San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency v. Dennis S.

*250 Opinion

Dennis S., Robin R., and Megan S. appeal a judgment under Welfare and Institutions Code 1 section 366.26 terminating Dennis’s and Robin’s parental rights to Megan. The parties 2 contend the judgment should be reversed because they established Megan’s relationship with her adult sister, Stephanie S., 3 warranted application of the sibling relationship exception of section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(E). 4 We affirm the judgment.

Factual and Procedural Background

In September 2000, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (the Agency) removed four-year-old Megan from her parents’ custody and filed a section 300 petition on her behalf because Robin’s substance abuse problems rendered her unable to care for the child and Megan had severe untreated dental decay. In October, the court made a true finding on the petition and ordered reunification services. In December, the Agency placed Megan with the mother of Stephanie’s boyfriend. 5 At the October 2001 12-month review hearing, the court terminated reunification services and scheduled a section 366.26 hearing.

At the April 2002 section 366.26 hearing, the court found Megan was adoptable. Finding none of the…