In re B.M. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

I. Probate Legal Guardianship

Minors’ mother died in 2015. Sophia, a maternal relative, was granted a probate legal guardianship of minors in 2017.

II. Section 300 Dependency Petition

On October 8, 2019, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received a referral alleging that Sophia physically abused minors. Minors were detained in foster care on the same day.

1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 Two days later, on October 10, 2019, DCFS filed a dependency petition seeking the juvenile court’s exercise of jurisdiction over minors pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (a) (serious physical harm) and (b)(1) (failure to protect). The petition alleged that Sophia physically abused minors by striking their heads and arms with hangers; told minors to give false information to the investigating social worker; and left minors alone without adult supervision for extended periods of time.

III. Detention Hearing

At the detention hearing on October 15, 2019, the juvenile court found that a prima facie showing had been made that minors were persons described by section…