Shasta County Department of Social Services v. Gregory N.
Opinion
lead Opinion
Morrison, J.
Tonya W. and Gregory N., the mother and father of the minor, appeal from the juvenile court’s order terminating their parental rights. (Welf. & Inst. Code, §§ 366.26, 395; further undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.) Appellants contend the juvenile court erred by failing to assure compliance with various provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). ( 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.) We shall affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
In November 2001, the Shasta County Department of Social Services (DSS) filed a dependency petition concerning the minor after he was bom while the mother was in state prison. The petition alleged the mother had a lengthy criminal record, including five dmg-related convictions. According to the petition, the mother had failed to reunify with four other children.
At a hearing in May 2002, the juvenile court denied reunification services to the mother and set the matter for a hearing pursuant to section 366.26.
Subsequently, the mother disclosed that Gregory N., who was in prison, was possibly the minor’s father. In July 2002, Gregory N.’s paternity was confirmed through genetic testing.