Court Opinion

ID: 2682425
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-07-09 21:01:13.921806+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:40:53.859305
License: Public Domain

Filed 7/9/14 In re G.W. CA2/8
                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                     SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                 DIVISION EIGHT

In re G.W. et al., Persons Coming Under                              B248154
the Juvenile Court Law.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY                                                   (Los Angeles County
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND                                           Super. Ct. No. CK96898)
FAMILY SERVICES,

         Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                   ORDER MODIFYING OPINION
         v.                                                          [There is no change in judgment]

ANNA R.,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         GOOD CAUSE appearing, the opinion filed June 18, 2014, in the above-entitled
matter is hereby modified as follows:
         1.        The line above the caption which reads “DIVISION ONE” should be
                   deleted and replaced with “DIVISION EIGHT”.
         2.        The second sentence on page 1 that reads “D. Zeke Zeidler, Juvenile Court
                   Referee.” Should be deleted and replaced with “D. Zeke Zeidler, Judge.”
         There is no change in judgment.

________________________________________________________________________
BIGELOW, P. J.                   RUBIN, J.                   GRIMES, J.
Filed 6/18/14 (unmodified version)
                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                     SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION ONE

In re G.W. et al., Persons Coming Under                              B248154
the Juvenile Court Law.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY                                                   (Los Angeles County
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND                                           Super. Ct. No. CK96898)
FAMILY SERVICES,

         Plaintiff and Respondent,

         v.

ANNA R.,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. D. Zeke
Zeidler, Juvenile Court Referee. Affirmed.

         Cameryn Schmidt, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Appellant.

         John F. Krattli, County Counsel, James M. Owens, Assistant County Counsel,
Aileen Wong, Deputy County Counsel for Respondent.

                                       __________________________
       Anna R. (mother) appeals from the March 4, 2013 order sustaining a Welfare and
Institutions Code section 300 petition as to her daughters, G.W. and J.P. (the children).1
Mother contends she was denied due process and a fair hearing as a result of the
dependency court calling her as a witness.2 We affirm.

                 FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

       Mother married Bruce Kim in 1988, a year after she met him in high school.
Although mother did not file for divorce until 2012, they did not live as a married couple
for many years before that. Kim is not the father of Mother’s three daughters: A.R. (born
in 1996), G.W. (born in 2002) and J.P. (born in 2011).3 But mother and Kim remained
friends, so in 2001, when mother was pregnant with G.W. and having financial
difficulties, she and A.R. moved in with Kim. From 2003 through 2012, the family was
the subject of four referrals which the Department of Children and Family Services
(DCFS) found “inconclusive,” and three which were concluded as “unfounded.”4

1     All future undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, and all rule references are to the California Rules of Court.

2      Mother’s opening brief also included a contention that the placement order was
not supported by substantial evidence. However, we grant mother’s request for judicial
notice of a March 3, 2014 order returning the children to mother. In light of that order,
we find the challenge to the placement order moot. (See In re Anna S. (2010)
180 Cal. App. 4th 1489, 1498 [case is moot when it is impossible for appellate court to
grant the appellant effective relief].)

3      Mother had three older children. Her oldest son, Joseph, was killed in a car
accident when he was 20 years old. Mother put another son and a daughter up for
adoption because she was unable to care for them.

4      The “inconclusive” referrals were: (1) a June 2003 referral alleging mother was
absent and/or incapable of caring for the children; (2) an October 2003 referral alleging
emotional abuse by Kim; (3) a December 2007 referral alleging physical abuse of G.W.
by A.R.; and (4) a December 2007 referral alleging that Kim had sexually abused G.W.
The “unfounded” referrals were: (1) a December 2007 referral alleging mother was
absent and/or incapable of caring for the children; (2) a January 2008 referral alleging

