In re R.F. CA1/4

I.

INTRODUCTION

In this juvenile wardship case, 15-year-old R.F. appeals a dispositional order committing her to an out-of-home placement in a group home. R.F. contends that: (1) her case should have been transferred to the dependency court; (2) there is insufficient evidence to support findings that she violated probation, and (3) the juvenile court abused its discretion by ordering the group home placement. We affirm.

II.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

A. Background In August 2012, R.F. was adjudged a ward of the juvenile court pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 602,1 after she admitted a misdemeanor commercial burglary in exchange for dismissal of other theft related charges. By that time, then 12-year-old R.F. had already accrued eight referrals to the county probation department and her guardian, great-grandmother Betty, had reported significant behavior problems. The juvenile court placed R.F. in an electronic monitoring program (EMP) and released her to Betty’s custody.2 In September 2012, R.F. was charged with two probation violations: (1) failure to comply with EMP; and (2) receiving a school suspension after attempting to take a cell phone from a…