In re Cheyenne C. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

D.C. (Father) appeals jurisdictional and dispositional orders of the juvenile court maintaining jurisdiction over his daughter, Cheyenne C. (born in May 2000), and removing her from his custody. Because we conclude that substantial evidence supports the juvenile court’s findings that Cheyenne should remain in her mother’s custody and that continuing dependency jurisdiction was required to safeguard Cheyenne’s well- being, we affirm the juvenile court’s orders.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. Initiation of Dependency Proceedings

Cheyenne is the child of Father and Miriam S. (Mother). On October 19, 2012, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigated a referral alleging that Mother emotionally abused 12-year-old Cheyenne and 16-year-old Sydney, and that there was ongoing conflict and physical abuse between Mother and Father, who had been separated for six years and divorced for two years. The parents had joint legal and physical custody of the girls, but both girls lived with Mother. When interviewed, Cheyenne, Sydney, and Mother all reported that Father was verbally abusive, calling them fat and worthless. Both…