Sacramento County Department of Health & Human Services v. Levetus B.

In these consolidated appeals, Levetus B., mother of the minor, Angel W., appeals from orders of the juvenile court denying her petition for modification and terminating her parental rights. (Welf. & Inst. Code, §§ 388, 366.26 [further undesignated statutory references are to this code].) In the published part of this opinion, we find the court erred in denying appellant’s request to represent herself, but that such error was harmless. In the unpublished portions of this opinion, we reject appellant’s remaining claims of error. We affirm the orders of the juvenile court.

Facts

The Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) removed the two-year-old minor from appellant’s custody in September 1998 based upon allegations of neglect, domestic violence and substance abuse. The court adjudged the minor a dependent child and ordered reunification services, including a psychological evaluation. The evaluation concluded appellant tended to project blame for her problems on others, was unlikely to profit from parenting classes, and would probably have difficulty with independent parenting. Appellant participated in services, completed various programs and…