In re M.C. CA4/3

FACTS

I.

OVERVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS

In July 2022, SSA applied for a protective-custody warrant for eight-month-old M.C. because Mother was incarcerated and Father’s whereabouts were unknown, among other reasons. The juvenile court granted SSA’s application and issued a warrant under Welfare and Institutions Code section 340, authorizing SSA to take custody of M.C.2 SSA later filed a petition under section 300 on behalf of M.C., alleging, inter alia, that the parents had unresolved substance abuse issues and that Mother had unresolved mental health issues and was currently incarcerated. The juvenile court sustained the allegations in SSA’s petition

1 M.C.’s father (Father) is not a party to this appeal.

2 Undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and

Institutions Code.

2 and later ordered M.C.’s removal, with reunification services to be provided to the parents. After a six-month review hearing, the court terminated reunification services because the parents had not sufficiently progressed in their case plans. At the subsequent permanency-planning hearing, the court terminated parental rights after finding that M.C. was adoptable.

II.

SSA’S ICWA INQUIRY

Early in…