In re K.F. CA3

BACKGROUND

A detailed recitation of the facts and non-ICWA related procedural history is unnecessary to our resolution of this appeal. The Department filed a dependency petition on behalf of the minor pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (a) and (b)(1). At the time, the minor lived with the paternal grandmother, who informed the social worker that the minor may be a member of or eligible for membership in the Cherokee Tribe. The Department reported mother denied any Indian heritage. Father’s counsel filed a Parental Notification of Indian Status form (ICWA-020) on father’s behalf but did not check any of the boxes or otherwise indicate whether father might have Indian heritage. The paternal grandmother stated the paternal great-grandmother was “1/16” Cherokee but “there is not enough blood for [father] to be registered with a tribe.” The paternal grandmother also stated the family had never lived on a reservation or received any services from the Tribe. When asked whether she could identify a specific Cherokee tribe, she stated she did not have any additional information. On May 19, 2020, the social worker contacted the Office of Tribal Affairs by telephone and e-mail and…