Santa Clara County Department of Family & Children's Services v. C.K. (190 Cal. App. 4th 102, 2010)

Opinion

ELIA, J.

Dependency proceedings (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 300 et seq.) were commenced on behalf of siblings C.B. and M.B. (children) and their older sister C. The juvenile court terminated parental rights as to the children and selected a permanent plan of adoption. (See § 366.26.) Mother C.K. (mother) and father C.B. (father) appeal from the order terminating their parental rights. (§ 395.)

On appeal, mother contends that the judgment terminating parental rights must be reversed because (1) substantial evidence does not support the juvenile court’s determination that the parent-child relationship exception did not apply (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(l)(B)(i)), (2) substantial evidence does not support the juvenile court’s determination that the Indian child exception did not apply (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(vi)), and (3) adequate notice under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) (25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.) was not provided to the Choctaw and Seneca tribes. Father joins in these arguments.

On appeal, father contends that the judgment terminating parental rights must be reversed because (1) substantial evidence does not support the juvenile court’s determination that the sibling relationship exception did not apply (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(l)(B)(v)), and (2) the court lacked substantial evidence to find that the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS or Department) engaged in “active efforts” to emolí the children in the Cherokee Nation (§ 361.7; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.484(c)). Mother joins in these arguments.

We reverse for limited purposes, specifically to allow adequate notice to be provided to the Seneca tribes and to allow the court to determine, under the proper standard, the applicability of the parent-child relationship exception to termination of parental rights.

A. Procedural History

1. Background

On October 19, 2007, juvenile dependency petitions were filed on behalf of C.B. and M.B. They alleged jurisdiction on grounds of parental failure to protect (§ 300, subd. (b)) and no provision for support (§ 300, subd. (g)).

On October 23, 2007, amended juvenile dependency petitions (§ 300, subds. (b) & (g)) were filed on behalf of the children. On November 14, 2007, second amended juvenile dependency petitions (§ 300, subd. (b)) were filed on behalf of the children.

On December 31, 2007, third amended petitions (§ 300, subd. (b)) were filed on behalf of the children. The petitions alleged the following facts.

Mother had been incarcerated on October 18, 2007, and father was serving a 19-year prison sentence. On October 19, 2007, an emergency response social worker had placed the children in protective custody pursuant to a custody warrant. The protective custody warrant was issued because mother had left the children in the care of her boyfriend who was an inappropriate caretaker. The boyfriend had a significant criminal history and physical limitations that impeded his ability to care for the children. The children reported that the boyfriend slept all the time and drank beer. The boyfriend was facing eviction from a trailer park.

On October 1, 2007, an emergency response social worker had found the trailer home cluttered and large piles of debris outside. Sewage was leaking into the home due to a sewage system problem in the RV park. The trailer’s condition presented a health hazard to the children that placed them at substantial risk.

Mother had substance abuse problems and mental health issues impeding parenting. She had admitted smoking marijuana and consuming alcohol and she was depressed and sleeping all day. Her untreated mental health issues placed the children at substantial risk of harm.

Mother was not meeting the children’s basic needs. Their older sister C. had not attended school from September 24, 2007, to October 19, 2007, and she had previous unexcused absences. The children were usually dressed in dirty clothing and unkempt. The children were sometimes responsible for getting up and getting themselves to school in the morning, which involved crossing a major busy intersection without adult supervision.

On May 1, 2007, law enforcement had found the trailer in disarray with debris, clothing, trash and dirty dishes around. The refrigerator was “overrun with mold, mildew, and the smell of spoiled food.” Law enforcement found a “marijuana pipe next to the door, a water marijuana pipe on the counter next to the children’s clothing, and a broken glass drug pipe in the medicine cabinet above the toilet.” The shower was covered with items and appeared unavailable for use. The children had been placed in protective custody and mother had been charged with cruelty to a child and the charges were pending.

The Gardner Family Care Center had been involved with the family since August 2, 2007. The family had been offered differential response services through the center and the center had provided intensive weekly services, which had not stabilized the family.

According to the petitions, mother had a criminal history that included a DUI (driving under the influence) and driving without a license conviction on December 12, 2006, second degree burglary, petty theft, and false personation. Charges of false imprisonment and being drunk in public against mother were also pending. Father had committed violence against mother and had been arrested for domestic violence on December 24, 2004.

The jurisdiction/disposition report, filed February 21, 2008, reported six prior referrals to child welfare for the family between January 2002 and July 2007. The children had been placed in a foster home. Their older sister C. had been placed in a group home.

The third amended dependency petitions were amended on their faces to delete the allegation that mother was charged with child endangerment and to instead state that mother had pleaded no contest to contributing to the delinquency of a minor pursuant to Penal Code section 272, subdivision (a), and was awaiting sentencing.

After the jurisdiction hearing, the juvenile court found the allegations of the third amended petitions, as amended, true and found the children were described by section 300, subdivision (b). At the disposition hearing, the court adjudged the children dependent children of the court. It ordered family reunification services for mother and, under section 361.5, subdivision (e), it ordered the DFCS to not provide family reunification services to father. The court ordered supervised visits two times a week for mother and supervised visits four times a year, with prison approval, for father.

On July 23, 2008, following the six-month status review, the court ordered the children to continue under the care, custody and control of the DFCS in foster placement and ordered the children and mother to continue receiving services from the family reunification program. The court ordered supervised visits of two hours twice a week for mother and supervised visits four times a year, with prison approval, for father.

The status review report for the 12-month hearing provided the following information about mother. She had not maintained contact with the social worker and had missed several scheduled appointments. Mother had not enrolled in the recommended advanced parenting program because she had not met with the social worker for several months. Mother had not attended individual counseling despite referrals for therapists and she had not complied with drug testing. Mother had stated she was attending AA/NA (Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous) meetings regularly but she had not provided meeting attendance sheets and she had not provided contact information regarding her sponsor. Mother had failed to engage in an outpatient drug program as recommended. Mother had attended most of the classes for a domestic violence support group but had not obtained a certificate of completion.

