In re E.H. CA4/2

INTRODUCTION

The juvenile court bypassed family reunification services for defendant and

appellant A.H. (father) pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 361.5,

subdivisions (b)(5) and (c)(3). Father contends the court erred in declining to order

reunification services for him under section 361.5, subdivision (c)(3). We affirm.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On April 25, 2023, the San Bernardino County Children and Family Services

(CFS) filed a petition on behalf of E.H. (the child), who was eight months old at the time.

The petition alleged that the child came within the provisions of section 300,

subdivisions (a) (serious physical harm) and (b) (failure to protect). Specifically, the

petition alleged that, while the child was in the care and custody of father and S.H.

(mother), the child sustained an unexplained physical injury described as an acute right

proximal femur fracture.

The social worker filed a detention report and stated that CFS received an

immediate response referral alleging physical abuse and general neglect.2 It was reported

that the child was admitted to the hospital after suffering a femoral fracture. It was

1 All further statutory references…