In re Joseph W. CA2/3

INTRODUCTION

T.W. (father) appeals from the juvenile court’s disposition orders declaring his two minor children dependents of the court and removing them from his custody after it found he physically abused both children. On appeal, father argues insufficient evidence supports the court’s removal orders or, in the alternative, the court abused its discretion when it awarded him monitored visits with the children. While this appeal was pending, the court returned the children to father’s custody, rendering father’s challenge to the removal and visitation orders moot. We therefore dismiss the appeal.

BACKGROUND

Father has two minor sons, Joseph and Elias.1 In November 2020, the Department of Children and Family Services (Department) filed a dependency petition on the children’s behalf under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivisions (a), (b), and (j), alleging: (1) father physically abused Elias by repeatedly hitting the child with a belt across the arms, back, and face and by striking the child’s face with his hand (a-1, b-1, and j- 1 allegations); and (2) father physically abused Joseph by striking the child’s buttocks, back, and legs with a belt (a-2, b-2, and…