In re Zachary R. CA2/8

BACKGROUND

1. The family and related superior court cases Father and Mother are no longer together, and they have identical twin children. Zachary R. is the only child subject to this appeal, and he was 16 years old when the juvenile court asserted jurisdiction. Zachary experienced psychosis and catatonia, both life threatening conditions, when the case came before the juvenile court. In addition to the dependency case involving Zachary, the family was simultaneously involved in mental health court and family court cases, which affected parental custody and medical authority to direct Zachary’s care. On May 30, 2024, Judge Maria Cavalluzzi of the mental health court granted the request of Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for an order for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for Zachary. Then on July 11, 2024, Judge Cavalluzzi granted an order for additional ECT treatment for Zachary. One month later, Judge Cavalluzzi again granted UCLA’s request for more ECT treatments for Zachary. On August 30, 2024, Commissioner Marilyn Mordetzky, presiding in family court, ordered Zachary released to Father’s custody upon his departure from…