A mother who does not have custody and is not receiving reunification services does not have standing to challenge the juvenile court’s termination of dependency jurisdiction of her 18-year-old daughter. The dependent minor, who had been in father’s custody, was removed because father neglected her schooling and psychiatric care. When the minor turned 18, she was informed of her right to continue as a dependent until the age of 21. She declined the offer, choosing to have dependency jurisdiction terminated so she could return to her father. The juvenile court terminated jurisdiction, and mother appealed, contending that the trial court failed to make a finding that termination of jurisdiction was in the minor’s best interests. The appellate court dismissed mother’s appeal because mother lacked standing. A mother who is not receiving reunification services does not have standing to appeal the court’s dismissal of dependency jurisdiction over an adult child simply based on her interest in the companionship of the adult child.
Case Summaries