Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services v. Jesus H.
Opinion
lead Opinion
Vogel, J.
A baby bom to a drag addicted mother and an “identity unknown” father became a dependent of the juvenile court and was placed in foster care. Eight months later, the “alleged” father learned of the baby’s existence, went to see the social worker, appeared in court as directed, asked for a paternity test, and stated his desire to support and care for the child he believes is his. The dependency court, determined to proceed as planned before the man’s appearance, denied the request for a paternity test and terminated parental rights as to the “identity unknown” father as well as the man who appeared in court. We reverse.
FACTS
A.
Gladys V. has four children, the youngest of whom (Baby Boy V.) is the subject of this appeal. The two oldest children, Richard V. (bom in May 1999) and Alexa V. (bom in November 2000), have the same father, Lorenzo A. Gladys K. (bom in December 2002) has a different father (Anthony K.). Four *1111 hours after Baby V. was bom (in February 2005), Gladys V. walked out of the hospital after telling a social worker she knew the baby would be taken by the Department of Children and Family Services because the other three children were then dependents…