In re Sebastian H. CA2/1

BACKGROUND

I. Jurisdiction and Disposition

In March 2022, DCFS received a referral alleging domestic violence between Mother and Father. DCFS found the allegations against Mother and Father to be substantiated on the bases of emotional abuse and general neglect of their two children, Sebastian (then six years old) and Santiago (then three

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 years old). DCFS filed a “non-detain” dependency petition, meaning the children remained in Mother and Father’s physical custody. On November 29, 2022, the juvenile court assumed dependency jurisdiction over Sebastian and Santiago. The court sustained the following allegations under section 300, subdivisions (a) and (b): “[Mother] and [Father] have a history of engaging in violent altercations in the children’s presence. On or about 03-20-22, the mother repeatedly struck the father’s chest. Further, the mother prevented the father from entering the home by holding the door resulting in the father forcibly pushing the door open and forc[ibly] entering the home. The father struck the back of the mother’s head with the father’s hand. On or about 03-20-22, the…