Santa Clara County Department of Family & Children's Services v. Stephanie G.

In this juvenile dependency matter, Stephanie G. (mother) appeals from an order of the juvenile court identifying adoption as the permanent placement goal for her sons Roland and Gabriel and directing the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services (Department) to attempt to locate an appropriate adoptive family for the children. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.26, subds. (b)(2), (c)(3).) 1 Mother argues that there is insufficient evidence to support the juvenile court’s findings that *1431 the boys are probably adoptable and that they are difficult to place for the reasons specified. The Department urges us to dismiss the appeal, arguing that mother’s contentions are premature and that the order is not appealable.

We conclude that the order is an appealable order and, given recent amendments to section 366.26, subdivision (c)(3), mother’s appeal is not premature. On the merits, however, we reject mother’s contentions and affirm the order.

I. Background

Two-year-old Roland and four-year-old Gabriel lived with mother and their infant half-brother. On March 17, 2004, social workers went to mother’s home, found the children abused and neglected, and took…