In re Wyatt D. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

I. The Family

Mother and father, who are divorced, are the parents of four children. Only two of their children—Wyatt and Shane—are still minors and the subjects of this appeal.

Father is also known as John L. We refer to Wyatt and Shane, collectively, as minors. Mother is not a party to this appeal.

II. Referral and Investigation

In March 2022, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received a referral alleging that Wyatt had choked and sat on Shane when mother had left the children home alone. As part of DCFS’s ensuing investigation, a social worker interviewed Shane and asked him about his relationship with father. Shane stated, “‘my dad has anger issues and sometimes breaks things’” and “‘my dad hits me in the stomach with a closed fist[.]’” Shane reported that father had previously “kicked him in the stomach and . . . spun him with both hands causing Shane to lose his balance and fall.” Father denied Shane’s allegations.

III. Exercise of Dependency Jurisdiction

On April 14, 2022, DCFS filed a dependency petition seeking the juvenile court’s exercise of jurisdiction over minors.4 At the adjudication hearing…