Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00436/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00436-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District
Defendant
Daisy Bueno
Plaintiff
S.B.
Plaintiff

Document Text:

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Daisy Bueno, individually and as guardian ad 

litem of S.B., a minor,

Plaintiffs,

v.

Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School 

District,

Defendant.

CASE NO.: 1:21-cv-00436-HBK

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 

APPOINT GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR 

MINOR PLAINTIFF S.B.

Doc. No. 2.

Pending before the Court is Plaintiffs’ Complaint asserting causes of action under Section 

504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and for attorney’s 

fees pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1415, against Defendant Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School, 

filed on March 16, 2021. (Doc. No. 1). Plaintiff S.B., a minor child, accompanied the 

Complaint with a motion seeking appointment of his mother, Daisy Bueno, as his guardian ad 

litem. (Doc. No. 2).

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17 provides for a representative of a minor to sue or defend 

on a minor’s behalf. Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c). This requires the court to take whatever measures it 

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deems appropriate to protect the interests of the individual during the litigation. United States v. 

30.64 Acres of Land, More or Less, Situated in Klickitat Cty., State of Wash., 795 F.2d 796, 805 (9th 

Cir. 1986). The appointment of the guardian ad litem is more than a mere formality. Id. The 

“guardian ad litem is authorized to act on behalf of his ward and may make all appropriate decisions 

in the course of specific litigation.” Id. The “guardian ad litem need not possess any special 

qualifications,” but must “be truly dedicated to the best interests of the person on whose behalf he 

seeks to litigate.” AT&T Mobility, LLC v. Yeager, 143 F.Supp.3d 1042, 1053-54 (E.D. Cal. 2015)

(citations omitted). The guardian ad litem cannot face an impermissible conflict of interest with the 

ward and courts consider the candidate’s “experience, objectivity, and expertise,” along with the

previous relationship with the ward. 143 F.Supp.3d at 1054 (citations omitted). 

“[W]hen a parent brings an action on behalf of a child, and it is evident that the interests of

each are the same, no need exists for someone other than the parent to represent the child’s interests 

under Rule 17(c).” Gonzalez v. Reno, 86 F.Supp.2d 1167, 1185 (S.D. Fla.), aff’d sub nom. Gonzalez 

v. Reno, 212 F.3d 1338 (11th Cir. 2000). While a parent is generally appointed as guardian ad litem, 

there are situations where the best interests of the minor and the interests of the parent conflict. 

Anthem Life Ins. Co. v. Olguin, No. 1:06-CV-01165 AWINEW, 2007 WL 1390672 at *2 (E.D. Cal. 

May 9, 2007). Therefore, a parent is not entitled as a matter of right to act as guardian ad litem for 

the child. Id.

The court has considered the application of Daisy Bueno for appointment as guardian ad 

litem for S.B. Daisy Bueno is a party to the instant action, suing individually, along with S.B., 

concerning issues S.B. has allegedly encountered with provision of education and resources. 

According to the Complaint, S.B. has a diagnosis of Trisomy-5p, a rare genetic disorder. Doc. Nos. 

1 at 3; 1-1. Among other medical complications, S.B. has a seizure disorder, developmental delays,

intellectual disability, and as of late, will require a breathing tube. Id. at 6-7. Daisy Bueno is the 

natural mother of the minor Plaintiff S.B. Upon review of the pleadings, the court does not find any 

apparent conflict of interest or any other factors that demonstrate such appointment is not in the best 

interests of the minor. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

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1. Plaintiff S.B.’s “Petition for Guardian ad Litem” is GRANTED; and 

2. Daisy Bueno is appointed as Plaintiff S.B.’s guardian ad litem. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 18, 2021 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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