In re M.B. CA2/8

INTRODUCTION

Tanya V. (mother) appeals from a dependency court judgment awarding mother and Martin B. (father) joint legal custody of M.B. (child). Mother contends that the court abused its discretion in awarding joint custody because (1) the court improperly presumed that joint legal custody was favored over sole custody; (2) father had not complied with his case plan; and (3) the court failed to inquire about a criminal protective order that may have been in effect and that could have affected the court’s custody ruling. We conclude the juvenile court applied the correct “child’s best interest” legal standard and did not abuse its discretion in granting joint legal custody to the parents. Accordingly, we affirm.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

1. The Domestic Violence Incident On August 27, 2023, law enforcement arrested father and charged him with inflicting corporal injury to, and false imprisonment of, mother. According to the police report, mother was about to leave the house with child when father put her in a headlock, slammed her to the ground, and began assaulting her. Law enforcement observed redness on mother’s neck, a scratch on mother’s forearm, and a scratch on…