In re E.P. CA1/2

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Background The following facts are taken from our two opinions in Father’s prior appeals. Minor has a rare muscle disorder that has required around-the-clock specialized care for several years. Father and Mother, who do not live together, shared physical and legal custody of Minor prior to this dependency case. In December 2019, Minor was hospitalized and doctors determined she needed a tracheostomy, but Father would not consent to tracheotomy surgery. On April 2, 2020, the Sonoma County Human Services Department (Department) filed a dependency petition alleging Father failed to protect Minor in that he “failed to provide . . . critical medical treatment for the child.” (E.P. I, supra.) At a hearing the next day, Mother’s counsel requested a no-contact order “given the disturbing nature of some of the communication [Mother] received from father.” (E.P. I, supra.) The court ordered the parents not to contact each other before the next hearing.

2 At the next hearing, the juvenile court extended the no-contact order for the parents and authorized tracheotomy surgery for Minor. Minor had the surgery in April 2020. She now has an opening at the neck to…