In re K.L. CA4/2

FACTS

A. The Dependency Petition and Detention

The subject of this dependency is father’s one-year-old daughter, K.L., who was

living with her biological mother in April 2021 when she came to the attention of the

Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (the department) due to a

domestic violence incident between mother and her boyfriend, Jose. Mother and father

were not married. Mother had been with Jose for three years, and, at some point after

K.L.’s birth, Jose had taken a paternity test and learned he was not the child’s biological

father. In addition to K.L., mother was also caring for the child’s three cousins, all of

whom were under 10 years of age.

On April 3, 2021, the department received an immediate response referral

regarding allegations of general neglect. The report alleged that while they were driving

2 in the car with the children, Jose had hit mother and fired a gun out of the window. A

social worker responded to mother’s home to interview her about the alleged incident.

Mother—who had visible injuries to her face and arm—confirmed the domestic violence

incident. She said that as they were driving the previous evening Jose started a…