On January 8, 2009, following the 12-month review, the court terminated family reunification services for mother. It ordered the children to continue under the care, custody and control of the DFCS for placement with an approved relative or nonrelative extended family member. The court ordered supervised visits of two hours once a month in the county in which the children resided for mother and supervised visits four times a year, with prison approval, for father.

On June 15, 2009, the court held a hearing for purposes of ensuring compliance with ICWA notice requirements.

On September 9, 2009, mother’s counsel told the court that mother needed the court’s assistance with maintaining contact with her children, who were residing with their aunt and uncle in Bakersfield. Mother’s counsel reported that mother could not reach the children by phone and their caretakers were not taking her calls. The court indicated that mother was entitled to talk to the children at least once a week and the caregivers were required to make the children available for that contact. The court ordered parents to be present at a contested section 366.26 hearing scheduled for October 28 and 29, 2009.

2. Section 366.26 Hearing

The juvenile court admitted into evidence and considered the “366.26 WIC Report” (dated May 7, 2009), four addendum reports (a report dated May 7, 2009; a report dated Aug. 17, 2009, and signed Aug. 12, 2009; a report dated Aug. 17, 2009, and signed Aug. 14, 2009; and a report dated Oct. 28, 2009), the curricula vitae of social worker Eva Jones-Ransom (Ransom) and ICWA expert Sean Osbom, the declaration of Sean Osbom, and two ICWA response letters.

The “366.26 WIC Report” provided the following history. Between October 2007 and December 2008, mother always attempted to attend the twice-a-week supervised visits with the children but was often late due to transportation issues. The supervisors of the visits reported that mother was appropriate with the children and the children appeared to enjoy the visits. The children’s older sister C. attended many of those supervised visits but “did not attend the visits regularly due to conflicts in her school schedule and other activities.”

In January, after visitation had been reduced to once a month and before the children moved to Bakersfield, mother visited with the children. In February, mother received transportation funding and traveled to Bakersfield for a visit under the supervision of the paternal aunt. During the February visit, mother reportedly threatened to use a mortar to blow up the DFCS building in San Jose. No visit was scheduled for March because the court had issued a temporary restraining order.

The report stated that mother and maternal grandmother C.K. had maintained regular phone contact with the children. The children had not had regular contact with their older sister C. The whereabouts of the sister C. were not known at the time of the report.

The aunt and uncle had “provided for all the children[’s] needs” and had “continued to provide exceptional care for the children in the home” and the family had “demonstrated that they are very capable [of] caring for the children’s needs.” The family was “very patient, and loving towards the children,” “very attentive” and able to give them “needed individual attention.” The report stated that the children were “well bonded and attached to their caretakers” and “are secure and happy children” with them. It indicated that C.B. expressed love for his caregivers, he was excited about and content with being adopted by his aunt and uncle, and he believed he would be happy in their care. M.B. had felt relief that she would remain in their home with her brother. It was reported that the children had thrived in their current placement.

The May 7, 2009 addendum report provided the following additional information. The paternal aunt reported to social worker Kerri Avery, who was then handling the dependency cases, that mother had cancelled the April 2009 visit because mother missed the bus to Bakersfield. Mother failed to contact the Bakersfield social worker who was going to supervise the visit. Mother later explained to Avery that she had cancelled the visit because the bus was going to be more than two hours late.

The addendum report, dated August 17, 2009, and signed August 12, 2009, reported that mother had told the new social worker, Ransom, that she did not visit the children in July because Avery had not provided funds for the bus. Mother had spoken to the children at least once or twice a week. Mother claimed that she was allowed to talk to the children for only a few minutes and the aunt required them to use the speakerphone so she could hear their conversation but the aunt stated that she allowed the children to speak privately. As to older sister C., the report stated that she “continue[d] to be on runaway status most of the time” and was not attending school. Ransom had received a phone call from mother, who said C. was staying with her and C.’s “ ‘pimp’ was looking for her and had threatened her life if [C.] did not give him $500 dollars.” Mother said she did not know the address where C. and she were staying.

The addendum report, dated August 17, 2009, and signed August 14, 2009, provided updated ICWA information.

The October 28, 2009 addendum report indicated that the aunt and uncle’s family and the children had moved to their new home and the children were doing well in school. M.B. stated she greatly enjoyed living with her aunt, uncle and cousins. She understood that adoption would mean not having to move again and her aunt and uncle would become her mother and father. M.B. liked visiting with her mother and talking with her on the phone a couple of times a week but indicated that talking with her twice a week was enough. C.B. said he said that he greatly enjoyed living with his aunt and uncle in their new home. He did not want to move anywhere else. He understood that, if he were adopted by his aunt, she would become his mother instead of his aunt. The report stated that mother had visited the children in Bakersfield during August and the visit had gone well.

The section 366.26 hearing took place in late October 2009. M.B., then nine years old, was called as a witness by mother. M.B. had lived with her aunt and uncle since January 2009 and, before that, she had lived in a foster home. Prior to being placed in the foster home, M.B. had lived in a shelter. Before the shelter, she had lived with her mother. At some other time, prior to January 2009, she had lived with her aunt and uncle without her mother. M.B. liked living with her aunt.

M.B. reported that when Avery was their social worker, they would call their mother whenever they wanted to. Now, she was only allowed to call her mother on Monday and Friday. She was always allowed to use the phone to call her mother. M.B. knew her mom’s phone number and recited it from memory.

M.B. testified that she would feel mad if she was never permitted to call her mother again or if she was not able to visit her mother again. She testified that she had been looking forward to seeing her mother on this visit to San Jose. She understood that she was going right back to Bakersfield after court that day but said, “I would like to see my mom after court more.” She indicated more than once that she would be sad if she was unable to see her mother again. M.B. would not like it if she could not see her mother any more after being adopted.

