In re Ja.O.
Opinion
Opinion
BACKGROUND
Mother has five children: A.C. (age 14), K.C. (age 12), J.C. (age 12), Je.O. (age
8), and Ja.O. (age 6).
On October 20, 2021, CFS received an immediate response referral from law
enforcement as to all five children. On October 21, 2021, CFS detained all five children
pursuant to a detention warrant. K.C. and J.C. were placed on an emergency basis in the
foster home of their stepmother, Susan. A.C., Je.O., and Ja.O. were placed on an
emergency basis in the foster home of nonrelative extended family members Sara and
Devin.
On October 25, 2021, section 300 petitions were filed for all five children,
containing allegations of sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, and substance
abuse. Attached to each petition is a Judicial Council form ICWA-010(A) stating that
Mother was asked by a CFS social worker about the child’s Indian status on October 20,
2 2021, and provided no reason to believe the child is or may be an Indian child.1 Also
attached to the petitions for Je.O. and Ja.O. were forms stating that their father, R.O.,
when asked on that same day, provided no reason to believe the child is or may be an
Indian child.