Jeanette V. v. Jerry V.

Introduction

Appellant Jerry V. (appellant), the father of the dependent child Jeanette V., appeals from an order made pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26 which terminated appellant’s parental rights so as to free the child for adoption. 1 Appellant contends the trial court denied him due process by admitting social worker reports into evidence without making the social workers available for cross-examination. Finding no merit to this contention, we affirm.

Factual and Procedural Background

Jeanette was bom July 24, 1994, with drug toxicology from her mother’s drag abuse. At the dependency jurisdictional hearing of February 15, 1995, the court found true that both parents had a history of substance abuse which rendered them unable to care for the child. (The mother (Mother) is not a party to this appeal.)

At the six-month review of August 16, 1995, and the twelve-month review of February 14,1996, the court found that both parents failed to comply with the case plan.

The next hearing, pursuant to section 366.22, was continued several times and was eventually held October 3, 1997. An interim report for February 21, 1997, stated, “[Tjhere has been…