Conservatorship of B.C. CA2/6

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In December 2014, the Santa Barbara Public Guardian (Public Guardian) petitioned for appointment of a conservator of appellant's person and estate. (§ 5352.) The petition alleged appellant is a gravely disabled person, as defined in section 5008, subdivision (h), and is unwilling to accept or is incapable of accepting voluntary treatment. The Public Guardian was appointed as temporary conservator, and appellant was placed at the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) in Santa Barbara. A bench trial was held in February 2015. Appellant and his treating psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Mantz, were the only witnesses. Dr. Mantz is a team psychiatrist for the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, a division of the Santa Barbara County Department of Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services. Dr. Mantz began treating appellant in August 2014. Prior to his placement at PHF, appellant, who is 33, lived "on the beach" in Isla Vista. Although he obtained clothing from the "free box" in Isla Vista, appellant had no food reserves. Sometimes he would "stand in front of The Habit in Isla Vista and ask people for a hamburger." At one point, appellant was arrested for…