M.B. indicated that she had fun when her mother and she visited. Her mother usually brought them toys and they would play. She recalled a visit on her birthday when they played games and talked about her gifts and school. M.B. looked forward to visiting with her mother and sometimes tried to make her something. M.B. recalled being happy during a visit because she was finally able to give her mother a paper with writing and little hearts that she had made but she had forgotten to bring on the previous visit.

M.B. remembered living with her older sister C. for a short time but could not remember where. She wished she could live with C. and missed living with her. She enjoyed seeing her sister but did not know how often she saw her. She indicated that she would be sad if she could not see her sister again.

C.B. was called as a witness by mother. He was 10 years old at the time of the hearing. He had been living with his aunt and uncle since January 2009. The last time he had seen his father was in January 2009 before going to live with his aunt and uncle.

C.B. indicated that he had visited with his mother that morning. He felt sad that he was returning to Bakersfield that day without any more visits. He would like to stay longer to visit again with his mother. Since moving to Bakersfield, he had visited with his mother six times including that morning’s visit. During their visits, they “usually talk[ed] and play[ed] around.”

C.B testified that they were only supposed to call mother two times a week. Previously, he had been permitted to call more often. He knew and recited his mother’s phone number and his grandmother’s two phone numbers. He indicated that he liked talking with his mother on the phone, the calls were important to him, and he made sure to get his twice-a-week calls. His aunt had never said no when he said he wanted to call his mother.

When asked how he felt about being adopted by his aunt and uncle, C.B. said, “I feel okay. As long as I could see my parents.” When asked how he would feel if he were adopted but did not get to talk regularly with his mom on the phone, he replied, “I wouldn’t like it.” He would not like it if he were adopted and did not get to see his mother at least now and then. He confirmed that it was important to him to stay in contact with his mother.

C.B. remembered previously staying with his aunt and uncle without his mother for one year. His mother was able to visit and they had phone calls.

C.B. said he could not remember living with his older sister C. but he knew there was a period of time when they lived in the same house. He remembered playing with C. and going to the store with her and C. buying them food. C.B. thought his older sister was an important person in his life because she was his sister. He said he missed living with her and would like to be able to live with her again. He indicated that both his sisters were equally important because they were family and family was important to him. He indicated that he would be sad if he did not see his older sister again because he was “really close to her.”

C.B. confirmed that his mother was also an important person in his life, explaining she was “also family and if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t even be here.” He said he would be sad if he was not able to see his mother again “[b]ecause I really love her.” He enjoyed the time he spent with his mother. C.B. indicated he would be sad if he were unable to see his father again because “he’s family and if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t even have my name and I wouldn’t be here.”

Visiting and talking with both his mother and sister were important to C.B. His aunt and uncle allowed him to talk to his mother and sister and he had no reason to think that would ever change. He liked his aunt and uncle and agreed that even if he did not have a house with a big backyard, he would still like them.

The children’s maternal grandmother C.K. was called as a witness by mother. Before the children moved to Bakersfield, the grandmother saw them about once every other week and she also saw them during most of the supervised visits with mother. She spoke to the children on the phone a couple of times a week.

Since the children had moved to Bakersfield, grandmother C.K. had rarely seen them. She had visited with them when they had returned to this area for court. She recalled that, during a June visit at the shelter, the children ran to mother and gave her big hugs and mother had hugged and kissed them. The children also hugged their older sister and they were mutually excited to see each other.

Until recently, the grandmother had spoken to the children by telephone whenever they wanted to call her or she called them. Sometimes she was by herself and sometimes she was with mother during her phone contacts with the children. Just recently, they were limited to talking twice a week between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Monday and Friday. A couple of times, when the grandmother had called on days that were not her day to call, she had not been permitted to speak to the children. Grandmother C.K. believed that she would be denied contact with the children if they were adopted.

The grandmother had spoken to both M.B. and C.B. before their arrival in San Jose and they both had sounded very happy about seeing the family. She had seen the children that morning; they had run up and given their mother a hug and kiss.

Sean Hal Osborn, who was recognized as an expert under ICWA, testified on behalf of the DFCS. In his declaration, which was also admitted into evidence, Osborn made clear that ICWA did not, at that time, apply because the children were not Indian children as defined by ICWA. Neither father nor the children were then members of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He stated that the “active efforts” requirement applies only when a child is an Indian child as defined under ICWA. In any event, he indicated that active efforts had been made and included but were not limited to court-ordered family reunification services for mother, which included basic parenting, individual counseling, drug testing, AA/NA meetings, and a domestic violence support group.

Osborn indicated in his declaration that he had spoken with a representative of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He had been told that termination of parental rights would not prevent the children from becoming members of the tribe. He also reported that the Cherokee Nation would not be opposed to adoption of the children by paternal relatives. It was his opinion that the Indian child exception did not apply in this case.

Osborn further stated in his declaration that, “[a]lthough the Indian Child Welfare Act does not apply in this case at this point in time, the County had proceeded forward and complied as though this was an ICWA case.” He summarized the circumstances and concluded that it was “clear that [C.B.] and [M.B.] would be at risk of serious emotional or physical damage if retum[ed] to the care of either parent at this time . . . .” He determined that “termination of parental rights for [those two children] appealed] appropriate.”

At the hearing, Osborn was directed to answer questions as though ICWA applied even though it was not yet established that the children were Indian children as defined by the act. (See 25 U.S.C. § 1903(4) [defining “Indian child”].) He testified to his opinion that the agency had engaged in active efforts to prevent the breakup of the family and continued parental custody was likely to result in serious physical or emotional damage to the children. According to Osborn, it was very typical for family members to help rear children in the Cherokee community. He was asked hypothetically what position a tribe, such as the Choctaw or Cherokee Nation, would take if the children were members and the tribe were involved in this case. Osborn stated that the tribes prefer that children be placed “either in a guardianship or some other continued living arrangement.” He indicated the standard policy of the Cherokee Nations was to “not prefer termination of parental rights.”

