In re Christopher F. CA2/1

BACKGROUND

Eduardo is the presumed father of Christopher (born in August 2004). Christopher’s mother is A.P (mother). Eduardo has three children younger than Christopher, and mother has two other children, Aliana L. born in 2007 and Dominic P. (Junior) born in 2012. Until these proceedings were initiated, Christopher lived with mother, Junior’s father (Dominic P., Sr.), and his younger half-siblings. This appeal involves only Christopher, the sole question being whether the juvenile court erred in refusing to place Christopher with Eduardo.

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) became involved on April 25, 2021, based on a referral alleging that Dominic Sr. had physically abused Christopher. Christopher’s maternal aunt (Myra O.) reported that another maternal aunt (Diana M.) received a voicemail message from Christopher that Dominic Sr. and Christopher’s mother had been involved in a physical confrontation and that Dominic Sr. had punched Christopher in the stomach. Diana picked up Christopher and he was (and still is) staying with his maternal grandmother. The only charges against Eduardo were that he knew about mother’s violent conduct, and about Dominic Sr.’s…