Adoption of J.M. CA1/5

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Sergio and Jessica were married in 2007 and lived in the San Bernardino area, where their families also lived. Jessica gave birth to the minor that same year. In August of 2008, when the minor was 10 months old, the couple had an argument in which Sergio pushed Jessica and hit her in the face while she was carrying the minor. Sergio was arrested and placed on probation after being convicted of inflicting corporal injury on a

1 Further statutory references are to the Family Code unless otherwise indicated.

1 spouse or cohabitant under Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (a). Jessica obtained restraining orders against him.2 Between August 2008 and February 2009, Sergio visited the minor about once a month under Jessica’s supervision. During this period, Sergio gave the minor toys, clothing and diapers and provided Jessica with a total of about $1,000, which she used to pay off the couple’s debts. Sergio last saw the minor in February 2009, and in April 2009 his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to a year in jail in the domestic violence case. He did not send the minor money, cards or gifts while he was in custody, and Jessica did not…