Nevertheless, Osborn recommended termination of parental rights based upon the circumstances from the standpoint of ICWA. He did not, however, consider any other exception other than the Indian child exception to terminating parental rights under section 366.26.

The older sister C. was called as a witness by mother. C. testified that she did not believe the children should be adopted. She did not want her relationship with her brother and sister to end. She had last lived with her brother and sister before October 19, 2007.

The older sister had visited with them for about five minutes that day during a break in the court proceedings and had seen them at the courthouse during their last court date. The last time that she had actually spent time with them was at the children’s shelter during a family visit. The children ran to them and hugged and kissed them. She stated, “Our family is always hugging and kissing and we are close.” She recalled that M.B. had written a letter to their mother. When it was time to leave, her siblings seemed depressed when they said goodbye to their mother but also happy because they were going to visit with their mother again the next day.

The older sister indicated that she was not able to talk with M.B. and C.B. much by phone. She did not feel that comfortable talking to them on the phone because people were in the background talking to them and telling them what to say to her.

The older sister testified that she was 17 years old, she was not in school, and she did not have a cell phone. She stated that her siblings could get in touch with her through her social worker, who had the phone number of her best friend, with whom she was then living. She had never lived at her aunt’s house with her brother and sister. Once, three or four years before the hearing, the older sister had visited her brother and sister at her aunt’s house for about a week.

C. remembered when her mother, her brother and sister, and she had all lived together in the same home. She stated that, during that time, she took her siblings everywhere with her. She testified that they were important to her. She said, “They’re the closest thing to me. They’re, like, basically are me, just a little different people.”

C. stated that her aunt did not like her at all. Her aunt did not return her hugs. That day, she had gone over to her aunt, given her a hug, and said “hi, I love you,” but her aunt had said nothing and “just turned around.” C. did not think that her aunt would allow her to see her sister and brother if they are adopted.

Social worker Ransom, whom the court recognized as an expert in permanency planning options for children, testified on behalf of the DFCS. She had been assigned to the cases in the latter part of July 2009. She stated that the children appear to be very content and secure in the aunt and uncle’s home and “[tjhey seem to be bonded to the aunt and uncle and their cousins.” They have been with the aunt and uncle since January 2009 and they expressed to her that they felt part of that family. Ransom had concluded that they were very bonded to the aunt’s family and were in a very nurturing environment.

Ransom testified that the children also indicated to her that they would like to have continued contact with their own immediate family and grandmother. Ransom had spoken to the aunt and uncle about the possibility of continuing contact and they recognized that the children would like to continue seeing their mother and grandmother and they had said continuing contact would be possible. The aunt had no objections to, and did not place any limitations on, such contact. Ransom thought continuing phone contact and visitation was a possibility but it would be up to the discretion of the adoptive parents.

Ransom had been once told by the aunt that the children appeared distant and somewhat sad after returning from visiting their mother and it was Ransom’s understanding that, before she was involved in these dependency cases, there were times when the children appeared distant and did not listen to their caretaker after they returned from visiting their mother. Ransom was aware that, before she was involved in the case, the aunt had asked for the visits to stop. She was also aware that on more than one occasion both C.B. and M.B. have stated that they enjoy their visits with their mother.

Ransom had heard the testimony that M.B. and C.B. have a relationship with their mother and with their older sister. She also heard C.B.’s testimony about the importance of his relationship with his father. She still believed that adoption was in the children’s best interests. She understood that, if adopted, the children had no legal means of having a relationship or visitation with either parent and that contact with the parents would be entirely up to the adoptive parents. Although the aunt and uncle had indicated they planned to continue contact between the children and their parents, Ransom understood that could change in the future.

Ransom stated that the children had been in protective custody for about two years. Before being placed with their aunt and uncle in January 2009, the children had been in foster care placement. In 2006, prior to the dependency proceedings, they had lived with their aunt and uncle for about a year. According to Ransom, the children view their aunt and uncle as close family and call them aunt and uncle.

Ransom understood that the children wanted to have continued contact with their mother through telephone calls and visits and they would like visits and telephone calls with their mother to continue after adoption. The aunt and uncle had told Ransom that they will continue fostering the children’s contact with mother. Ransom did not have any concerns that the aunt and uncle would not facilitate visits between the children and parents.

Ransom acknowledged that the previous social worker had reported that, after the June visit in San Jose, the aunt had told that social worker that she believed that the children’s visits with their mother and grandmother were “toxic to the children” and she supported ending visitation and telephone calls. Ransom also acknowledged that another staff person had reported after that visit that the aunt had said that “she felt it would be best to stop the visits.” Ransom had not talked to the aunt about those comments. Ransom acknowledged that the aunt had not always indicated that she would support visits. Ransom agreed that she had worked diligently to help “soothe” the situation between the aunt and uncle and mother and the maternal grandmother.

When Ransom took over the case, mother and the maternal grandmother were repeatedly calling for assistance in making telephone contact and Ransom had explained to the aunt that they were entitled to unsupervised phone calls. The aunt indicated calls were coming in throughout the week and the children needed to do their homework and had other responsibilities. Ransom had proposed twice-a-week calls on regularly scheduled days.

Ransom stated that the aunt and uncle were aware that visitation with mother would be entirely voluntary and up to them after adoption. She thought “[i]t would probably be upsetting” to the children if contact with mother ended but she did not know if it would be detrimental to them. She was not sure if it would be harmful to the children to lose all contact with older sister C. because there was not a lot of contact between them.

