In re O.C. CA4/2

I. INTRODUCTION

K.M. (Mother) is the biological mother of O.C. and I.R. In July 2019, the San

Bernardino Children and Family Services (the department) filed petitions on behalf of

both children, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 300 et seq., after K.M.

left her children in the care of a family friend and was unable to continue caring for them.

The department discovered that K.M. was homeless and living out of her car at the time.

The children were removed from Mother’s custody and, after a contested 12-month

review hearing, the juvenile court terminated reunification services and set a hearing to

consider the termination of parental rights and the selection of a permanent plan pursuant

to section 366.26.

On April 26, 2021, the juvenile court held a contested hearing pursuant to section

366.26. Mother appeared via telephone, indicated she was having “car issues” that

morning, and requested permission to either testify telephonically or, in the alternative,

that the matter be continued for one day so that she could physically appear to provide

testimony. The juvenile court denied both requests, proceeded to summarily deny a

petition by Mother seeking…