Gaurdianship of L.A.T. CA4/2
Opinion
Opinion
BACKGROUND
In August 2019, Patricia petitioned for guardianship of her daughter’s four
children, including Connie, who was the youngest at three years old. Gonzalo is alleged
to be Connie’s father and not the father of Connie’s three older half-brothers. The
guardianship petition concerning Connie’s half-brothers is not at issue in this appeal.
Patricia alleged that her daughter, the children’s mother (mother), was mentally
unstable, had become dangerous to herself, and was unable to provide food, clothing, and
shelter for the children. The preceding month, Patricia served mother with a notice of
2 eviction. Patricia alleged that in July 2019 mother had been placed on a hold in a mental
health institution.
In September 2019, Gonzalo objected to the guardianship, claiming that he had
been a part of Connie’s life from her birth and that he shared joint custody of Connie
based on a mutual, nonjudicial agreement with mother.1 He claimed that Connie had
been living with him for the two months since Patricia evicted mother.
The same day that Gonzalo filed his objection, the court referred the matter to an
investigator for investigation and a report.