In re Gustavo L. CA4/1

INTRODUCTION

This case involves now-nine-year-old Gustavo L., Jr. (Jr.), who was removed from

the care of his mother, Cynthia V. (mother), in April 2012 as a result of mother's attempt

to smuggle drugs from Mexico into the United States while Jr. was in the car with her.

Mother was arrested. Jr.─who was born in Colton, California─and mother had moved

around in California, Nevada, and Mexico. Their most recent residence was Tijuana,

Mexico, but they only lived there for four months prior to mother's arrest. Jr.'s presumed

father, Gustavo L., Sr. (father), is a Mexican national who had been deported from San

Bernardino County to Mexico in 2007 as a result of drug possession and domestic

violence convictions and now resides in Tijuana with Jr.'s six siblings. Both parents have

criminal histories.

Father appeals (1) the juvenile court's July 9, 2012 order taking "full jurisdiction"

over this case, and (2) the court's December 4, 2013 order suspending father's visitation

with Jr. He contends (1) the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction under the Uniform

Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) (Fam. Code,1 § 3400…