Ransom believed that the children loved their mother. She believed that they could have a relationship with their parents after parental rights were terminated even if it was not a legal relationship. The aunt had stated that she realized that the children wanted to see and talk to their mother and she had no plans to end that. Ransom did not believe that termination of parental rights would substantially interfere with communication between the children and their older sister.

In Ransom’s opinion, a child’s statement that he or she loved a parent and would be sad or mad if he or she could never see the parent again was not a compelling reason to not terminate parental rights. It was her belief that parental rights should remain intact only if the parent would be able to safely regain custody of the child. She conceded that there might be situations in which a parent was unable to reunify but parental rights should be preserved. She was aware of the parent-child relationship exception.

Father testified in his own behalf. He disagreed with the recommendation of termination of parental rights for M.B. and C.B. He believed they were “really a close-knit family” and it was “a destructive thing to break up a family like that. . . .” He thought that termination of parental rights would be harmful to those children because “they wouldn’t think [he] fought for them.” He thought it would be harmful to them if they could not see or talk to their mother and older sister. He was writing the children every week but had not received one letter from them. He was only able to make collect calls.

Father had not signed a postadoption contact agreement.

Mother testified in her own behalf. She saw the children in front of the courthouse on October 28, 2009, and they seemed excited to see her and had come to her and hugged her. Later that morning, she and other family members saw the children upstairs. Later that day, she and other family members had a 30-minute visit with the children at a park.

According to mother, after the children moved to Bakersfield in January 2009, she saw the children one afternoon in February, on two days in mid-June, and for a number of hours on September 26, 2009, and September 27, 2009. Ransom provided her with a train ticket for the September visit. She did not visit them in March, April, May, July or August. She testified that, if her parental rights were not terminated and the aunt and uncle became the children’s legal guardians, she would be willing to arrange her own transportation to Bakersfield, to visit in public places outside the home of the legal guardians, and she was willing to have other relatives present during the visits.

Mother acknowledged that the children had previously moved into their aunt and uncle’s house on November 20, 2005, and lived there until February 23, 2007. The children had always lived with her before then. She explained that the children went to live with their aunt and uncle because father had beaten her and she was trying to get back on her feet. She took the children back when father was sentenced. She recalled being stopped by officials at different times in different counties and it was her understanding that the aunt was trying to prevent her from taking back custody of her children.

Mother testified that she spoke with the children on Mondays and Fridays and sometimes they snuck in a call with their cousins. They talked about school and what they were doing. They always seemed happy to talk to her.

According to mother, when mother said hello to the aunt on October 28, 2009, the aunt did not respond. Mother stated that the children were receiving father’s letters and they were writing to him and giving the letters to their aunt. Mother testified that she wanted the children removed from the aunt’s custody if she could not contact her children. Mother indicated that her cheating on father in April 2006 might have affected the way the aunt felt about her.

Mother believed the aunt and uncle loved the children. The children appeared happy and healthy.

Mother had not heard of a postadoption contact agreement until that day and had never signed such an agreement.

3. Decision and Order Terminating Parental Rights

The court indicated in its statement of decision that it had analyzed the section 366.26 issues as if ICWA applied and used the heightened ICWA standards at trial. The court found by clear and convincing evidence that the children C.B. and M.B. were likely to be adopted. It found “by clear and convincing evidence that the Department made active efforts to provide services designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and these efforts have failed.” It further found “beyond a reasonable doubt that continued custody with a parent is likely to cause serious emotional or physical damage to the children.”

The juvenile court did not find the parent-child relationship exception, sibling relationship exception, or the Indian child exception to termination of parental rights was applicable. It found “by clear and convincing evidence that termination of parental rights” was in the children’s best interests.

The court terminated mother’s and father’s parental rights with respect to C.B. and M.B. It selected adoption as the permanent plan.

B. Exceptions to Termination of Parental Rights

1. Section 366.26

Under section 366.26, the statutory preference is to terminate parental rights and order the child placed for adoption. (§ 366.26, subd. (b)(1).) “The circumstance that the court has terminated reunification services provides ‘a sufficient basis for termination of parental rights unless the court finds a compelling reason for determining that termination would be detrimental to the child due to one or more’ of specified circumstances. [Citation.] The Legislature has thus determined that, where possible, adoption is the first choice. ‘Adoption is the Legislature’s first choice because it gives the child the best chance at [a full] emotional commitment from a responsible caretaker.’ (In re Jasmine D. (2000) 78 Cal.App.4th 1339, 1348 [93 Cal.Rptr.2d 644].) ‘Guardianship, while a more stable placement than foster care, is not irrevocable and thus falls short of the secure and permanent future the Legislature had in mind for the dependent child.’ (In re Lorenzo C. (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 1330, 1344 [63 Cal.Rptr.2d 562].)” (In re Celine R. (2003) 31 Cal.4th 45, 53 [1 Cal.Rptr.3d 432, 71 P.3d 787].)

“The burden falls to the parent to show that the termination of parental rights would be detrimental to the child under one of the exceptions. (In re Zachary G. (1999) 77 Cal.App.4th 799, 809 [92 Cal.Rptr.2d 20].)” (In re Fernando M. (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 529, 534 [41 Cal.Rptr.3d 511]; see In re I.W. (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 1517, 1527 [103 Cal.Rptr.3d 538].) “The statutory exceptions merely permit the court, in exceptional circumstances (In re Jasmine D., supra, at pp. 1348-1349), to choose an option other than the norm, which remains adoption.” (In re Celine R., supra, 31 Cal.4th at p. 53.)

