In re E.L. CA2/6

FACTS

D.L. (Mother) is the biological mother of four children: E.L. (Child 1); E.R.O., (Child 2); L.O. (Child 3); and E.O.O. (Child 4). E.O. (Father) is the presumed father of Child 1 and the biological father of the other children. Aida R. met the children when her nephew became friends with Child 1. In 2014, Mother asked Aida R. to help her care for Child 4. By 2016, Aida R. was caring for all the children. When the children’s paternal grandmother tried to take the children from Aida R.’s home without her consent, Aida R. filed for guardianship. On January 10, 2017, Aida R. was appointed legal guardian of the children. Originally Mother visited her children several times per week. By early 2017, Mother was visiting only once or twice per week. In March 2017, Aida R. stopped the visitation out of concern for the children’s safety. Mother responded by petitioning to terminate the guardianship. Mother’s petition was denied, and she was allowed contact only in writing. Since July 2019, Mother has written to the children only twice. In January 2015, Father began a two-year term in the Ventura County jail. His mother brought the children on visits every other week. Further…