Brownfield
Brownfield v. Brown
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Lazarus, J.
*843 Opinion
This appeal is from a judgment declaring Deanna, a little girl, born December 22, 1968, free from the custody and control of her natural mother, objector and appellant Margaret Joyce Brown.
Petitioners and respondents Bruce and Gloria Brownfield are the child’s foster parents who have had the child under their custodial care since August 28, 1969. Their petition alleged abandonment by the child’s legal and natural fathers (Civ. Code, § 232, subd. (a)(1)) and cruelty or neglect by her natural mother. (Civ. Code, § 232, subd. (a)(2).) Also pending is a petition for the adoption of the child filed by the Brownfields at the same time that they filed their petition to have the minor declared free from parental control.
The Chief Probation Officer of Napa County, pursuant to Civil Code section 233, 1 submitted her report recommending that the petition be granted.
The matter thereafter came for hearing on May 9, 1974, before The Honorable Robert E. Roberts. No appearance was made by the child’s natural or legal fathers. Respondents were permitted by stipulation of counsel and leave of court to introduce evidence under section 232, subdivision (a)(7). At the hearing…