Sutter County Department of Human Services v. Michele B.

Michele B., mother of the children Caitlin and Ryan, appeals from orders of the juvenile court terminating her parental rights and freeing the children for adoption (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.26; further undesignated section references are to this code). Appellant contends the *1192 court erred in terminating her parental rights because Ryan’s alleged fathers were not provided notice of the dependency proceedings. Appellant further argues there was insufficient evidence Ryan was likely to be adopted. We affirm the orders of the juvenile court.

Facts

Caitlin and Ryan, now seven and five years old respectively, were removed from appellant’s care in August 1996. Appellant failed to reunify with the children who were placed in long-term foster care in April 1998 because they were too emotionally disturbed to be adoptable. Throughout the reunification period, contact with appellant exacerbated the behavioral problems of both children.

The children were placed in the same foster home until August of 1998 when Ryan’s behavioral problems were beyond the ability of the foster parents to control and he was moved to a new home. Both Ryan and Caitlin did better in separate homes.…