In Re Luke L.

This appeal considers the dilemma which a juvenile court in a dependency proceeding must confront when presented with requests to place minors so far away from their parent that reunification will be rendered difficult if not impossible.

Arleen L., the mother of the minors, appeals from a juvenile court order authorizing a visit in Illinois between Rasa-Lila (Christina) [1] and her cousins and placing Christina there, and from orders placing Luke and Tulasi with their aunt and uncle in Southern California. [2] (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 395; further unspecified section references are to that code.)

Appellant contends the juvenile court abused its discretion in authorizing the placement of Christina in Illinois and Luke and Tulasi in Southern California during the reunification period. Appellant also claims the placement order as to Christina violated the Interstate Compact on Placement of Children (ICPC). (Fam. Code, § 7900 et seq.) We agree with both of those contentions and reverse.

On December 11, 1992, petitions filed pursuant to section 300, subdivision (b) alleged six-year-old Luke, four-year-old Tulasi, and eleven-year-old Christina resided in an…