In re Z.W. CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

Robert W., the father of Z.W. (born 2021), appeals from the juvenile court’s jurisdiction findings and disposition orders.1 However, the only claim of error Robert advances in his opening brief is that the juvenile court failed to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.) (ICWA) and related California law. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (Department) concedes the alleged ICWA errors, and it requests we conditionally affirm and remand for ICWA compliance. Accordingly, we conditionally affirm the juvenile court’s orders and remand for full compliance with ICWA’s inquiry and notice provisions.

Although Robert’s opening brief states that he “appeals from a disposition order (including jurisdictional findings),” he presents no argument the jurisdiction findings should be reversed.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Referral, Dependency Petition, and Detention In April 2023, the Department received a referral alleging neglect of Z.W., then 21 months old, based on alleged incidents of violence between Z.W.’s mother S.R. and the maternal grandmother. When interviewed, Robert reported S.R.…