In re Vicente D. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Felipe D. (father) challenges the juvenile court’s order terminating his parental rights over his child, Vicente D., under Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26.1 Father contends the juvenile court erred by not applying the parental-benefit exception to adoption. (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B).) For the reasons discussed below, we affirm. R.T. (mother) separately appeals but does not present her own arguments. She requests reversal of the juvenile court's termination of her parental rights if we reverse termination of father’s parental rights. Because we reject father’s contention on appeal, we necessarily reject mother’s as well. The parties are familiar with the facts and procedural history of the case, so we do not fully restate those details here. Instead, in the Discussion, post, we discuss the facts as needed to provide context for and resolve the issues presented on appeal.

DISCUSSION

A. Governing Law and Standards of Review

Once the juvenile court terminates reunification services and determines a dependent child is adoptable, it must select adoption as the permanent plan and terminate parental rights unless it finds doing so would be…