In re M.G. CA2/8

INTRODUCTION

Melina S. (Mother) and Francisco G. (Father) challenge the juvenile court’s June 3, 2021, order terminating parental rights for their son M.G. (born 2017). They contend the juvenile court did not conduct a correct beneficial parent-child relationship analysis as set out in In re Caden C. (2021) 11 Cal.5th 614 (Caden C.) and instead considered factors Caden C. deems improper. They urge us to reverse the order terminating parental rights and remand the matter for a new hearing under Welfare & Institutions Code section 366.261 using only the correct Caden C. factors. We reverse.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Now four-year-old M.G. is fed through a G-tube due to his diagnoses of esophageal reflux, generalized intestinal dysmotility, and laryngomalacia. He is also eligible for Regional Center Services due to developmental disability. Both parents are Regional Center consumers due to their developmental disabilities and former foster children. Because their ability to care for M.G. is impaired, Vilma L., Father’s longtime childhood In Home Support Specialist from the Regional Center, was initially M.G.’s primary caregiver. On December 7, 2017, it was reported to the…