In re L.P. CA4/2

I. INTRODUCTION

Defendant and appellant, R.J. (Father), appeals orders terminating parental rights

and placing his three children for adoption: L.P., a girl born in September 2012; I.P., a

boy born in March 2011; and A.P., a boy born in June 2004.1 Father claims the court

erroneously refused to apply the sibling relationship exception to adoption. (Welf. &

Inst. Code, § 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(v).)2 We affirm, because substantial evidence

shows none of the children shared a significant bond with any of their older half siblings,

and the court reasonably concluded adoption was the best option for the children.

II. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

A. Background

The family came to the attention of plaintiff and respondent, San Bernardino

County Children and Family Services (CFS), in September 2012 after L.P. and the

mother tested positive for methamphetamine when L.P. was born. L.P. was transferred to

the neonatal intensive care unit due to respiratory problems and withdrawals. The mother

admitted using methamphetamine during the pregnancy, including the day before L.P.

was born because she thought she was overdue and wanted to induce labor.

The parents were not married…