating his rights and changing the plan to adoption. We affirm the order.

Alan's four children were taken into protective custody on September 13, 1991, after Alan kicked three-year-old Stephen, causing head, facial and back lacerations. Alan's wife Patricia, [2] seven-year-old Michelle and six-year-old Christine saw the kicking. The girls reported Alan hit them with a paddle. Autumn was then a year old. [3] The three older children were dependents of the court between 1988 and 1990 after Stephen's arm was…

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