In re Nasir B. CA2/2

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2

During DCFS’s initial investigation into the family in March 2019, mother filled out a Parental Notification of Indian Status form (ICWA-020) stating that she is “or may be a member of, or eligible for membership, in a federally recognized Indian tribe” because her paternal grandmother (great-grandmother) was Choctaw. She provided a phone number for her father (grandfather). At the detention hearing, mother reported that great- grandmother was deceased and that she could not provide her

Nasir’s father is not a part of this appeal.

Because ICWA error is the only issue raised in this appeal, this summary of the factual and procedural background focuses on matters related to ICWA compliance. (In re I.B. (2015) 239 Cal.App.4th 367, 370.)

2 date of birth. The juvenile court ordered DCFS to contact grandfather “and inquire whether he has birth date information and further information regarding [great-]grandmother’s possible Choctaw nation heritage.” It then instructed DCFS “to notice the Choctaw nation[.]” At the jurisdiction and disposition hearing on May 1, 2019, DCFS reported that it had not been able to reach grandfather. Mother…