In re J.H. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Father Michael H. appeals from a juvenile court exit order under Welfare and Institutions Code section 362.41 assigning physical and legal custody of his two children, J. H. and G. H., to their mother, with monitored visitation for father. Father argues that the juvenile court failed to consider the children’s best interests, and the order was not supported by the evidence. We affirm. Father asserts the court’s findings regarding his drug abuse were unsupported, but the record includes ample evidence that father had unaddressed drug abuse issues and lacked insight into his mental health condition – a combination that contributed to a cycle of domestic violence in the children’s home. The juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in finding that the children’s best interests would be served by awarding mother sole physical and legal custody and ordering that father’s visits must be monitored.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The following is an abbreviated background summary, focused on issues relevant to father’s arguments on appeal. A. Detention J. H., born in February 2017, and G. H., born in February 2019, came to the attention of the Los Angeles County…