“Reviewing courts have applied various standards of review when considering trial court determinations of the applicability of these statutory exceptions to termination of parental rights.” (In re Scott B. (2010) 188 Cal.App.4th 452, 469 [115 Cal.Rptr.3d 321].) “A finding [that] no exceptional circumstance exists is customarily challenged on the sufficiency of the evidence. (See In re Jesse B. (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 845, 851 [10 Cal.Rptr.2d 516]; In re Brian R. [(1991)] 2 Cal.App.4th 904, 924 [3 Cal.Rptr.2d 768].)” (In re Autumn H. (1994) 27 Cal.App.4th 567, 575 [32 Cal.Rptr.2d 535]; see In re S.B. (2008) 164 Cal.App.4th 289, 297 [79 Cal.Rptr.3d 449].)

In In re Jasmine D., supra, 78 Cal.App.4th 1339, an appellate court concluded that the abuse of discretion standard, rather than the substantial evidence test, governed its review of a determination that an exception to termination of parental rights did not apply. (Id. at pp. 1342, 1351 [parent-child relationship exception].) It stated: “[T]he abuse of discretion standard is not only traditional for custody determinations, but it also seems a better fit in cases like this one, especially since the statute now requires the juvenile court to find a ‘compelling reason for determining that termination would be detrimental to the child.’ (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1).) That is a quintessentially discretionary determination.” (Jasmine D., at p. 1351; see In re T.S. (2009) 175 Cal.App.4th 1031, 1038 [96 Cal.Rptr.3d 706] [applying abuse of discretion standard of review to determination regarding Indian child exception].) The appellate court in Jasmine D. noted, however, that “[t]he practical differences between the two standards of review are not significant.” (Jasmine D., at p. 1351.)

We agree that the abuse of discretion standard governs review but also recognize that the substantial evidence test applies to pure findings of fact. (See In re Jasmine D., supra, 78 Cal.App.4th 1351; see also In re A.A. (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 1292, 1322 [84 Cal.Rptr.3d 841].) When applying the deferential abuse of discretion standard, “the trial court’s findings of fact are reviewed for substantial evidence, its conclusions of law are reviewed de novo, and its application of the law to the facts is reversible only if arbitrary and capricious.” (Haraguchi v. Superior Court (2008) 43 Cal.4th 706, 711-712 [76 Cal.Rptr.3d 250, 182 P.3d 579], fns. omitted; see Shamblin v. Brattain (1988) 44 Cal.3d 474, 478-479 [243 Cal.Rptr. 902, 749 P.2d 339].)

2. Parent-child Relationship Exception

Under section 366.26, subdivision (c)(l)(B)(i), parental rights cannot be terminated where the juvenile court “finds a compelling reason for determining that termination would be detrimental to the child” because “[t]he parents have maintained regular visitation and contact with the child and the child would benefit from continuing the relationship.” The exception does not require proof the child has a “primary attachment” to a parent or the parent has “maintained day-to-day contact” with the child. (See In re S.B., supra, 164 Cal.App.4th at p. 299.)

The exception’s second prong requiring that “the child would benefit from continuing the [parent-child] relationship” means that “the relationship promotes the well-being of the child to such a degree as to outweigh the well-being the child would gain in a permanent home with new, adoptive parents.” (In re Autumn H, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 575.) The juvenile court “balances the strength and quality of the natural parent/child relationship in a tenuous placement against the security and the sense of belonging a new family would confer.” (Ibid.) “If severing the natural parent/child relationship would deprive the child of a substantial, positive emotional attachment such that the child would be greatly harmed, the preference for adoption is overcome and the natural parent’s rights are not terminated.” (Ibid)

“The exception must be examined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the many variables which affect a parent/child bond. The age of the child, the portion of the child’s life spent in the parent’s custody, the ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ effect of interaction between parent and child, and the child’s particular needs are some of the variables which logically affect a parent/child bond.” (In re Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at pp. 575-576.)

In this appeal, mother contends that the juvenile court’s determination that the parent-child relationship exception did not apply “suffers from many of the same errors” committed by the juvenile court in In re S.B., supra, 164 Cal.App.4th 289. She points out that the children had lived with her for many years, the children missed her and were excited to see her, and she had a substantial, positive relationship with them.

In In re S.B., supra, 164 Cal.App.4th 289, an appellate court reversed an order terminating the father’s parental rights over his daughter, S.B. after concluding that the juvenile court had erred in finding the parent-child relationship exception did not apply. (Id. at pp. 293, 301.) In that case, the father had “maintained regular, consistent and appropriate visits with S.B. throughout the dependency proceedings” and they had “an emotionally significant relationship.” (Id. at p. 298.) The father had been S.B.’s primary caretaker for three years and, when she was removed from his custody, the father “immediately recognized that his drug use was untenable” and he “started services, maintained his sobriety, sought medical and psychological services,” and complied with every aspect of his case plan. (Ibid.) The record showed that “S.B. loved her father, wanted their relationship to continue and derived some measure of benefit from his visits.” (Id. at pp. 300-301.) A Dr. Kelin, who had conducted a bonding study of the father and daughter, testified that, due to their “fairly strong” bond, “there was a potential for harm to S.B. were she to lose the parent-child relationship.” (Id. at p. 296.) The appellate court concluded that “[b]ased on this record, the only reasonable inference is that S.B. would be greatly harmed by the loss of her significant, positive relationship with [the father].” (Id. at p. 301; cf. In re Amber M. (2002) 103 Cal.App.4th 681, 689-691 [127 Cal.Rptr.2d 19] [judgment terminating parental rights reversed where experts opined that children had a primary beneficial relationship with parent that clearly outweighed benefit of adoption].)

The same appellate court that decided In re S.B. subsequently stated in a different case: “The S.B. opinion must be viewed in light of its particular facts. It does not, of course, stand for the proposition that a termination order is subject to reversal whenever there is ‘some measure of benefit’ in continued contact between parent and child.” (In re Jason J. (2009) 175 Cal.App.4th 922, 937 [96 Cal.Rptr.3d 625].)

