In re Korey C. CA2/2

FACTS

The minor was born in January 2006. From February 2007 to January 2008, father was given family reunification services and family maintenance services in connection with the minor. A court granted father custody of the minor and terminated the case with a family law order. The Department of Children and Family Services (Department) received a referral regarding an incident on October 14, 2011. While Javon was riding on a bus with his mother, J.E., and father, father hit Javon in the mouth when he asked for a snack. It caused his lip to bleed. A social worker interviewed the minor and Javon. They stated that father regularly hit them. When father was interviewed, he denied hitting or grabbing Javon on the bus, and he denied using any form of physical discipline. The social worker was unable to interview mother since her whereabouts were unknown; but, it was known that there had been prior referrals on the family and that mother had an extensive criminal history. The Department filed a petition on behalf of the minor pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (a), (b), and (j) It alleged, inter alia, that the minor was at risk of physical harm because father struck him with his…