In re J.F. CA3

FACTS

The minors, two-year-old J. F. and three-month-old I. F., were detained in May 2013 as a result of severe physical injury inflicted on I. F. while in his parents’ care. The detention/jurisdiction report stated father claimed Indian heritage through the paternal great-grandmother but he did not know if she belonged to a tribe. Mother also claimed Indian ancestry but did not have any information about it. At the outset of the case, the social worker became aware of the names of the maternal grandmother and the maternal great-grandmother. Both parents provided names of relatives for assessment for placement of the minors. The jurisdiction report filed in August 2013 reflected father’s claim, his limited information, and that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) had been contacted. The report also included contact information for the maternal grandmother, the maternal great-grandmother, the maternal great-aunt, and the paternal grandmother. The San Joaquin County Human Services Agency (Agency) sent notice of the proceedings to the BIA in July 2013. The notice included the names, birth dates, and address of the parents and the name of the maternal grandfather but no other…