In re J.S. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

Referral, investigation, and detention On June 5, 2019, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) received a referral that mother and her male companion, Casey P., had been arrested for vandalism and resisting arrest while J.S. was present. J.S. was taken into protective custody. Mother told the responding social worker that she belonged to the Seminole Tribe of the Cherokee Indians. When asked about her current status with the tribe, mother said she had

All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless stated otherwise.

2 traveled to Palmdale in order to speak with the Tribal TANF.2 Mother identified J.S.’s father as Justin S. but said she had not been in contact with him for several years and did not know how to reach him. Mother told the social worker she removed J.S. from school at age seven and teaches the child at home. J.S. had been diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia but was not currently taking any medication or receiving any services for those conditions. J.S. told the social worker she is Cherokee. The child said she was homeschooled by mother but was unable to spell her own name or…