In re M.R. CA2/8
Opinion
Opinion
INTRODUCTION
Both parents appeal the juvenile court’s order terminating their parental rights to minors M.R. and J.R. K.V. (Mother) contends reversal is warranted because the juvenile court and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) failed to satisfy the initial inquiry requirements under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) (25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.) and related California law (Welf. & Inst. Code,1 § 224 et seq.). W.R. (Father) contends the juvenile court erred when it terminated his parental rights “in the absence of a valid finding of detriment.” Father also argues that the juvenile court erred in finding the beneficial relationship exception to adoption did not apply. We agree with Mother that DCFS did not properly discharge its statutory duty of initial inquiry. We disagree with Father’s contentions. We conditionally reverse and remand with directions to the juvenile court to order DCFS to ask extended family members about the children’s possible Indian heritage under ICWA. We affirm the juvenile court’s findings and orders in all other respects.