Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services v. Jacqueline C.

I. Introduction

Jacqueline C., who is the maternal aunt of Christopher B. and Zion B. and lives in Tennessee, appeals from a juvenile court’s supplemental order made pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code 1 section 387: denying her reunification services; removing the minors from her custody; and ordering the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the department) to provide permanent placement services for the minors. The aunt contends the May 31, 1995, dispositional order should be reversed because under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (Fam. Code, § 3400 et seq.) California courts should not have exercised jurisdiction on forum non conveniens grounds. We affirm.

II. Factual and Procedural Background

Christopher B. was bom on January 31, 1987, in California. Zion B. was bom on January 10, 1988, in California with dmgs in his system. The minors were declared dependents of the court pursuant to section 300, subdivision (a), because of neglect and the mother’s substance abuse problem which limited her ability to care for the two children. On March 16, 1988, the court ordered the minors suitably placed. Under the terms of the…