Adoption of I.M.

Filed 11/18/14; pub. order 12/5/14 (see end of opn.)

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION EIGHT

Adoption of I.M., a Minor. B255038 (Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. BT55600/BN5881)

C.M.,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

S.R.,

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Amy Pellman, Judge. Affirmed. Valerie N. Lankford, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant. Janette Freeman Chocran, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Minor. Angela M. Rooney for Plaintiff and Respondent.

****** S.R., the presumed father of I.M. (father), appeals from the trial court’s order finding I.M.’s adoption by her stepfather could proceed without father’s consent. The court’s order was based on the ground that father had failed to communicate with I.M. and pay for her care and support for over one year, under Family Code section 8604, subdivision (b).1 We affirm.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Stepfather, C.M., filed a request to adopt I.M. in January 2013. I.M. was nine years old at the time. The request did not indicate whether father…