In re C.H. CA3

I. BACKGROUND

On October 2, 2019, Sacramento County Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services (Department) filed a section 300 petition on behalf of the newborn minor based on mother’s ongoing substance abuse problem. Mother refused to disclose whether she had Indian ancestry, but the social worker reported that prior records indicated mother did not have any known Indian ancestry. Father’s whereabouts were initially unknown so he did not appear at the detention hearing. The juvenile court ordered the minor detained and found no evidence parents had Indian ancestry. It also entered a no contact order between mother and father. Neither parent was personally present at the combined jurisdiction/disposition hearing. The juvenile court sustained the petition, adjudged the minor a dependent child of the court, removed her from parental custody, and ordered reunification services be provided to mother. Father came forward and was appointed counsel in December 2019. Thereafter, he filed an ICWA-020 form (Parental Notification of Indian Status) stating he was a member of the “Isleta” tribe. He also admitted to substance abuse and domestic violence and was provided reunification…