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        Relevant to the instant proceedings is a December 2007 referral alleging that Kim
sexually abused then five-year-old G.W. The referral occurred after G.W. told mother
that Kim had ejaculated in her eye. Mother immediately reported the allegation to the
police.5 G.W. almost immediately recanted the accusation and Kim was never criminally
prosecuted. Nevertheless, mother moved out of Kim’s house and into maternal
grandmother’s home with G.W., who began seeing a therapist.6 But A.R., then 10 years
old, refused to leave and continued living with Kim until she left for college in September
2012.
        After moving out of Kim’s house, mother initially had no contact with Kim. But
when no official action was taken against him, mother began allowing G.W. to have
supervised visits with Kim because it was what G.W. wanted and mother felt G.W.
should have a relationship with the man she thought of as her father. Meanwhile, mother
became romantically involved with Cruz P. and in January 2011, mother gave birth to
J.P.. Mother began allowing G.W. to spend weekends with Kim, who gave G.W. the
attention she craved. In August 2012 mother filed for divorce from Kim.
        A November 2012 referral alleging maternal grandmother had slapped G.W. was
still under investigation on December 6, 2012, when DCFS learned that Kim was the
subject of a joint federal and local law enforcement investigation into child pornography
and child sex trafficking. The day before, various law enforcement agencies had
executed a search warrant at Kim’s home. Among other things, they found a number of
images on Kim’s computer of children with semen on their faces. Early in the morning
on December 6, a DCFS social worker, a detective from the Los Angeles Police

general neglect by mother; and (3) a November 2012 referral alleging that maternal
grandmother had slapped G.W. on the face.

5      Mother had herself been the victim of sexual abuse as a child – by an uncle and
later by her own mother’s (i.e. maternal grandmother’s) boyfriend.
6    G.W. obsessively pulled her eyelashes out and had been diagnosed with Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder.

                                             3
Department and a Homeland Security Special Agent went to maternal grandmother’s
home, where mother was living with G.W., to question them about Kim.7 Mother said
G.W. was asleep upstairs, but while mother was being interviewed, G.W. came
downstairs yelling, “Am I going to be able to see Bruce, are they going to stop me from
seeing him again?” G.W. was sent back upstairs, continued to text mother about seeing
Kim. Mother said that G.W. spent every weekend, from Friday night until Sunday or
Monday, at Kim’s home. G.W. seemed to enjoy spending time with Kim and never
reported any further sexual abuse.
       The police officer, social worker and special agent next interviewed G.W., who
became emotional when told that she could have no contact with Kim. G.W. denied that
Kim had ever sexually abused her or taken pictures of her without clothing. Regarding
the 2007 sexual abuse allegations, G.W. said that mother had misunderstood when G.W.
told her that Kim had accidentally sat on her and a button from his overalls poked her in
the eye. One-year-old J.P. was too young to make a statement, but appeared well
groomed and had no visible signs of physical abuse. G.W. and J.P. were detained that
day and placed with a maternal aunt. The social worker contacted G.W.’s therapist, who
said G.W. had not reported any new incidents of abuse. The social worker also spoke to
A.R., who said Kim never sexually abused her and she never witnessed Kim watching
inappropriate material on the internet.
       On December 11, 2012, DCFS filed a petition alleging that G.W. and J.P. were
dependent children within the meaning of section 300, subdivisions (b), (d) and (j). The
petition alleged that Kim sexually abused G.W. when G.W. was five years old and
mother’s failure to protect G.W. put G.W. and J.P. at risk (paragraphs b-1, d-1 and j-1);
Kim is the object of a child pornography investigation, mother allowed G.W. to live with
Kim on weekends, and doing so placed G.W. and J.P. at risk (paragraphs b-2, d-2 and j-
2). Following a detention hearing that day, the dependency court ordered the children
remain placed with the maternal aunt and uncle; mother was given twice weekly

