Monterey County Department of Social Services v. Brenda M.

Brenda M. appeals an order terminating reunification services to her daughter Michelle (No. H007451). She argues this order is appealable and that insufficient evidence supports the juvenile court’s finding that reasonable reunification services were offered her. We conclude, as have other appellate districts, that the order is not appealable, but we will treat the appeal as a petition for an extraordinary writ. Since we find substantial evidence to support the juvenile court’s finding, however, we will deny the writ petition.

She has also appealed an order terminating her parental rights to her daughter, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26 (No. H008245). 1 We ordered these appeals considered together. In this latter appeal, she argues the juvenile court should have determined the adequacy of reunification services, and that there was not clear and convincing evidence that Michelle would be adopted. Because a juvenile court need not review or evaluate reunification services at a section 366.26 hearing, and because there was clear and convincing evidence that Michelle was likely to be adopted, we will affirm the juvenile court’s order terminating…