In re Abigail L.

INTRODUCTION

Heather W., the former foster parent of Abigail L., appeals from the juvenile court’s order denying her request for de facto parent status. Because the juvenile court erred in ruling Heather’s request was moot, we reverse the order and direct the juvenile court to enter a new order granting the request.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Abigail Is Placed with Heather After the juvenile court removed her from her parents, Abigail lived with Heather for almost two years, from February 1, 2019, when Abigail was eight weeks old, to November 24, 2020, the date of the hearing that prompted this appeal. In April 2019 the juvenile court declared Abigail a dependent child of the court under section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code1 and denied her parents family reunification services. Heather previously adopted two daughters from foster care and had another child placed with her when Abigail arrived.

Undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 Heather provided for all of Abigail’s “physical and essential needs” and was the only parental figure in Abigail’s life. Heather stated that Abigail called her “MaMa” and each…