Conservatorship of Brandon S. CA5

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Appellant is the mother of Brandon S., a mentally disabled 30-year-old man. Appellant resides in San Diego, California. She was appointed his limited conservator in 2002. The conservatee has resided at Porterville Developmental Center (PDC) in Tulare County, California since November 2009. A court investigator expressed concern regarding appellant’s disruptive behavior at PDC, and wrote the court a letter requesting issuance of an order to show cause why appellant should not be removed as conservator. A court hearing took place on December 5, 2012, regarding the court investigator’s report. Appellant raised allegations that her son was raped 19 times while at PDC. The court took these allegations seriously and ordered the public defender to investigate the claims. A hearing was held on January 16, 2013, following the investigation. The court reviewed the investigator’s reports involving the allegations as well as appellant’s interactions with PDC staff.1 Representatives from PDC were present and prepared to testify about the allegations and appellant’s behavior. The public defender indicated that he interviewed the conservatee and reviewed other…