In re E.C. CA3

I. BACKGROUND

Because the issues on appeal are limited to compliance with the ICWA, we dispense with a detailed recitation of the underlying facts and procedural history. The Department filed a dependency petition on behalf of the minor pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (b), (g), and (j), on May 22, 2023. At that time, the social worker asked mother whether she had any known Indian ancestry. Mother gave the social worker no reason to believe the minor was or might be an Indian child. J.C., father of the minor (father), could not be located but mother stated he did not have Indian ancestry either. Mother and father both appeared at the jurisdiction hearing on May 23, 2023. The court questioned the parents regarding Indian ancestry. Again, mother denied any Indian heritage. Father stated there was a possibility of ancestry through a tribe in Oklahoma but could not provide any further details. The court ordered the Department to follow up. Thereafter, father filed a parental notification of Indian status form (ICWA-020) stating a member of his family, E.W.C., is or was a member of a federally recognized tribe, and

2 that the paternal grandfather and the paternal…