In re H.L. CA2/5

background relevant to that issue.2 Minor was taken into Department custody on February 19, 2017, after she disclosed mother had been hitting her with an

1 Further statutory references areto the Welfare and Institutions Code unless stated otherwise. 2 Minor’s alleged father, G.D., is deceased and is not a party to this appeal.

2 extension cord, leaving marks.3 Ten years old at the time, minor told the investigating social worker she would like to reside with her “Aunt JJ” who lives in St. Louis. Minor did not have the relative’s full name or contact information. According to the Department’s detention report, the social worker attempted to reach mother by phone the day the child was taken into custody, and left mother a message that the child was at the police station. Mother called the social worker back the next day, but mother refused to provide even basic identifying information and terminated the attempted interview by disconnecting the call. The social worker attempted a visit to mother’s address that same day, but no one answered the door. The detention report noted, “[t]here were no relatives or parent to interview as to the status of [American Indian] heritage at the…