In Re Pedro M.

Pedro M., the appellant herein, was declared a ward of the juvenile court (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 602) on May 20, 1997, after admitting that he had committed a forcible lewd act upon a child under the age of 14 years (Pen. Code, § 288, subd. (b)(1)), a lewd act upon a child under the age of 14 years (Pen. Code, § 288, subd. (a)) and second degree commercial burglary (Pen. Code, § 459). The court ordered him suitably placed subject to a variety of conditions of probation, including that he obey all orders of the court and probation officer, and that he “[cjooperate in a plan for psychiatric, psychological testing or treatment.”

Appellant was placed in the Rancho San Antonio sexual offender program on June 11, 1997, as recommended by the juvenile court, and was removed 18 months later for purportedly “refusing to comply with the treatment plan and staff.” A supplemental petition (§ 777, subd. (a)) was filed on December 14, 1998, alleging that the suitable placement disposition had been ineffective in appellant’s rehabilitation and requesting that he be committed to the California Youth Authority (the CYA). Following an adjudication hearing on February 4, 1999, the juvenile…