In this case, there was no dispute that the children loved mother and their wish was to continue contact with her. But, unlike In re S.B., there was no testimony from a psychological expert, no less one who had conducted a bonding study, that termination of parental rights would be detrimental to the children. While the court had to consider each child’s wishes, it was required to act in each child’s best interest (§ 366.26, subd. (h)(1)) and a child’s wishes are not necessarily determinative of the child’s best interest (see In re Michael D. (1996) 51 Cal.App.4th 1074, 1087 [59 Cal.Rptr.2d 575]).

At the time of the section 366.26 hearing in October 2009, M.B. was nine years old and C.B. was 10 years old. They had been in protective custody for about two years and had lived with the paternal aunt and uncle since January 2009. The children had previously lived with them from November 20, 2005, until February 23, 2007, when mother had voluntarily placed them there because she was unable to care for them. The aunt and uncle were providing for the children’s daily needs and mother acknowledged that they appeared to love the children. Social worker Ransom found the children were content and secure in the aunt and uncle’s home, they were bonded to them and their cousins, and they felt part of their family. The children understood the meaning of adoption, had voiced no objection to adoption, and were thriving in the home of the paternal aunt and uncle. Both had expressed to the social worker that they “greatly enjoyed” living with their aunt and uncle. Mother had never progressed beyond supervised visitation. Ransom did not testify that termination of parental rights would be harmful to the children.

The juvenile court determined that the parents no longer served a parental role for the children; rather, the aunt and uncle met their everyday needs. Appellants contend that the court incorrectly focused on the aunt and uncle’s provision of day-to-day care. This appellate court and others have stated that “[t]o meet the burden of proving the section 366.26, subdivision (c)(l)(B)(i) exception the parent must show more than frequent and loving contact, an emotional bond with the child, or pleasant visits—the parent must show that he or she occupies a parental role in the life of the child. (In re Derek W. (1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 823, 827 [86 Cal.Rptr.2d 739].)” (In re I.W, supra, 180 Cal.App.4th at p. 1527.) The juvenile court was entitled to evaluate the strength and quality of the children’s relationship with their mother and could properly observe that the children’s daily needs were being met by the aunt and uncle. Its comments do not demonstrate that it was improperly requiring mother to have day-to-day contact with the children or to be the primary attachment for application of the parent-child relationship exception. “A strong and beneficial parent-child relationship might exist such that termination of parental rights would be detrimental to the child, particularly in the case of an older child, despite a lack of day-to-day contact and interaction.” (In re Casey D. (1999) 70 Cal.App.4th 38, 51 [82 Cal.Rptr.2d 426].)

In this case, the juvenile court implicitly found that there was substantial, positive emotional parent-child attachment despite the lack of day-to-day contact. The court observed that the children were “of an age where they are intellectually and emotionally aware of whom their parents are.” It stated: “The Court had [the] opportunity to observe the children in the presence of their parents, and there is no doubt that the children love their parents and would choose to be with their parents if at all possible. It was clear to the Court, by the eye contact and the smiles, that the children were happy to be sitting in the same room as the parents. The Court heard the children testify that they would be ‘mad’ and ‘sad’ if they were not able to have contact with their mother, though they also testified that they would like to be adopted and do not want to move from their current home. The children testified that they have been assured by their aunt that even if they are adopted, they will be able to continue having phone calls and visits with their mother.” The court also observed that “[t]hese children know their parents as their parents” and “view [them] as their parents . . . .”

The court then moved on to the weighing process. The court recognized that, “given the ages of the children, ... the Court’s analysis of the benefits of adoption compared to the benefits of maintaining the parent-child relationship is slightly different than it would be if the children were infants or toddlers.” It found that “these parents have very little to offer these children except for the loving connection that currently exists between them.”

The juvenile court ultimately concluded that “[t]he overwhelming benefits to children that accompany the permanent plan of adoption—stability, security, permanence—are not easily outweighed, and they are not outweighed in this case.” It reached that conclusion based, at least in part, upon the expectation that the children’s aunt and uncle would permit the children to have continued contact with mother after they were adopted.

The court stated: “There is no evidence that that [loving] connection [between mother and the children] would be severed if the Court were to terminate parental rights. The Court cannot see that terminating parental rights would ‘greatly harm’ the children pursuant to In re Brittany C. Instead, the children will have the best of both worlds. They will have stability, predictability, nurturing, love and warmth in their adoptive home; and because they are placed with relatives, they will maintain the connection to their parents.”

Appellants argue that evidence of past visitation and phone call problems “demonstrates the aunt will likely stop the contact . . . .” This argument is essentially a request that this court reweigh the evidence, which we cannot do. In applying the substantial evidence test, “[w]e do not evaluate the credibility of witnesses, reweigh the evidence, or resolve evidentiary conflicts.” (In re L. Y. L. (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 942, 947 [124 Cal.Rptr.2d 688].) “Rather, we draw all reasonable inferences in support of the findings, consider the record most favorably to the juvenile court’s order, and affirm the order if supported by substantial evidence even if other evidence supports a contrary conclusion. (In re Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 576.)” (Ibid.) Here, both the children and social worker Ransom indicated that the aunt would permit contact between the children and mother to continue.

Citing In re S.B., supra, 164 Cal.App.4th 289, appellants next argue that, in evaluating the parent-child relationship exception, “it is improper . . . for the court to rely on a belief the relatives will maintain the children’s relationship with [mother].” In In re S.B., the juvenile court “recognized that S.B. would benefit from continuing her relationship with [the father] and based its decision to terminate parental rights in part on the grandparents’ willingness to allow [the father] to continue to visit S.B.” (Id. at p. 300.) The appellate court concluded that a parent should not be “deprived of a legal relationship with his or her child on the basis of an unenforceable promise of future visitation by the child’s prospective adoptive parents.” (Ibid.)

