Alameda County Social Services Agency v. Catherine C.

Pursuant to a petition filed June 22, 1979, by the County of Alameda under Civil Code section 232, subdivision (a)(7), 1 the trial *898 court rendered judgment declaring Robert J., a minor, free from his natural mother’s custody and control. Appealing from the judgment, she contends that she was denied due process of law because county authorities failed to notify her of the legal consequences flowing from Robert’s placement in a foster home; that the county failed to meet its burden of proof under section 232, subdivision (a)(7); and that the trial court erred in failing to consider alternatives to termination, or at least in continuing her visitation rights. In this latter connection, she challenges the constitutionality of the statutory scheme insofar as it precludes continuation of visitation rights after termination. We will affirm.

Factual and Procedural Background

Evidence presented by the county at the termination hearings reflects the following. Robert was born on April 16, 1968. He has never known his natural father, who disappeared about that time. His mother, appellant Catherine C., is a mentally retarded person, who functions at the level of an immature…