In re Eric L. CA2/2

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

This matter involves a young boy, Eric L., now aged four. On March 27, 2012, Eric and his younger brother, Steve F., then aged four months, were detained from their mother and Steve’s father. A section 300 petition was sustained on allegations the couple repeatedly engaged in domestic violence in front of the children and failed to protect them with proper restraints in the car. Ultimately, the court terminated parental rights as to both boys because mother and Steve’s father failed to satisfactorily complete their reunification case plans, and Eric’s father was whereabouts unknown throughout the proceedings.2 As of June 1, 2012, the boys were placed with their maternal grandmother (grandmother). Because mother was not allowed unsupervised contact with either child, grandmother was instructed on how to monitor visits. Grandmother agreed she would

All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code. Eric’s father is currently appealing denial of his attempt to reenter the proceedings. He contends he was in Los Angeles throughout the reunification period, but DCFS did not do enough to find him so that he could…