We agree that in this case, as in In re S.B., the juvenile court injected an improper factor into the weighing process, namely, the prospective adoptive parents’ willingness to allow the children to have continued contact with mother. It is important to remember that once the legal parent-child relationship is permanently severed by termination of parental rights, a substantial, positive emotional attachment between a child and a parent has no legal protection even if depriving the child of that attachment by disallowing contact would greatly harm the child. “In dependency proceedings, an order terminating parental rights is not only conclusive and binding upon the birth parents, but also effectuates a complete and final legal termination of the parental relationship. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.26. subd. (i); In re Angelia P. (1981) 28 Cal.3d 908, 915-916 [171 Cal.Rptr. 637, 623 P.2d 198]; In re Robert J. [(1982)] 129 Cal.App.3d 894, 904-905 [181 Cal.Rptr. 188].) The parent-child relationship enjoys no legal recognition after termination of parental rights. (In re S.B., supra, 164 Cal.App.4th 289, 300.)” (In re Noreen G. (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 1359, 1391 [105 Cal.Rptr.3d 521].)

We conclude that if a juvenile court determines that a parent has “maintained regular visitation and contact” (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(l)(B)(i)), that there is a “substantial, positive emotional attachment” between child and parent benefitting the child (In re Autumn H., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 575), and that the benefit from continuing that parent-child relationship in a tenuous placement “promotes the well-being of the child to such a degree as to outweigh” the benefit that child would gain from the stability and permanency of adoption (ibid.), then the parent-child relationship exception is established. In those circumstances, the court cannot nevertheless terminate parental rights based upon an unenforceable expectation that the prospective adoptive parents will voluntarily permit future contact between the child and a biological parent, even if substantial evidence supports that expectation. The purpose of the parent-child relationship exception is to protect the parent-child relationship when its continuation is more beneficial to the dependent child than a permanent plan of adoption and, in such case, a court cannot leave the protection of such a relationship dependent upon the hoped-for goodwill of the prospective adoptive parents.

We will remand to allow the court to reconsider, under the proper legal standard, whether the evidence establishes that the parent-child relationship exception applies.

3. Sibling Relationship Exception

An exception to termination of parental rights exists where a “court finds a compelling reason for determining that termination would be detrimental to the child” because “[t]here would be substantial interference with a child’s sibling relationship, taking into consideration the nature and extent of the relationship, including, but not limited to, whether the child was raised with a sibling in the same home, whether the child shared significant common experiences or has existing close and strong bonds with a sibling, and whether ongoing contact is in the child’s best interest, including the child’s long-term emotional interest, as compared to the benefit of legal permanence through adoption.” (§ 366.26, subd. (c)(1)(B)(v); see In re L. Y. L., supra, 101 Cal.App.4th at pp. 951-952.)

“Reflecting the Legislature’s preference for adoption when possible, the ‘sibling relationship exception contains strong language creating a heavy burden for the party opposing adoption. It only applies when the juvenile court determines that there is a “compelling reason” for concluding that the termination of parental rights would be “detrimental” to the child due to “substantial interference” with a sibling relationship.’ [Citation.] Indeed, even if adoption would interfere with a strong sibling relationship, the court must nevertheless weigh the benefit to the child of continuing the sibling relationship against the benefit the child would receive by gaining a permanent home through adoption. (In re L.Y.L.[, supra,] 101 Cal.App.4th 942, 952-953 . . . .)” (In re Celine R., supra, 31 Cal.4th at p. 61.)

In this case, both children testified to the importance of their relationship with their older sister C. The court recognized that they had been raised together for much of their lives and had shared common experiences. The court observed that the three siblings each testified to a close bond but they had not lived together for some time. The court stated that “[C.]’s current circumstances prevent her from being much of an emotional support to [C.B. and M.B.] She has been on the run since June 2009, has not been attending school, is reported to be pregnant, and has been unwilling to comply with any court orders to return to placement. Though the children all clearly love one another, it is difficult for the Court to conclude that ongoing contact with [C.] outweighs the benefits of adoption.” The court concluded that the parents had not established the sibling relationship exception.

Appellants assert that there is no indication in the record that “the stability and permanence that the children had with [their aunt and uncle] would be adversely affected” by implementing a permanent plan of guardianship rather than adoption. Even if the aunt and uncle could provide the children with a stable and permanent environment through legal guardianship, once the court has found it is likely the children will be adopted, “the court must order adoption and its necessary consequence, termination of parental rights, unless one of the specified circumstances provides a compelling reason for finding that termination of parental rights would be detrimental to the child.” (In re Celine R., supra, 31 Cal.4th at p. 53; see § 366.26, subd. (a) [“The procedures specified herein are the exclusive procedures for conducting these hearings . . . .”].)

Appellants further contend that the court lacked substantial evidence to support its finding that the benefits of adoption outweighed the benefit of continuing the children’s sibling relationship with their older sister C. The “366.26 WIC Report” indicated that C. had attended many of the visits with her mother and siblings between October 2007 and December 2008 but only irregularly due to conflicts with school and other activities. Since the children’s placement with their aunt and uncle in January 2009, there had not been regular contact between the children and C. and C. had not visited with them. It was also reported that C. had “not maintained phone contact with her siblings.” In fact, at the time the report was prepared, C.’s whereabouts were unknown. An addendum report, signed August 12, 2009, stated that C. “continue[d] to be on runaway status.”

When C. appeared at the section 366.26 hearing in late October 2009, her testimony confirmed that she did not talk with M.B. and C.B. much by phone. Thus, despite the strength of their feelings for each other, C. had been largely absent from the children’s lives since they had been placed with their aunt and uncle in January 2009. She had not lived with her siblings since they and she were taken into protective custody on October 19, 2007. Before the dependency, the children had previously lived with their aunt and uncle for over a year but C. had never lived with her brother and sister at her aunt’s house. There was no evidence that, if the children were not adopt