In re S.M. CA4/2

I.

INTRODUCTION

L.O. (Mother) appeals the juvenile court’s order terminating her parental rights to

her son, S.M. (born in 2009), and freeing him for adoption by his foster parents. We

affirm.

II.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In January 2015, the San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) 1 received a referral about Mother’s five minor children, including S.M. CFS’s

investigation revealed that S.M. and his siblings had been living with their maternal

grandmother, A.C., for about five years, but she had not become their legal guardian.

CFS learned that Mother had an extensive criminal record, a history of drug use, and was

homeless. CFS also learned that the children’s adult brother, J.G., lived with A.C. as

well. J.G. had a substance abuse problem, hit his girlfriend in front of the children, and

also punched his siblings.

Because of J.G.’s ongoing violent behavior, CFS obtained a detention warrant for

the children in April 2015. The social worker learned that Mother had recently been

arrested and was currently in jail. S.M.’s father’s whereabouts were unknown.

1 Mother’s other children are not involved in this appeal.

2 2 In April 2015, CFS…