In re J.T. CA3

FACTS AND HISTORY OF THE PROCEEDINGS

A Butte County wardship petition alleged: “On or about and between April 23, 2019 and July 10, 2021 . . . the crime of CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 288.5(a), a felony, was committed by [the minor who] did unlawfully engage in three and more acts of ‘substantial sexual conduct,’ as defined in Penal Code Section 1203.066(b), and three and more ‘lewd and lascivious acts’, as defined in Penal Code Section 288, with E.[L.]C., age 9, a child under the age of 14 years, while [the minor] resided with, and had recurring access to E.[L.]C., age 9, the child.” (Bold omitted.) At the March 23, 2022, contested jurisdictional hearing on these allegations, the People presented the testimony of E.L.C., E.W.C., and their mother, Elizabeth C. According to Elizabeth C., E.L.C. was diagnosed with learning disabilities, including an auditory processing problem that interferes with her ability to understand and respond to questions. Her disability also made it difficult for her to remember specific dates, for example, E.L.C. would know the month of her birth, but not the specific date. The

2 allegations covered a period…