In re Juan M. CA2/3

INTRODUCTION

Father Juan M. appeals from the juvenile court’s order terminating its jurisdiction and ordering Mother to have sole physical custody of their two children, 12-year-old Juan and nine-year-old Juanita, and Father to have supervised visits with the children conducted by a paid professional monitor at Father’s expense. Father argues that the court abused its discretion in making the exit order because it relied on testimony from the children, who Father asserts had “limited ability to form an intelligent preference as to custody or visitation.” We affirm as substantial evidence of Father’s unresolved anger problems and the children’s reasonable fear of Father supports the court’s discretion in making this exit order pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 362.4.

FACTS2 AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The children were adjudicated to be abused and neglected by the juvenile court pursuant to section 300 in October 2012. The court sustained allegations that Father inappropriately physically disciplined Juan by choking him and striking Juan’s head with a fist, and threatening to harm Juan with a hammer. The court sustained allegations that Father inappropriately…