In re M.G. CA5

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

In December 2020, five siblings, ages three through 15 years old, were taken into protective custody pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, former subdivision (b)(1) and subdivision (d),1 after 13-year-old I.G. disclosed sexual abuse by her stepfather, E.A.2 Over the course of this dependency proceeding, the two oldest children, H.G. and I.G., were placed with their father, H.C., and the middle sibling, A.G., was placed with her adult sister, Es. G. In May 2024, at the permanency planning hearing set for 10-year-old A.G., eight- year-old M.G., and six-year-old E.G. pursuant to section 366.26, the juvenile court became aware that Es. G. had sought placement of A.G., M.G., and E.G. from the outset of the case. The Fresno County Department of Social Services (Department) eventually placed A.G. with Es. G. after she required a new placement due to behavioral issues, but the record does not reflect that Es. G. was otherwise considered for placement. Following the hearing, Es. G. filed a section 388 petition seeking a change of court orders and placement of M.G. and E.G.3 After holding two additional hearings to address the issues and concerned…