In re A.R. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Father A.R. appeals from a juvenile court order terminating his reunification services with his son, A. He contends the matter must be remanded for further proceedings because the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the court failed to comply with the inquiry and notice requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. § 1901, et seq.) (ICWA). DCFS agrees, as do we, that the legal requirements imposed under ICWA were not satisfied. Accordingly, we remand the matter solely to ensure compliance with ICWA and related state statutes. The remainder of the order is conditionally affirmed.

BACKGROUND

Because the sole issue on appeal is compliance with ICWA, we limit our summary of the facts to those relevant to that issue except as necessary for context. A. was born in September 2019. In March 2020, DCFS filed a dependency petition on behalf of A. under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivisions (a) and (b)(1).1 The

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

2 petition alleged that A. was at risk of harm due to violent altercations between father and…