In re P.J. CA3

BACKGROUND

Because the issues on appeal are limited to compliance with the ICWA, we dispense with a detailed recitation of the underlying facts and procedural history. This family came to the attention of the Agency in June 2023 when the minor and her mother E. (mother) tested positive for amphetamine at the minor’s birth. At that time, mother completed a parental notification of Indian status form (ICWA-020) indicating she had no Indian ancestry. Father also completed an ICWA-020 form indicating the paternal great-grandmother I. had Cherokee ancestry. The social worker conducted a home visit at maternal grandfather P.’s home where mother lived. Maternal grandfather provided the names of maternal grandmother R. and step great-grandmother A. as possible placements for the minor. Those two relatives were subsequently assessed for placement, as was maternal great-aunt L. Father reportedly shared a room with one of the paternal uncles in the home of paternal grandmother C. At the June 12, 2023, detention hearing, father and mother were present along with other family members. Mother informed the juvenile court that she had Cherokee and “Blackfoot”2 ancestry and stated maternal…