In re V.G. CA3

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. In February 2022, the Agency detained the minor V.G. (then a newborn) and her half sibling A.T.2 (then nine years old) and filed a dependency petition pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (b) and (g). At that time, mother A.R. (mother) stated she had no known Indian ancestry and no knowledge of any family member with Indian ancestry.3 Father had not yet been interviewed, as he was being held in county jail on felony charges. The Agency reported there was no reason to believe the minor was an Indian child on mother’s side and it was unknown whether the minor was an Indian child on father’s side. Mother and father were both present at the February 24, 2022, detention hearing. The juvenile court asked both parents about possible Indian ancestry; both parents denied having knowledge of any such heritage. Mother’s counsel provided the court with the name and telephone number of maternal aunt J.R. The minute order filed after the hearing stated, “NO ICWA has been found.” Mother subsequently completed a parental…