In re J.T. CA2/4

BACKGROUND

Because the sole issue on appeal is compliance with ICWA, we limit our summary of the facts to those relevant to that issue except as necessary for context. J. was born in April 2021 to father and mother, A.D. Father also has an older child, P. In June 2023, DCFS filed a dependency petition on behalf of J. under section 300, subdivisions (a), (b)(1), and (j). The petition alleged that J. was at risk of harm due to a history of violent altercations between father and mother in J.’s presence, culminating on June 17, 2023,

All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 when father “stabbed mother in the face and slashed mother’s neck, face, and wrist with a knife, resulting in the mother’s death.” Father was arrested and charged with murder the following day. J. was detained from father and placed in foster care. DCFS further alleged that J.’s half-sibling, P., was a current dependent of the juvenile court receiving permanent placement services due to the history of violence between father and his female companions. In the accompanying Indian Child Inquiry Attachment (ICWA-010(A)), DCFS checked the box…