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D.B. v. Superior Court of Humboldt County

Good Law
171 Cal. App. 4th 197
Court of Appeal of CaliforniaFebruary 26, 2009A123439California4,324 words

Opinion

Opinion

Needham, J.

D.B. (father) seeks extraordinary review of an order setting a hearing to develop a permanent plan for his son A.H. pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.452.) Father argues that the juvenile court improperly denied him reunification services and failed to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA; 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.). We conclude the court did not err in denying father reunification services, but we grant the petition to secure compliance with the ICWA.

I. BACKGROUND

A.H. was delivered by R.H. (mother) in July 2008 after she was rushed to the hospital following an automobile accident. He was two months premature (weighing just two pounds, four ounces) and tested positive for amphetamines and other drugs. Mother died of her injuries a few days later. Father was not married to mother but was identified as A.H.’s probable biological father.

The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) filed a dependency petition on August 1, 2008. Father was granted presumed father status on August 5, 2008. A.H. was initially detained at the hospital, where he continued to receive necessary medical…

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