L.A. Cty. Dep't of Children & Fam. Servs. v. Inez M.

Appellant Inez M. appeals from a judgment terminating her parental rights on the ground that the order results in the severance of her child’s relationship with a foster family. We hold that she has no standing to raise that issue. Our decision extends the recent line of cases holding that a parent does not have standing to challenge the termination of parental rights based on the minor’s relationship with siblings or grandparents.

Contention

Appellant contends that “literal application of [Welfare and Institutions Code] section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(D)—under the circumstances of this case—defeated the paramount purpose of protecting the minor’s best interests, (parens patriae) violating his fundamental constitutional right to continue to be a part of the only family he has known.”

Facts and Procedural Background

On December 6, 1994, the department of children and family services filed a petition in the Los Angeles County Juvenile Dependency Court alleging that the minor, Devin M., was bom with a positive toxicology screen for cocaine. Among other things, the petition alleged that the minor’s mother was a frequent user of cocaine, which rendered her incapable of…