In re Nathaniel C. CA2/3

INTRODUCTION

Nathaniel C., born June 2007, is the biological child of Nancy G. (mother) and Luis D. (father). The juvenile court declared Nathaniel a dependent in December 2012, after mother pled no contest to allegations that she physically abused Nathaniel and failed to protect him from physical abuse by mother’s male companion. The court ordered Nathaniel placed in father’s custody, under the supervision of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (the Department). More than a year after Nathaniel’s detention, the court completed the mandatory status review hearing under Welfare and Institutions Code section 364.1 Despite undisputed evidence establishing that Nathaniel had been safely maintained in father’s custody for the term of the supervision, the court declined to terminate its jurisdiction, citing concerns that father unreasonably interfered with mother’s visitation with the child. The court ordered mother’s monitored visits to continue, until such time as the court was “satisfied” father would allow regular visitation if it terminated jurisdiction. Mother appeals from the section 364 order to the extent the court refused to grant her unmonitored…