7      Cruz P. did not live with mother.

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monitored visits. A jurisdiction hearing was set for January 30, 2013, then continued to
March 4, 2013.
       According to DCFS’s Jurisdiction Report, G.W. and J.P. were doing well in their
placement with maternal aunt and uncle. J.P. was too young to make a statement, but
G.W. told the social worker that she and J.P. were both enjoying spending time with their
aunt and uncle, and G.W. particularly liked the attention she was getting. Even so, G.W.
wanted to be reunited with mother. Although G.W. maintained that Kim never sexually
abused her, the special agent who interviewed G.W. believed that G.W. was in denial.
Mother admitted making bad choices and was committed to doing better. In a letter to
the dependency court, mother stated that she took immediate action in 2007, when G.W.
accused Kim of sexually abusing her. But a year and a half after the case was closed for
lack of evidence, she allowed G.W. to spend time with Kim when mother or A.R. was
also present. Over time, G.W.’s visits with Kim became more frequent and nothing gave
mother cause for concern. Since learning that Kim was being investigated, mother
realized she had “misjudged” Kim. She had ended all contact with Kim for herself and
her children.
       At the contested adjudication hearing on March 4, mother’s counsel stated that he
had no documentary evidence or witnesses to present. The court stated: “If you’re not
calling the mother, then I need a waiver. So let’s have the mother sworn and I’ll ask her
about the petition.” 8 Mother’s counsel did not object. Whereupon, mother was sworn
and briefly questioned by the court. Asked whether she believed Kim had sexually
abused G.W. in 2007, mother answered in the affirmative. Mother denied allowing Kim
unlimited access to G.W., but admitted allowing G.W. to visit Kim on weekends.
Mother’s counsel had no additional questions for mother. Mother’s counsel argued the
petition should be dismissed because mother did everything she should have in 2007;
even though mother personally believed that Kim sexually abused G.W., it was not

8      The waiver apparently referred to mother’s right to contest jurisdiction which she
would effectively be waiving by not testifying nor producing any evidence.
(Rule 5.682(e).)

                                            5
inappropriate for mother to allow G.W. to spend time with Kim after DCFS found the
allegations were unfounded and police decided not to file charges. The dependency court
sustained the petition, finding G.W. to be a person described by section 300, subdivisions
(b) and (d); and J.P. to be a person described by section 300, subdivisions (b), (d) and (j).
The children were placed with maternal grandmother and mother was given monitored
visits.9 At mother’s request, we take judicial notice of the March 3, 2014 order
maintaining jurisdiction but terminating the placement with maternal grandmother and
placing the children with mother on the condition that mother reside with maternal
grandmother or in other DCFS approved housing.

                                       DISCUSSION

A.     Mother Was Not Denied Due Process or a Fair Hearing by the Dependency
       Court’s Questions

       Mother contends she was denied due process and a fair hearing by the dependency
court’s “adversarial questioning of [mother]” at the jurisdiction hearing.10 Recognizing
that the court has the authority to call witnesses to elicit material facts, mother argues the
dependency court’s questions crossed the line into advocacy. We disagree.
       Due process requires actual fairness as well as the appearance of justice. (See In
re Jesse G. (2005) 128 Cal. App. 4th 724, 729 (Jesse G.) [minor was denied a fair trial in
delinquency proceeding where referee acted as both prosecutor and judge].) In reviewing
the mother’s claims of error, the dependency court’s judgment is presumed to be correct,
and it is mother’s burden to affirmatively show error. (In re S.C. (2006) 138 Cal. App. 4th
396, 408 (S.C.).)

9      G.W.’s and J.P.’s fathers were each given unmonitored visits. Neither father is a
party to this appeal.

10      DCFS contends mother forfeited the issue by failing to object at the hearing.
Because the issue involves mother’s due process rights, we elect not to rely on the
forfeiture rule. (See In re Gladys L. (2006) 141 Cal. App. 4th 845, 849.)

