San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency v. Sonia P.

Sonia P. (Mother) appeals the juvenile court’s order placing her son Frank L. with his paternal aunt (Aunt) in North Carolina because separating Frank from his siblings was not in his best interests. Mother also contends Frank received ineffective assistance of counsel because attorney represented him as well as two of his siblings. Because Mother has no standing to raise either issue, we affirm the order.

Factual and Procedural Background

A January 1998 dependency petition alleges Mother was incarcerated, 1 there was no other adult 2 available to care for Frank, and his father’s whereabouts were unknown. A true finding was made on the petition in July.

*702 Frank’s two siblings, C. and Joseph, live in San Diego. C. was diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder and dysthymic disorder, early onset. Joseph also had a depressive disorder and had been living in a licensed group home since March 1995 due to his need for a secure, structured, therapeutic setting.

The social worker located father shortly before the 12-month review hearing. Father was unable to provide a home for Frank, but asked if he could be placed with father’s sister (Aunt), a licensed foster care…