In re A.P. CA4/2

FACTS

The Department took Minor into its custody after Mother was arrested during a

traffic stop; Minor was not removed pursuant to a protective custody warrant. While his

case progressed, Minor was in the care of his maternal great-aunt and great-uncle (Aunt

and Uncle). While in their care, Minor maintained “bonds with his maternal relatives.”

Minor told a Department social worker that he wanted to live with his half-brother

(Brother) and their shared maternal grandfather (Grandfather) in Missouri. Grandfather

adopted Brother in 2023.

As the hearing to consider terminating parental rights approached, the

Department placed Minor in Grandfather’s custody. Grandfather intends to adopt

Minor. Aunt and Uncle volunteered to adopt Minor if, for some unforeseen

1 All subsequent statutory references will be to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 circumstance, Grandfather did not adopt. Mother, Grandfather, Minor’s maternal step-

grandmother, and Aunt and Uncle denied having Native American ancestry.

Mother identified R.J. as Minor’s father. R.J. told a Department social worker

that a paternity test had been conducted years earlier and he is not…