                                              6
       At a contested jurisdictional hearing, the court must determine whether the
allegations of the petition are true. (Rule 5.684(a).) The admission and exclusion of
evidence at such a hearing must be in accordance with the Evidence Code as it applies to
civil cases. (Rule 5.684(b).) Thus, in accordance with Evidence Code section 775, the
dependency court may call witnesses on its own motion “and interrogate them the same
as if they had been produced by a party to the action, and the parties may object to the
questions asked and the evidence adduced the same as if such witnesses were called and
examined by an adverse party. Such witnesses may be cross-examined by all parties to
the action in such order as the court directs.” (Evid. Code, § 775.) In S.C., supra,
138 Cal.App.4th at page 423, the court observed, “It is well within the province of the
judge to ask a witness questions, particularly when the judge is the fact finder. (Evid.
Code, § 775.)”
       Here, mother was not denied due process as a result of the dependency court
asking her questions at the jurisdiction hearing. Contrary to mother’s assertion, the
court’s questions were not unduly adversarial. The court asked mother just two
questions: (1) whether mother knew that Kim was alleged to have sexually abused G.W.
in 2007 and (2) whether, knowing that, mother allowed G.W. to visit Kim from Friday
night through Sunday or Monday. Both questions, which mother answered in the
affirmative, sought evidence which was relevant to a determination of whether the
allegations of the petition were true. Contrary to mother’s assertion in her Reply Brief
that the “closed-ended questions . . . did not allow [mother] any opportunity to explain,”
we do not understand the question in that light. Mother’s counsel also had the
opportunity to elicit additional testimony from mother, but elected not to do so.
       Mother’s reliance on Jesse G., supra, 128 Cal. App. 4th 724, is misplaced. In
Jesse G., the county filed a petition alleging that the minor came within the provisions of
section 601 relating to habitual disobedience or truancy. (Id. at p. 727.) At the
adjudication hearing, the deputy district attorney stated that the district attorney’s office
did not handle such matters; the deputy district attorney and the minor’s counsel agreed
that it was the referee’s duty to inquire of the mother what she had done to remove the

                                               7
incorrigibility. (Ibid.) After questioning the mother, the referee sustained the petition.
On appeal, the minor contended he had been denied due process and a fair hearing
because the referee improperly assumed the function of an advocate. (Id. at p. 729.) The
appellate court agreed, observing that the “dual obligations placed on the referee here
violated [the minor’s] constitutional right to procedural due process. [Citations.] . . .
Justice is better served by requiring counsel or a trained representative to appear on the
petitioner’s behalf. [Citations.]” (Id. at pp. 730-731.) Jesse G. is inapposite because in
the present case, DCFS was represented by County Counsel who prosecuted the matter.
Thus, the procedural anomaly in Jesse G., a delinquency case, was not present here.
       Also unavailing is mother’s argument that “the due process violation was
compounded by the fact that the court never advised [mother] of her right to assert the
privilege against self-incrimination.” Rule 5.548(a) requires the court to advise the
witness of the privilege against self-incrimination and of the possible consequences of
testifying “if . . . it appears to the court that the testimony or other evidence being sought
may tend to incriminate the witness.” Here, nothing suggests that mother was herself the
subject of any criminal investigation. The Homeland Security Special Agent
investigating Kim told the social worker that there were no allegations against mother.
Thus, there was no reason for the court to believe that mother’s testimony would tend to
incriminate her. In any case, in In re Amos L. (1981) 124 Cal. App. 3d 1031, 1039, the
court held that compelling a mother to testify without admonishing her of her privilege
against self-incrimination was not error in light of section 355.1, subd. (f), which
specifically prohibits testimony by a parent in a section 300 proceeding from being
admitted into evidence in any other action or proceeding. Although there is some
contrary authority (see In re Mark A. (2007) 156 Cal. App. 4th 1124 [error to impose
evidence sanction against father, who invoked the privilege against self-incrimination]),
mother never invoked her right against self-incrimination, the questions on their face
were not incriminatory, and mother’s counsel had no objection to the court’s questions.

                                               8
                                 DISPOSITION

    The order declaring G.W. and J.P. dependent children is affirmed.

                                            RUBIN, J.
WE CONCUR:

          BIGELOW, P. J.

          GRIMES, J.

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