In re A.W. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Family Code section 7611 provides that a parent may be deemed a presumed parent if the parent “receives the child into their home and openly holds out the child as their natural child.” (Fam. Code, § 7611, subd. (d).) In the proceedings below, the juvenile court declined to deem appellant-father D.E. the presumed father of A.W. (born August 2007), finding he had failed to meet these requirements. On appeal, Father contends the court erred because the evidence established that he had received A.W. into his home and openly held her out as his natural child. Because substantial evidence supported the court’s finding, and Father’s evidence did not compel a different conclusion, we affirm.

STATEMENT OF RELEVANT FACTS

A. DCFS Investigates a Referral

In December 2019, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received a referral alleging that non-party mother Staci W. instructed 12-year-old A.W. to call a family friend to request

2 money, and to agree to permit the friend to molest A.W. in exchange. It was also alleged that Mother was a drug abuser, rendering her incapable of caring for A.W. and her two half-siblings, that Mother was…