Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services v. Fritz S.

INTRODUCTION

Fritz S., father of B.S., appeals from the 12-month review hearing (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.21, subd. (f)) 1 contending the court erred as a matter of law when it denied his request to have B. placed with him in Texas merely *248 because Texas authorities denied two notices under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) (Fam. Code, § 7900 et seq.). We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

1. The petition

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) received two referrals concerning B., then five years old, and his half siblings, Ramsey (11 years old) and Angelica (16 years old). The referrals included allegations that the children’s mother (mother) was using drugs and physically abusing the children, and together with her boyfriend, was emotionally abusing the children. 2 Mother explained to the investigating social worker that B.’s father Fritz had sexually abused Angelica when the family lived in Texas. Mother and Fritz were also in a custody battle over B.

The Department reported that Fritz had no involvement in B.’s life and had had no contact with the child in three years. Fritz is a…