In re E.F. CA4/2

I.

INTRODUCTION

Appellant T.F. (Father) appeals the juvenile dependency court’s sua sponte

permanent restraining order (PRO) against Father, protecting respondent K.J.F. (Mother)

and their four adopted children: E.F. (age 14), K.F. (age 13), J.F. (age 12), and A.F. (age

10) (collectively, the children). Father contends the PRO, issued on March 29, 2023, was

an abuse of discretion because there was insufficient evidence to support it. Father

therefore requests this court to dismiss the PRO or, at a minimum, dismiss it as to the

children. The County and Mother urge this court to affirm the PRO. We conclude

substantial evidence supports the PRO and affirm it as to both Mother and the children.

II.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In September 2021, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family 1 Services (DCFS) filed a Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 petition alleging that

Father’s mental health and the parents’ history of domestic violence placed the children

1 Unless otherwise noted, all statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 at risk of harm. The petition alleged that on July 27, 2021, Father “brandished a gun at . .

.…