In re E.T. CA2/8

INTRODUCTION

S.J. (Father), the father of minors E.T. and V.J., appeals from jurisdictional findings and dispositional order, declaring his children dependents of the juvenile court under Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 300, subdivisions (b) and (j). Father contends the evidence was insufficient to support each of the jurisdictional findings related to him. We conclude there was substantial evidence to support the findings that Father failed to protect the children from the risk of harm posed by Mother’s substance abuse, and on that basis, affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. Section 300 petition

Father and K.T. (Mother) are the parents of two girls: E.T., born in June 2020, and V.J., born in June 2023. Mother also has four older children from prior relationships. Mother’s four older children previously were dependents of the juvenile court due to Mother’s substance abuse, and Mother failed to reunify with each of them. In June 2023, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received a referral that both Mother and V.J. tested positive for cocaine and marijuana at the child’s birth. Mother informed DCFS that she initially went…