Court Opinion

ID: 4028907
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-08-27 00:03:40.669157+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:19.925301
License: Public Domain

Filed 8/26/16 In re J.N. CA6
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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
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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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

                                      SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

In re J.N. et al., Persons Coming Under the                          H043299
Juvenile Court Law.                                                 (Santa Clara County
                                                                     Super. Ct. Nos. JD19652, JD13746,
                                                                     JD19668, JD23124, JD23125)

SANTA CLARA COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND
CHILDREN’S SERVICES,

         Plaintiff and Respondent,

         v.

M.P.,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         The Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services
(Department) brought a petition seeking to terminate M.P.’s visitation with his children
during the reunification period. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 388.)1 The juvenile court granted
the petition. Appellant contends that the order is not supported by substantial evidence
that visitation posed a threat to his children’s physical safety. We affirm.

1
         All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.
                            I. Factual and Procedural History
       Appellant and L.N. (the mother) have five children: Jasmine was born in
September 2001; Abel was born in June 2005; Destiny was born in April 2008; Michael
was born in May 2009; and Antonio was born in December 2012.

                                A. Prior Dependency Cases
       In May 2002, Jasmine became the subject of dependency proceedings when she
was eight months old. Jasmine had been placed in protective custody after the mother
was involved in a domestic violence with F.E. The mother had identified F.E. as the
alleged father. The mother had a substance abuse history and was incarcerated for an
outstanding warrant for narcotics. In July 2002, Jasmine was made a dependent of the
court. Paternity was not established at that time. The juvenile court returned Jasmine to
the mother’s custody after 12 months of reunification services. The case was dismissed
after six months of family maintenance services.
       In May 2009, a second dependency petition was filed. When Michael was born,
he was placed into protective custody after he and the mother tested positive for
amphetamines. The mother identified appellant as one of three alleged fathers. It was
alleged that appellant had a criminal history and was required to register as a sex offender
due to a conviction for a lewd act with a child under the age of 14. His whereabouts were
unknown. Appellant’s sex registration requirement was the result of his relationship with
the mother when she was 12 years old and he was 24 years old. Though appellant was
convicted based on the mother’s testimony, she subsequently claimed that there had been
no sexual conduct between them. Based on the same allegations, the Department also
filed a petition in connection with 14-month-old Destiny.2

2
       Abel and Jasmine lived with maternal relatives.
                                             2
       In June 2009, the petition was amended to include allegations that appellant
denied paternity and had a history of assaultive and verbally abusive behavior, including,
but not limited to, emotional and physical abuse of the mother.
       When the social worker interviewed appellant for the jurisdiction report, he
claimed that he did not know the mother or her immediate family and he was not the
father of either Destiny or Michael. He stated that he was a transient and he did not want
to take responsibility for the children. The jurisdiction report also referred to a prior
domestic violence incident in which appellant repeatedly hit the mother while she was six
months pregnant and threatened her if she called the police. On another occasion,
appellant was involved in a property dispute and he punched the victim.
       In August 2009, Michael and Destiny were declared dependents of the court. The
juvenile court ordered that they remain in the mother’s custody with family maintenance
services and that appellant have no contact or communication with the children. In
January 2011, the dependency case was dismissed.

                                B. Current Dependency Case
       On February 24, 2015, Jasmine, Abel, Destiny, Michael, and Antonio were taken
into protective custody after the mother took them to the Valley Health Center while she
was under the influence of methamphetamine. The police did not release the children to
appellant because he was a registered sex offender and had a volatile relationship with the
mother. Two days later, the Department filed individual petitions alleging that each child
came within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court under section 300, subdivisions (b)
(failure to protect) and (j) (abuse of sibling). The petitions alleged that the mother had an
extensive history of substance abuse and crimes associated with her substance abuse and
that appellant had failed to protect the children from the mother’s substance abuse. It was
also alleged that appellant’s criminal history began in 1995 and included several

