Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services v. Marla D.

Marla D. (mother) and Dorian D. (father) appeal an order for informal supervision entered under Welfare and Institutions Code section 360, subdivision (b). 1 Mother and father contend the evidence is insufficient to support the finding their child was neglected within the meaning of section 300, subdivision (b), the juvenile court’s jurisdictional finding resulted in a *1253 miscarriage of justice and the issues raised are not moot. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services contends the juvenile court’s “dismissal” of the case under section 360, subdivision (b) deprives this court of jurisdiction to address the issues raised by mother and father. 2

We conclude it is appropriate to address the merits of mother and father’s appeals from the order for informal supervision. However, the evidence supports the order and no miscarriage of justice appears. We therefore affirm the orders of the juvenile court.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

1. Detention of the children.

On May 11, 2009, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) received a referral from the Women, Infants, and Children program. The program’s…