Orange County Social Services Agency v. Angel R.

Angel R. appeals the trial court’s orders terminating his parental rights to his 10 minor children. He contends there was no evidence to support the court’s finding the minors were adoptable; thus, termination of his parental rights was premature. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.26, subds. (c)(1) & (c)(2).) 1 We agree and reverse accordingly.

*1062 I.

Nine of appellant’s ten children, ranging in age from one to nine years, were taken into protective custody on April 17, 1989, while appellant and his wife were panhandling in an Anaheim parking lot. The children were filthy, improperly clothed, and had not eaten that day. Several of them had never attended school. The parents were arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and for child neglect, and were incarcerated in Anaheim city jail.

Appellant had an extensive criminal background dating back to 1975. He had been arrested for, among other things, being under the influence of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, transporting and selling a controlled substance, burglary, receiving stolen property, assault, battery, armed robbery, and statutory rape. Also on file were a…