Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services v. Tryphena R.
Opinion
lead Opinion
Flier, J.
Tryphena R., mother of four-year-old Aaliyah, appeals from two juvenile court orders: an order denying a petition for modification under Welfare and Institutions Code section 388 1 and an order terminating parental rights. Mother asserts the court abused its discretion in denying her section 388 petition by disregarding significant factors that compelled either the child’s return to mother’s custody or further family reunification services. *440 Mother further asserts the court erred in terminating parental rights because the parental relationship exception under section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(A) applies. 2 We affirm.
FACTS
Mother was 15 years old and a dependent child of the court when she gave birth to Aaliyah in January 2002. After her birth, Aaliyah resided with mother at St. Anne’s Group Home (St. Anne’s), a residential placement with specialized services for teens who are pregnant or have children.
The record indicates a long period of unstable behavior by mother, not the least of which was her neglect and refusal to take care of Aaliyah, despite the juvenile court’s extensive efforts to avert loss of mother’s parental rights.