Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services v. Maria N.
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Cooper, J.
Harry N. (the Minor), bom mid-January 1999, was declared a dependent of the juvenile court soon after his birth. He was bom with symptoms of drug withdrawal; both parents had histories of drug abuse, and his father had a history of arrests and convictions for violent offenses. He is currently in the care of respondents, his foster parents, with whom he was placed virtually at birth and who wish to adopt him.
Both the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) and the Minor’s paternal aunt and uncle appeal from *1381 orders of the juvenile court. Appellants all argued for placement with the paternal relatives, who live in Puerto Rico. The court ordered that the Minor remain with the foster parents and that the adoption by them be set for finalization. 1 The court also ordered that the Minor not be removed from the home of his foster family without prior court order. The Department’s appeal is from the order after a hearing under Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26. 2 Manuel and Aleida P., the paternal uncle and aunt who wish to adopt the Minor, appeal from the juvenile court’s order denying their section 388 petition.