                                              3
misdemeanor and felony convictions. The petitions further alleged the prior dependency
proceedings.
       According to the initial hearing report, the mother stated that appellant was the
father of all the children. Appellant also told the social worker that he was the children’s
father. According to appellant, he was unaware that the mother was using drugs again.
Appellant stated that he could live with the children because he was no longer on parole.
He was currently living in a mobile home behind the mother’s home.
       At the initial hearing on February 27, 2015, the juvenile court ordered that the
children be detained. The juvenile court also found that appellant was the presumed
father of all five children.
       The jurisdiction report, which was dated March 18, 2015, recommended that the
amended petitions3 be sustained. The report summarized appellant’s criminal history.
He was a registered narcotics offender until March 2011 and a registered sex offender for
life. He had five prior felony convictions, including possession of a controlled substance,
three counts of failure to register as a sex offender, and lewd conduct with a child under
14. He had 13 prior misdemeanor convictions, including two counts of use of a
controlled substance, resisting a public officer, three counts of failure to appear, and
seven counts of driving with a suspended license. Appellant stated that he had never seen
any drugs or paraphernalia in the home. Though he was aware of the mother’s past
dependency cases, he did not know that she was using drugs until her recent arrest.
Appellant “implied that he would be able to notice the signs [of the mother’s drug use]
since he used to use the drug himself.” Appellant declined any services or referrals,
because he “ ‘did all that’ ” while he was incarcerated. He also stated that he “ ‘hasn’t
done anything wrong.’ ” Appellant interacted with the family almost daily. However, the

3
       On March 17, 2015, the Department filed amended petitions as to each child.
                                              4
mother and children lived in “Section 8” housing and Section 8 guidelines prohibited
appellant, as a registered sex offender, from living with them.
         The social worker noted that both parents denied that they were in a relationship
when she was a minor. However, they admitted to being in a relationship for 18 to 20
years which indicated that they began their relationship when the mother was
approximately 14 to 16 years old and appellant was 25 to 27 years old.
         It was noted that the prior child welfare history included several referrals and two
cases. The recurring themes were concerns regarding substance abuse by the mother,
inappropriate discipline, violence in the home, inadequate supervision, and chronic lice
causing the children to frequently miss school. Destiny told the social worker that
appellant had punched her a long time ago. According to Destiny, Antonio was slapped
on the bottom and Michael was hit. Her parents never hit each other, but they yelled and
swore.
         The disposition report, dated April 15, 2015, recommended that the juvenile court
sustain the amended petitions and order reunification services for appellant and the
mother. Though appellant indicated that he was able to determine when the mother was
under the influence of methamphetamines, he felt “conflicted about taking the children
from their mother or confronting [her] about her substance abuse.” Appellant arrived at
the parenting orientation session, but was not allowed to attend because he arrived
approximately 10 minutes late.
         Appellant completed three random drugs tests, which were all positive for THC.
Appellant did not believe that his marijuana use affected his ability to parent his children.
He provided a recently issued medical marijuana card and stated that he intended to
continue using marijuana.
         The disposition report summarized the children’s welfare. Jasmine, who was 13
years old, was doing well in school. However, she reported that she was sad and cried

                                               5
frequently, because she could not return home. She was willing to try therapy and a
referral was made for her. Nine-year-old Abel was a good student. However, he was
behind academically, because he had 12 absences and 16 tardies due, in part, to chronic
lice. Prior to removal from his home, he was acting out in class. However, his behavior
had improved recently. A counseling referral was made for him. Destiny, who was six
years old, did not have many friends at school and struggled with listening and following
directions in the classroom. She was also very defiant on several occasions and had
tantrums. She was behind academically due to 19 absences related, in part, to chronic
lice. Destiny was referred for counseling. Five-year-old Michael had a difficult time
relating to peers at school. He was behind academically because he had 16 absences due,
in part, to chronic lice. He also had a difficult time following directions. The school was
considering keeping him in kindergarten for another year. He was also referred for
counseling. Antonio was two years old. He had delayed speech and still drank from a
bottle. He was referred to speech therapy and early childhood special education.
       The children visited with their parents twice a week for two hours. The visits were
going well. The parents usually brought food and the family played board games,
watched movies, or played with toys during the visits. Both parents and the children
needed to be reminded not to use curse words. The parents also occasionally argued and
bickered with each other, but were able to stop themselves.
       On April 15, 2015, the jurisdiction and disposition hearing was held. After the
parents submitted on the amended petitions and the reports, the juvenile court sustained
the petitions with further amendments, declared the children dependents of the court,
removed them from their parents’ custody, and ordered reunification services for the
parents. Appellant’s case plan required him to participate in the parent orientation class,
a parenting class, counseling, weekly random controlled substances testing, a substance

