In re A.C.

Michael C. (Father) appeals a juvenile court judgment terminating his parental rights to his minor daughter A.C. (the child), and selecting adoption as her permanent plan. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.26; all further statutory references are to this code unless noted.) Father chiefly argues that no sufficient evidence supports the court’s underlying findings that (a) the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s (Agency) adoption assessment report (Adoption Assessment) was adequate and up to date on the child’s mental and emotional status (§ 366.21, subd. (i)(l)), and (b) there was no applicable exception to adoption preference, i.e., the beneficial parent-child relationship. (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(l)(B)(i); In re Autumn H. (1994) 27 Cal.App.4th 567, 576 [ 32 Cal.Rptr.2d 535 ].)

Father also seeks review, by way of designating his appeal to be a writ proceeding, of certain of the juvenile court’s earlier orders from the 12-month review and referral hearing. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.452; all further rule references are to these rules unless noted.) He claims that he did not forfeit such claims, even though his previously appointed appellate attorney declined to…