San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency v. Darnell H.

Darnell H. and R.H. (the parents) appeal an order in which the juvenile court assumed jurisdiction over their son, Marquis H., under Welfare and Institutions Code 1 section 300, subdivision (a), based on a risk of serious physical harm. The parents did not physically abuse Marquis, but seriously abused two of their grandchildren, L.M. and T.S., who were also *721 in their custody. The parents contend the statute is inapplicable because it allows jurisdiction based on “a history of repeated inflictions of injuries on the child or the child’s siblings” (§ 300, subd. (a), italics added), and Marquis and their grandchildren are not siblings. We conclude the parents have misinterpreted section 300, subdivision (a), and the quoted language is but one example of when the juvenile court may exercise jurisdiction based on physical abuse or the risk thereof. We also reject the parents’ challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. We affirm the order.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In September 2011 the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (the Agency) filed a petition on behalf of Marquis, who was then 10 years old, under section 300, subdivision (a). The…