Orange County Social Services Agency v. Carl B.

Carl and Deborah B. appeal from the order of the juvenile court terminating Carl’s parental rights to their younger son, Cliffton. They claim Carl had made sufficient progress on his drug abuse treatment program by the time of the permanency hearing to justify reversing the previous order *419 terminating reunification services. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 388.) 1 Alternatively, they claim Cliffton’s relationship with his father is so beneficial that parental rights should not be terminated. (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(A).)

Carl also claims the juvenile court should have made orders maintaining the relationship between Cliffton and his older brother, Zachary, who was placed in long-term foster care. Carl points out both children were represented by one attorney, who did not advocate for sibling visitation or represent Zachary’s interests. Carl claims this was an impermissible conflict of interest and constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel, which he raises on Zachary’s behalf. Cliffton does not dispute the termination of parental rights, but he too claims the juvenile court should have made orders preserving his relationship with Zachary and raises ineffective assistance of…