In re V.K. CA4/3

STATEMENT OF FACTS

I.

THE DEPENDENCY PETITION

In July 2023, Minors were taken into protective custody when V.K. was ten years old and M.K. was eight years old. A few days later, the Orange County Social Services Agency (SSA) filed a petition pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (a), (b)(1), and (c). The petition alleged, inter alia, that Father physically abused M.K. and that V.K. was at risk of physical abuse in Father’s care. According to the petition, M.K. reported Father struck him multiple times, grabbed him by the face or neck, and yelled at him after he spilled milk in June 2023. He was later diagnosed with a concussion, which was allegedly caused by or exacerbated by Father’s actions. M.K. reported Father threatened to kill his sister if he disclosed the incident to Mother. He also reported Father “‘always’” hit him, dragged him through his own vomit, and called him derogatory terms. V.K. reported witnessing the “spilled milk” incident in June 2023 and indicated Father had made “threatening gestures” to M.K. in the past. She also reported Father threatened to kill Mother’s significant other if Mother discovered the physical abuse. Finally, she claimed Father read her…