Court Opinion

ID: 2765420
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-30 19:02:33.586481+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:27:24.246707
License: Public Domain

Filed 12/30/14 In re Jason R. CA4/1
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

                    COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION ONE

                                           STATE OF CALIFORNIA

In re JASON R. II, a Person Coming Under
the Juvenile Court Law.
                                                                 D066426
SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY,
                                                                 (Super. Ct. No. CJ1167)
         Plaintiff and Respondent,

         v.

JASON R.,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from orders of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Gary M. Bubis,

Judge. Affirmed.

         Patti L. Dikes, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and

Appellant.
       Thomas E. Montgomery, County Counsel, John E. Philips, Chief Deputy County

Counsel, and Erica R. Cortez, Senior Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and

Respondent.

       Jason R. contends on appeal that the juvenile court erred in proceeding with a

jurisdictional hearing in his absence and that insufficient evidence supported the court's

jurisdictional finding. Jason also asserts insufficient evidence supported the court's order

removing his son, Jason R. II (J.R), from his custody because less drastic alternatives

were available. Finally, Jason contends the juvenile court abused its discretion by

ordering him to participate in substance abuse treatment. We affirm the orders.

                   FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

       The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (Agency) filed a

petition under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivision (b)1 on behalf of

J.R. when both J.R. and his mother, Ashley H., tested positive for amphetamine and

marijuana at J.R.'s birth. The staff at the hospital where J.R. was delivered also reported

that Jason and Ashley smelled strongly of marijuana and appeared to be under the

influence of the drug when they arrived at the hospital. When interviewed by the

Agency's social worker, Ashley admitted to using methamphetamine and marijuana

throughout her pregnancy, and that she had used methamphetamine as recently as two

weeks before J.R. was born. Ashley also did not receive any prenatal care.

1      All statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.
                                             2
        Jason was inconsistent in his statements to social workers about his own drug use,

first denying any use then admitting to using marijuana to deal with pain from a

dislocated shoulder. Jason was aware that Ashley used marijuana during her pregnancy

but claimed he did not know about her methamphetamine use. Jason's failure to react to

the news that Ashley used methamphetamine while pregnant raised concerns for the

hospital staff. Jason told the social worker that he did not think Ashley's drug use while

pregnant had a negative impact on J.R. Jason and Ashley also made odd statements to

social workers that raised concerns about their mental health. For example, Jason told the

social worker he was promised to go to heaven and Ashley told the social worker that

Jason knew when people were going to die because he saw them glowing before they

died.

        The social worker asked Jason to drug test three days after J.R. was born, but

Jason failed to appear for the scheduled test, telling the social worker the testing site was

closed by the time he arrived. Jason did drug test four days later and the test result was

negative. Neither parent attended the initial detention hearing because Ashley was

hospitalized for a medical condition. At the hearing, the court found that the Agency had

made a prima facie showing that removal was necessary and ordered that J.R. be detained

in a licensed foster care home or in an approved home of a relative. The court also

continued the hearing to the following day at the request of Ashley's counsel.

        Both parents appeared the next day telephonically. At the hearing, the court

appointed counsel for Jason, confirmed its orders from the previous day and ordered that

both parents receive liberal supervised visits and voluntary services. The court

                                              3
admonished Jason and Ashley to "keep the court, your attorney, and the social worker

aware of [their] current address and phone numbers." The court also described the

seriousness and potential consequences of the proceedings and both parents

acknowledged their understanding.

       The Agency's report for the jurisdiction and disposition hearing indicated J.R. had

been placed in a licensed foster home after he was discharged from the hospital and was

doing well. Ashley continued to have medical difficulties and was in and out of the

hospital. Jason was unemployed but was looking for work and helping to care for

Ashley. The Agency's social worker reported she had difficulty contacting Jason and that

Jason had told the social worker he doesn't check his voice mail because he doesn't have

time. Jason had not enrolled in any of the voluntary services suggested by the Agency.

