L.H.

INTRODUCTION

Lakesha H., prior caretaker, appeals from the order of the juvenile court removing siblings G. (age 4 years) and Genesis (age 26 months) from her custody (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.26, subd. (n))1 and denying her modification petition to have the children returned to her care (§ 388). We conclude the evidence supports the court’s finding that removal of the children was in their best interest and return would not be in their best interest. Accordingly, we deny the petition.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

We are familiar with this dependency and so we derive the background facts from our earlier opinion: G. was six months old in February 2009 when the Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) detained her. Her biological mother’s female companion told the Department that she signed G.’ birth certificate as the “father” with the intention of becoming G.’ “ ‘ “legal father.” ’ ”2 The juvenile court sustained a petition (§ 300) naming the mother and a subsequent petition (§ 342) naming the female companion. The court terminated reunification services for both women and set a permanent plan hearing (§ 366.26). The earlier appeals arose from the…