In re Baby Girl G. CA2/3

INTRODUCTION

A.C. (father) appeals from the juvenile court’s order terminating his parental rights to his daughter, Baby Girl G. (the minor). The only issue father raises on appeal is that the Department of Children and Family Services (Department) failed to conduct an adequate initial inquiry under state law (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 224 et seq.)1 implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) (25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.) because it did not, despite being ordered to do so by the court, interview anyone on the paternal grandfather’s side of the family about the minor’s possible Indian ancestry. We conditionally affirm the order terminating father’s parental rights but remand the matter for the limited purpose of ensuring compliance with ICWA and related California law.

1 All undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and

Institutions Code.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

1. Proceedings Leading to Termination of Parental Rights2 In April 2022, the minor was detained from mother3 and father4 on allegations of general neglect after mother, who was homeless, gave birth to the minor under a bridge in Pomona. Paramedics transported the minor, accompanied by father, to…