In Re Jasmine T.

86 Cal.Rptr.2d 128 (1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 209 In re JASMINE T., a Person Coming Under the Juvenile Court Law.

Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

Gale G, Defendant and Appellant.

No. B126611. Court of Appeal, Second District, Division Four.

June 1, 1999. [129] Melissa A. Chaitin, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant.

Lloyd W. Pellman, County Counsel; Auxiliary Legal Services, Patrick D. Goodman and Kristine P. Miles, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

EPSTEIN, J.

Gale G. (mother) appeals the termination of her parental rights. She argues that legal guardianship was the appropriate permanent plan because her daughter, Jasmine, was placed with a relative who could provide a stable home as a legal guardian. We conclude the trial court appropriately ordered adoption and affirm the judgment.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL SUMMARY

Jasmine was born on October 31, 1994.[1] In July 1997, Jasmine's paternal grandmother, Linda W., took custody of Jasmine after finding her alone at mother's apartment. Linda W. contacted the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) two weeks later. Linda W. retained custody of Jasmine and was granted de facto parental status.

DCFS filed a petition under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 alleging that mother left Jasmine alone in her apartment without making provisions for Jasmine's [130] care.[2] It also alleged that (1) mother failed to provide Jasmine with the basic necessities of life, thereby endangering Jasmine's well being; (2) mother had a long history of alcohol abuse; (3) mother's residence was in a dirty condition with piled-up dishes, clothes on the floor, and a limited food supply; and (4) Jasmine's sister was in the dependency system and mother failed to reunify with her. The court found a prima facie case for detaining Jasmine under section 300, subdivisions (b), (g), and (j), and later sustained the petition on those counts.