       Jason and Ashley both attended the jurisdiction and disposition hearing and were

represented by counsel. Ashley contested the truth of the allegations of the need for

removal of J.R. and objected to the psychiatric or psychological evaluation that was

recommended for her by the Agency. Ashley's counsel indicated she anticipated calling

the social worker as a witness at trial. Jason's counsel joined in Ashley's request for a

trial date and added Jason as a possible witness. The court set a settlement conference in

a different juvenile court department and a later trial date in its department. The court

stated Jason and Ashley needed to be present both at the settlement conference and the

trial and explained that "[b]oth of you should understand that you need to be present at

that settlement conference. . . . [¶] It is important that you be present because the judge

could hold the trial at that time."

                                              4
       Jason and Ashley did not appear at the settlement conference and did not contact

anyone about the reason for their absence. The Agency's counsel stated that the social

worker, who was present, had spoken with the parents and had offered to drive Jason and

Ashley to court. According to the social worker, both parents were aware of the

conference and Ashley's grandmother was planning to drive them. The social worker

also had called Ashley, Jason and Ashley's grandmother the morning of the hearing, but

was not able to reach them. Ashley's counsel objected to proceeding with the jurisdiction

and disposition hearing after the settlement conference, stating that she did not have

authority to proceed on Ashley's behalf and that she was alarmed by Ashley's absence.

Jason's counsel stated: "I would join in [Ashley's counsel's] comments on behalf of the

father," but did not provide any independent reason for objecting to the court proceeding.

Neither parents' counsel indicated they planned to offer any evidence in addition to the

Agency's reports.

       The juvenile court then proceeded with the jurisdiction and disposition hearing,

finding that notice had been given and that J.R. was a child described by section 300,

subdivision (b). The court stated "obviously, if there's some unusual circumstance there

would be a motion to set this aside." The court declared J.R. a dependent, removed him

from Jason's and Ashley's custody, and gave the Agency authority to find a suitable

placement for J.R. The court further found reasonable efforts had been made to prevent

or eliminate the need for removal of J.R. from his parents' custody. The court ordered

                                             5
reunification services for both parents, including liberal visitation with the possibility of

unsupervised and overnight visits. Jason timely filed a notice appeal.2

                                       DISCUSSION

                                               I

       Jason contends that the juvenile court's decision to proceed with the jurisdiction

and disposition hearings in his absence after the settlement conference was a violation of

his due process rights. He further argues that the juvenile court lacked the authority to

proceed with the hearings because a local rule prohibits addressing the merits of a case at

a settlement conference.

       Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the

circumstances, to apprise interested parties of the pendency of an action and afford them

an opportunity to object. (In re Melinda J. (1991) 234 Cal. App. 3d 1413, 1418; In re

Justice P. (2004) 123 Cal. App. 4th 181, 188.) Due process is a flexible concept that

depends on the circumstances of the case and a balancing of various factors. (In re Earl

L. (2004) 121 Cal. App. 4th 1050, 1053.) Here, Jason had actual notice that the court

could proceed to the contested jurisdiction and disposition hearings after the settlement

conference if the case did not settle. Jason and his counsel were present at the initial

jurisdiction and disposition hearing when the juvenile court stated explicitly that if no

settlement was reached the court could proceed to the jurisdictional and disposition issues

2       Ashley has not challenged the jurisdiction and disposition orders and is not a party
to this appeal.
                                              6
on the date of the settlement conference. The court was clear that Jason and Ashley

needed to be present at the conference for this reason.

       Additionally, Jason was represented by counsel at the contested jurisdiction and

disposition hearing and had the opportunity to put on evidence and cross-examine the

Agency's social worker, who was also present. The juvenile court gave Jason the

opportunity to bring a motion to set aside the jurisdictional and dispositional findings if

there were extenuating circumstances that prevented the parents from being present.

Jason has provided no explanation for his absence at the conference and made no motion

below to set aside the jurisdictional and dispositional order. Under these circumstances,

Jason's due process rights were not violated.

