In re T.J. CA2/1

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS BELOW

The family in this case comprises mother, father, T.J., mother’s 16-year-old daughter from a prior relationship, and mother’s and father’s five younger children. Although father was not T.J.’s natural parent, he had known her since she was eight months old and was her only father figure, beginning when she was eight years old. On June 28, 2013, T.J. informed a maternal aunt that in December 2012 she was sleeping in her bedroom with only a T-shirt on and awoke to find father between her legs rubbing her vagina. She kicked him and told him to leave, which he did, telling her not to inform mother. On June 25, 2013, father came to her room again and asked her to remove her panties. She refused and told him to leave, which he did, again asking her not to tell mother. The maternal aunt informed mother, who evicted father from their home. Three weeks later, mother permitted father to return to the home. She did not inform police, but installed cameras in the home and locked T.J.’s bedroom door at night, confining her there with her consent, when father was present. In September 2013, a second maternal aunt learned of the abuse and called police and the…