In re Sebastian V. CA2/2

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. Facts1

Father and Merehilda C. (mother) have one child together—Sebastian V. (born January 2017). Mother also has two older children—Irvine G. (born July 2008) and Maritza G. (born October 2005)—by another father. Father and mother have a history of domestic violence and drug abuse; father physically abused Irvine; and mother suffers from psychiatric disorders.

II. Procedural Background and ICWA-related Facts

In March 2021, the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) filed a petition requesting the juvenile court exert dependency jurisdiction over Sebastian,

Because father’s only contention on appeal concerns ICWA, we limit our factual background accordingly.

2 Irvine, and Maritza. The Department alleged that (1) mother had been involuntarily hospitalized for displaying serious mental health issues, and (2) father had failed to protect the children from mother’s known mental condition; the parents’ conduct, the Department alleged, placed the three children at “substantial risk” of “serious physical harm,” thereby justifying the exercise of jurisdiction under Welfare and Institutions Code section…