CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

In this appeal, Miriam H. appeals from the dependency court’s orders declaring her four minor children dependents and removing them from her custody pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code sections 300 and 361. We affirm the court’s jurisdictional order but dismiss as moot Miriam’s challenges to the dependency court’s disposition and visitation orders.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL SUMMARY

In November 2012, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (Department) received a referral alleging physical and emotional abuse and general neglect of Miriam H.’s children. Miriam, Raul V. and Alejandro H. had attended a family court mediation the week before, and at that time, Miriam disclosed her children’s exposure to Alejandro’s domestic violence against her as well as his substance abuse in their presence. According to the Department’s detention report, Miriam and Raul had four minor children at the time: Vanessa V. (then 16), Ver. V. (13), Val. V. (11) and J. H. (5). Miriam and Raul had been married since 1992, and Raul was the biological father of the three older girls. From 2005 through 2012, Alejandro rented garage space from Miriam and Raul, and…