In re Jaylen F. CA2/3

INTRODUCTION

T.G. (mother) appeals from the juvenile court’s order terminating her parental rights to nine-year old Jaylen F. under Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 366.26. She does not contest the merits of the court’s decision. Instead, mother argues the Department of Children and Family Services (Department) did not satisfy its duty of further inquiry under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.; ICWA) because it failed to ask her maternal great aunt about Jaylen’s possible Native American ancestry. We affirm.

BACKGROUND

An abridged statement of facts is presented because this appeal is limited to a single issue regarding compliance with

ICWA.

Mother has four children: Teanna born in 2002; Dylan born in 2007; Aaliyah born in 2008; and Jaylen born in 2012. All four children have different fathers. J.F. (father) is Jaylen’s father. Only Jaylen is the subject of this appeal; father did not challenge the termination of his parental rights to Jaylen. 1. Prior Dependency Proceedings Since 2004, mother has been involved in numerous dependency proceedings pertaining to Teanna, Dylan, and Aaliyah based on substantiated allegations of drug abuse,…