In re L.K. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

The juvenile court exercised jurisdiction over L.K., the child of L.M. (mother)1 and M.K. (father), under Welfare and Institutions Code2 section 300, subdivisions (a) and (b). It found L.K. was at risk of harm due to father’s physical abuse of L.K., violent conduct toward mother, and alcohol abuse, as well as mother’s failure to protect L.K. from father’s conduct. Subsequently, the court removed L.K. from father under section 361, subdivision (c)(1) and placed her with mother under the supervision of the Department of Children and Family Services (the Department). It ordered father to participate in enhancement services and granted him monitored visits in a therapeutic setting. On appeal, father contends: (1) the jurisdictional findings regarding his physical abuse of L.K., his infliction of domestic violence on mother, and his alcohol abuse are unsupported by substantial evidence; (2) removal was unwarranted because reasonable alternatives to removal were available to protect L.K. if she were returned to father; (3) the juvenile court abused its discretion by including certain services in his court-ordered case plan; and (4) the court improperly delegated its…