In re E.G. CA4/2

BACKGROUND

This dependency action concerns two of father’s children: Ek.G. (born 2020) and

El.G. (born 2023). In January 2025 the department filed a dependency petition under

section 300 alleging father engaged in domestic violence against the children and mother,

that he has substance abuse issues, that he has mental health issues, and that mother failed

to protect the children.

Mother and father consistently denied any Indian heritage. Maternal grandmother

also denied any Indian heritage. There is no evidence in the record that the department

spoke to any other extended family members about the children’s potential Indian

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code. “In addition, because ICWA uses the term ‘Indian,’ we do the same for consistency, even though we recognize that other terms, such as ‘Native American’ or ‘indigenous,’ are preferred by many.” (In re Benjamin M. (2021) 70 Cal.App.5th 735, 739, fn. 1, disapproved on other grounds in In re Dezi C. (2024) 16 Cal.5th 1112 (Dezi C.).)

2 heritage, but also no evidence that the department knows of any other extended family

members.

The court held a contested…