In re D. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Appellant Brittany B. (mother) appeals from a juvenile court order terminating her parental rights to two of her children, A. and D. The children were removed from mother’s care in October 2020, shortly after A.’s birth; D. was 23 months old. At the termination of rights hearing under Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.261 in February 2023, the juvenile court held that that mother failed to demonstrate that the parental-benefit exception to adoption under section 366.26, subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i) applied. Mother appealed. We affirm. Mother did not meet her burden to demonstrate that termination would be detrimental to the children under the parental-benefit exception. Mother’s visitation with the children was inconsistent and she did not show that the children would benefit from continuing the relationship.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Detention The children came to the attention of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in September 2020, when mother tested positive for opiates and

All further undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 amphetamines at the time of A.’s…