In re Z.H. CA3

BACKGROUND

Father and A.H. (mother) began an intimate relationship in late 2017, during which time they became the parents of minors Z.H. and G.H. (the minors). Both parents reported significant dysfunction in the home. Their relationship ended in late 2020 due to infidelity, but mother allowed father to remain in the home. Father was eventually removed from the home in early 2022. The parents have different opinions about what precipitated that removal. According to mother, in May 2022, minor Z.H. (then approximately three years old) began making statements about, and exhibiting signs of, having been sexually abused. Z.H. experienced significant distress when in father’s presence, and she ultimately identified father as the perpetrator of the abuse. According to father, Z.H. was exhibiting signs of abuse but it was the parents’ roommate, T.A. (the roommate), whom she implicated as the perpetrator. Father reported that Z.H. made allegations against the roommate in front of father and mother and to multiple members of father’s extended family. Father directed mother to have Z.H. examined by a doctor but an argument ensued, and mother accused him of sexually abusing Z.H. It was…