L. A. Cnty. Dep't of Children & Family Servs. v. Pedro M. (In re Bruno M.)

INTRODUCTION

*991 Pedro M. (father) appeals from the juvenile court's jurisdictional findings and dispositional orders declaring his children dependents of the court and *992 detaining them from his custody. Among other orders, the court issued a permanent restraining order that restricted father from contact with Evelyn S. (mother) and the two minor children. Father's sole contention on appeal is that the portion of the order protecting the children was not supported by substantial evidence because the children were "never in the line of fire" when he beat mother. We conclude the children were indeed at risk of physical harm and, in any event, father's lengthy history of domestic violence against mother and the parents' frequent reconciliations justify the minors' inclusion in the restraining order. We therefore affirm.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

The family in this case consists of mother, father, Bruno M. (born 2011), and Allison M. (born 2015).

1. History of Abuse

Father and mother met in 2009 and moved in together the following year. Father would go on to hit and push mother about three times a month for the rest of their relationship. Over the years, father inflicted bruises,…