In re J.C. CA1/4

I.

INTRODUCTION

Appellant M.K., the alleged father of three-year-old J.C. (the minor), contends the juvenile court erred in failing to continue a hearing to terminate his parental rights pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26,1 in order to give him the opportunity to establish his paternity by completing genetic testing. We find no abuse of discretion. Accordingly, we affirm the order terminating appellant’s parental rights thereby freeing the minor for adoption.

1 All statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code. We note at the outset the minor’s mother is not a party to this appeal. Consequently we omit nonessential facts with regard to her participation in these proceedings.

1

II.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On May 29, 2012, the Contra Costa County Children and Family Services Bureau (the Bureau) filed a juvenile dependency petition on behalf of the then-11-month-old minor. Among other things, the petition alleged the minor’s 17-year-old mother had a substance abuse problem that impaired her ability to care for the infant. A report prepared for the jurisdictional hearing indicated mother cared for the minor while living in a foster…