San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency v. Amber G.

Amber G. appeals a juvenile court order terminating her parental rights and ordering a permanent plan of adoption for her son, Isaiah S. Amber contends the juvenile court (1) did not ensure the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (Agency) complied with the *431 relative placement statute (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 361.3), 1 (2) abused its discretion by not exercising its independent judgment on the issue of relative placement, and (3) erred by not applying the sibling relationship exception to termination of parental rights. We affirm the juvenile court’s order.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In 2009, Isaiah tested positive for methamphetamine at birth, which led to his removal from Amber’s custody and his first dependency case. Amber and Benjamin S., Isaiah’s father, admitted to using drugs together in the past. Amber eventually reunified with Isaiah. In 2012, Isaiah sustained injuries to his head and bruises to various parts of his body when Amber left him inadequately supervised and he climbed on a dresser that fell on him. Again, Amber successfully reunified with Isaiah.

In August 2014, the Agency filed a third petition on Isaiah’s behalf, alleging he…