Hernandez
Los Angeles County Department of Adoptions v. Hernandez
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Amerian, J.
Facts
On December 23, 1981, 17-year-old Catalina J. (herein Ms. J.) gave birth to a son, Manuel J. On the birth certificate she listed “Cripin Munos,” age 21, as father. On January 6, 1982, Ms. J. relinquished her son to appellant County of Los Angeles, Department of Adoptions (herein appellant).
Proceedings in the Trial Court
On July 21, 1982, appellant filed a petition under Civil Code section 232, seeking to free Manuel J. from parental custody and control. 1 In that peti *516 tion, appellant alleged the father was “Cripin Munos - (alleged natural father) - whereabouts unknown.” The petition further alleged that “Since 1-6-82 the minor’s parents have not supported nor communicated with the minor. [f] The minor’s parents were not married. The whereabouts of the minor’s parents are unknown, [f] The Department can provide suitable adoptive planning for the minor.”
Because the whereabouts of both mother and father was unknown, on August 4, 1982, appellant applied for and received an order for publication of citation in the section 232 proceeding. The application was supported by declarations showing the efforts made to locate each parent. In August 1982 the citation…