Fresno County Department of Social Services v. Lucia R.
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Thaxter, J.
Lucia R., the natural mother of Ronald R., appeals from a juvenile court order terminating her parental rights and ordering adoption as the appropriate permanent plan for Ronald. We will affirm.
Procedural History
On November 3, 1992, respondent Fresno County Department of Social Services (DSS) filed a petition alleging that one-week-old Ronald R. was a minor within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code 1 section 300, subdivisions (a), (b), and (g). The petition asserted that Ronald’s mother, appellant Lucia R., had used cocaine and heroin daily during pregnancy, and that as a result, Ronald was bom “with low birth weight, testing positive for heroin and cocaine in his system and exhibiting the negative symptoms of prenatal drug use, namely, jitteriness, jaundice and stiffness.” The petition farther alleged that Ronald was at risk of serious physical harm due to Lucia’s inability to supervise or protect him adequately, and that Ronald was without any provision for support. Ronald was already in DSS custody.
On November 4, 1992, a detention hearing was held. Lucia was present and the public defender was appointed to represent…