       Jason's argument concerning the court's local rule also lacks merit. The rule,

Superior Court San Diego County, Local Rules, rule 6.1.9(B) entitled "Settlement

Conference," provides:

               "If a matter is set for a contested hearing, the court may order the
       parties and their counsel to appear at a settlement conference, and may
       schedule dates for both the settlement conference and the hearing. (The
       hearing will proceed as scheduled only if the matter does not settle.). . .
       Unless expressly excused by the court, if any other party fails to appear at
       the settlement conference, the court may issue a bench warrant for that
       party."

The final subdivision of the rule also provides that "[i]f a matter is not resolved at the

settlement conference, the court will address pretrial issues." (Id., subd. (E).) The rule,

however, also states that "[t]he court need not follow the procedures outlined in this rule

where there is clear evidence that a settlement conference will not resolve the matter."

(Id., subd. (A).)

                                                7
       This rule gives the court authority to issue a criminal bench warrant if a party fails

to appear, but does not limit the court's authority to proceed with a contested

jurisdictional and dispositional hearing immediately after the conference. To the

contrary, the rule states it can be disregarded by the court if there is evidence that a

settlement cannot be reached. (Super. Ct. San Diego County, Local Rules, rule 6.1.9.)

Jason and Ashley's failure to appear or explain their absence at the settlement conference

was evidence that settlement was unlikely. The juvenile court, therefore, properly

proceeded to the contested jurisdiction and disposition hearings.

                                              II

       Jason next contends that insufficient evidence supported the court's jurisdictional

finding under section 300, subdivision (b) because there was no evidence J.R. suffered

any harm. In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal, we consider the entire

record to determine whether substantial evidence supports the juvenile court's findings.

We do not pass on the credibility of witnesses, attempt to resolve conflicts in the

evidence or weigh the evidence. Rather, we draw all reasonable inferences in support of

the findings, view the record favorably to the juvenile court's order and affirm the order

even if other evidence supports a contrary finding. (In re Casey D. (1999) 70
Cal. App. 4th 38, 52-53.) The appellant has the burden of showing there is no evidence of

a sufficiently substantial nature to support the order. (In re L.Y.L. (2002) 101
Cal. App. 4th 942, 947.)

       Section 300, subdivision (b) provides a basis for juvenile court jurisdiction if the

child has suffered, or there is a substantial risk the child will suffer, serious physical harm

                                               8
or illness as a result of the parent's failure to adequately supervise or protect the child or

provide adequate medical treatment. In enacting section 300, the Legislature intended to

protect children who are currently being abused or neglected, "and to ensure the safety,

protection, and physical and emotional well-being of children who are at risk of that

harm." (§ 300.2.) The Legislature has emphasized that a child's well-being depends on a

"home environment free from the negative effects of substance abuse . . . ." (Ibid.) In

this regard, the court need not wait until a child is seriously abused or injured to assume

jurisdiction and take the steps necessary to protect the child. (In re Heather A. (1996) 52
Cal. App. 4th 183, 194-196.) Further, the court may consider past events when

determining whether a child presently needs the juvenile court's protection. (In re

Diamond H. (2000) 82 Cal. App. 4th 1127, 1135.)

       In this case, both J.R. and Ashley tested positive for amphetamines and marijuana

at J.R.'s birth and Ashley admitted to using both drugs throughout her pregnancy. Jason

also admitted he was aware of Ashley's marijuana use during the pregnancy and that he

used the drug. Although Jason tested negative for drug use several days after the birth, he

failed to test when he was first asked and hospital staff believed both parents were under

the influence of drugs when Ashley was admitted to the hospital to deliver J.R. The

hospital staff and the social worker were also concerned about possible mental illness of

both parents, as well as Jason's minimization of the consequences to J.R. of Ashley's drug

use.

       This evidence was sufficient to support the court's finding that J.R. had already

suffered physical harm as result of Ashley's drug use while pregnant and that J.R. was at

                                               9
risk of additional harm based on both parents' drug use and Jason's denial of the negative

consequences of such activity. (See In re Christopher R. (2014) 225 Cal. App. 4th 1210,

1218-1220 [evidence of mother's use of cocaine and marijuana while pregnant and

father's use of marijuana sufficient to support jurisdiction finding] and In re Troy D.

