Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services v. Patrick E.

In this dependency case (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 300 et seq.), 1 Patrick E., father of three dependent minor children (Father), appeals from a judgment of the juvenile court. He challenges the court’s jurisdiction findings that he has a history of substance abuse, and that his current use of medical marijuana places the children at risk of harm. 2 Father also contends that the trial court, in its disposition order, has presented him with an untenable choice of either giving up his legal use of medical marijuana or not reuniting with his children. We find that the record does not support any of Father’s contentions, and we will affirm the judgment from which he has appealed.

*441 BACKGROUND

1. Detention

The minor children who are the subject of this case are Alexis E. (bom Feb. 1997; Alexis), Samantha E. (bom Jan. 2000; Samantha) and Elijah E. (bom Sept. 2001; Elijah). The children were detained by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) on December 9, 2007, when the Department received a report they were being emotionally abused by Father. After being detained, they were placed with their mother, Cynthia E. (Mother), who lives…