In re L.D. CA4/2

BACKGROUND

On February 3, 2010, the mother of L.D. was stabbed by L.D.’s father and she

died as a result. A dependency petition was filed and the minor was declared a dependent

1All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 on April 5, 2010. The court denied services to father, set a section 366.26 hearing, and

placed the minor in the concurrent planning home of the maternal grandmother.

Although the maternal grandmother’s home appeared appropriate, it was not approved for

adoption because she had a history of drug use and a theft conviction. As a result of the

denial of the exemption, the minor was removed from the home of the maternal

grandmother, and he was placed in the home of a maternal cousin.

Although originally interested in adopting L.D., the maternal cousin became

hesitant and subsequently decided she was not interested in adopting him. At that point,

a paternal third cousin, Tom C., expressed an interest in adopting the minor. Tom C. was

familiar with the father’s family history of mental illness. Tom C. had a degree in

sociology, was self-employed as a real estate broker, and he and his wife lived…