(1989) 215 Cal. App. 3d 889, 899 ["prenatal use of dangerous drugs by a mother is

probative of future child neglect"].) Substantial evidence supports the court's

jurisdictional findings.

                                             III

       Jason next challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the court's

dispositional order. He asserts there was no evidence that removing J.R. from his

custody was necessary to protect J.R. from harm, and claims that there were reasonable

alternatives to removal.

       Before the court may order a child physically removed from his or her parent, it

must find, by clear and convincing evidence, the child would be at substantial risk of

harm if returned home and there are no reasonable means by which the child can be

protected without removal. (§ 361, subd. (c)(1); In re Kristin H. (1996) 46 Cal. App. 4th
1635, 1654.) The jurisdictional findings are prima facie evidence the child cannot safely

remain in the home. (§ 361, subd. (c)(1).) The parent need not be dangerous and the

child need not have been actually harmed before removal is appropriate. The focus of the

statute is on averting harm to the child. (In re Diamond H., supra, 82 Cal.App.4th at

p. 1136; In re Jamie M. (1982) 134 Cal. App. 3d 530, 536.) In determining whether

removal is warranted, the court may consider the parent's past conduct as well as present

                                             10
circumstances. (In re S.O. (2002) 103 Cal. App. 4th 453, 461.) We review the court's

dispositional findings for substantial evidence. (In re Kristin H., at p. 1654.)

        The court removed J.R. from parental custody because Jason's and Ashley's drug

abuse impacted their ability to properly parent. Jason was unable to provide J.R. with a

home "free from the negative effects of substance abuse." (§ 300.2.) The evidence

discussed above supported a finding that J.R. was at substantial risk of harm if returned

home.

        Jason asserts that the juvenile court should have placed J.R. with him and ordered

the Agency to provide family maintenance services and/or placed conditions on Jason's

custody, such as a requirement that he not leave the child alone with Ashley. Jason

contends he was cooperative and willing to participate in services. This contention is not

supported by the record. Jason failed to keep in contact with the Agency's social worker

and his own counsel, and demonstrated an overall disinterest in the proceeding. Jason's

substance abuse and mental health status needed to be addressed before J.R. could safely

be returned to his care. Sufficient evidence supported the juvenile court's removal

finding.

                                             IV

        Finally, Jason contends the court abused its discretion by ordering substance abuse

treatment as part of his reunification plan. The social services agency is required to

exercise a good faith effort to assess and address the parents' problems through

appropriate reunification services. (Earl L. v. Superior Court (2011) 199 Cal. App. 4th
1490, 1501.) The case plan for the parents " 'must be specifically tailored to fit the

                                             11
circumstances of each family [citation], and must be designed to eliminate those

conditions which led to the juvenile court's jurisdictional finding.' " (Ibid.)

        Section 362, subdivision (d) provides the "juvenile court may direct any

reasonable orders to the parents or guardians of the child who is the subject of any

proceedings under this chapter as the court deems necessary and

proper . . . including . . . a direction to participate in a counseling or education

program . . . ." " 'The juvenile court has broad discretion to determine what would best

serve and protect the child's interest and to fashion a dispositional order in accordance

with this discretion. [Citations.] The court's determination in this regard will not be

reversed absent a clear abuse of discretion.' " (In re Neil D. (2007) 155 Cal. App. 4th 219,

225.)

        Jason gave conflicting reports about his own drug use, including when he had last

used marijuana. He admitted to having used the drug since grade school and to knowing

that Ashley used marijuana while pregnant. He also appeared to the hospital staff to be

under the influence marijuana at the time Ashley was admitted and failed to show up for

a drug test shortly after J.R.'s birth. In light of this evidence, Jason has not shown that the

court abused its discretion by ordering him to participate in substance abuse treatment.

                                        DISPOSITION

        The orders are affirmed.

                                               12
                        IRION, J.

WE CONCUR:

MCCONNELL, P. J.

MCINTYRE, J.

                   13