In re Z.B. CA3

I. BACKGROUND

In January 2022, the People filed a wardship petition alleging that Z.B. (then 14 years old) slapped L.V. on her buttocks after a high school class, and then later approached her from behind, choked her until she could not breath, punched her in the face and chest, and threatened L.V. and her family to keep them from reporting the incident. The juvenile court placed Z.B. on electronic monitoring. In February 2022, electronic monitoring was discontinued. In June 2022, Z.B. admitted felony assault and misdemeanor sexual battery. Z.B. was adjudged a ward of the juvenile court and released with an order to complete 24 hours of community service and sexual boundaries counseling. In November 2022, the People filed another wardship petition charging Z.B (now 15 years old) with felony grand theft after taking property (video game consoles) from Target and fleeing the store. Z.B. was again released and placed on electronic monitoring. In January 2023, the People filed a petition alleging Z.B. violated probation when he stole from Target. Z.B. thereafter admitted misdemeanor grand theft as a violation of probation. The juvenile court continued Z.B. as a ward of the juvenile…