In re Joseph C. CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

A mother and father appeal from the dependency court‘s termination of their parental rights as to their son, following a five-year history of both parents‘ failure to address the sexual abuse and domestic violence that had led to his removal from their custody. The mother also challenges the dependency court‘s summary denial of her petition for modification of the court‘s prior orders. We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL SUMMARY

In September 2008, on behalf of Joseph C. (then 3 years old) and Justine C. (then 14), the Department of Children and Family Services (Department) filed a petition pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivisions (a), (b), (d) and (j), alleging their parents Roberto C. and Josephine C. had a 14-year history of domestic violence, including physical and sexual assaults by Roberto against Josephine; Roberto had physically abused Joseph and Justine, striking their faces and kicking them; Josephine had failed to protect the children from their father‘s abuse; Roberto had sexually abused Justine by fondling her breasts and vaginal area as well as digitally penetrating her; and Joseph was at risk of harm as a result of Roberto‘s…