In re Jonathan C.M.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Jonathan was born in 2003. It is undisputed that he began displaying symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and other mental health and developmental conditions as a very young child and that he suffered a chaotic childhood characterized by neglect, abuse, and homelessness. Jonathan has been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, mood disorder, and tic disorder, and he has an extensive history with the dependency and juvenile delinquency systems. As a minor, he was placed in various foster care group homes and ran away multiple times. In December 2020, Jonathan (already a dependent of the juvenile court) pleaded no contest to two counts of assault by means of force likely to

1 Further undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 produce great bodily injury. The juvenile court committed him to the Youthful Offender Treatment Program (YOTP) in juvenile hall. In December 2021, the probation department (probation) requested authority to release Jonathan to home supervision for the last phase of the YOTP. Probation noted that Jonathan was eligible for extended foster cares services and informed the…