                                             6
abuse assessment, and any recommended substance abuse treatment. The juvenile court
also ordered two supervised visits a week for two hours.
       In June 2015, the Department received seven-day notices to move the children
from their foster homes because of behavioral issues and chronic lice. The Department
was in the process of negotiating with the housing authority and the landlord to move the
children back into the mother’s Section 8 house in the care of the paternal grandmother.
The foster parents had agreed to extend the time necessary to remove the children.
       Appellant was assessed for substance abuse. Appellant reported that he used
medical marijuana to manage pain four to five times a week. According to the assessor,
appellant presented with distorted views and blamed others for his current situation. It
also appeared that appellant used control and manipulation to deal with the mother’s
substance abuse. Appellant expressed no remorse for his criminal history. He
acknowledged that he had a history of opioid use, but he stated that he had been “drug
free” since 1989. The assessor did not recommend treatment, but he advised appellant to
attend codependency meetings.
       An interim review report, which was dated September 15, 2015, informed the
juvenile court that the paternal grandmother was not able to assume the Section 8 housing
voucher and the children were moved to foster homes.
       The interim review report also discussed the difficulty in eradicating the children’s
lice. The foster mother for Abel and Michael treated the lice whenever it appeared and
took the boys to a special lice salon and a physician. When appellant was informed that
the foster mother had requested that their hair be cut to facilitate the lice treatment, he
became “enraged,” discussed the disrespect to his Azorean heritage, and threatened legal
action. The foster mother for Destiny and Jasmine also took preventative measures to
eradicate the lice. Though Jasmine had been free of lice for several weeks, Destiny
returned from visitation with lice. The foster parents had administered treatments and

                                               7
washed all bedding and clothing, but they had been unable to permanently eradicate the
lice.
        The interim review report discussed visitation, which had been complicated by
transportation issues as well as the children’s lice. Since there was a lapse in visitation,
makeup visits had occurred. In mid-July, the mother stated that she no longer wanted
joint visits with the father. Staff also reported at this time that they had called the police
to intervene, because appellant had been driving for hours around the transitional housing
unit where the mother lived. When the social worker told appellant of the change to
separate visits at the mother’s request, he became volatile and did not believe the social
worker. Despite reminders from the visitation supervisors, appellant made disparaging
remarks to the children about the mother. Appellant also told the children that the mother
manipulates them, they did not need to obey her all the time, and her “ ‘side of the family
are all dope fiends.’ ”
        On September 15, 2015, the juvenile court ordered the children to have their hair
cut if there was no other solution to eradicating their lice.
        About three weeks later, the court designated child advocate for Michael
submitted a report. Michael had told her during many outings that he wished he could
cut his hair. He became frustrated and angry when they were in public and people
thought he was a girl. He stated that he wanted short hair that he could style and spike
and that he had hair gel ready at home for this hairstyle. Michael was afraid that his
brother and appellant would be very angry with him if he cut his hair. He was afraid
appellant would yell at him and “ ‘might even hit him.’ ” The advocate recommended that
Michael’s hair be cut for his emotional well-being.
        The six-month review report, which was dated October 7, 2015, recommended
that family reunification services continue for both parents. It was noted that Jasmine
had decided to cut her hair. When appellant saw her, he commented that she looked “like

                                               8
a douche with shorter hair.” The report set forth the children’s struggles with various
emotional and behavioral issues. Appellant repeatedly talked about the mother, her drug
use, and her new boyfriend during visits with the children and he later signed an
agreement to refrain from speaking negatively about the mother in front of the children.
       An addendum report, which was dated October 7, 2015, summarized discussions
between the social worker and appellant. Appellant now claimed that he was aware that
the mother had been using drugs and he instructed his children to destroy the drugs and
drug paraphernalia. Appellant denied acts of violence in his relationship with the mother,
but he did admit arguments during which they would yell. He explained that since he
was a “three striker” he argued with the mother in public so he could not be accused of
violence. He admitted that the neighbors would call the police during some of these
arguments. The social worker and appellant also discussed the juvenile court’s order to
cut the children’s hair. Appellant recognized that there was a problem with the children’s
lice, but he was vehemently opposed to having their hair cut.
       According to the addendum report, the four eldest children were screened at the
lice salon and found to have lice. The technician informed the social worker that the
foster parents, their families, and the children’s parents needed to be treated for lice to
prevent reinfestation in the children. The social worker contacted the parents and told
them that visits would be canceled until they were able to be screened or treated for lice.
The mother was found to have lice and was treated. There is no indication that appellant
was screened or treated.
       The social worker informed appellant that Abel, Destiny, and Michael would be
getting their hair cut. Jasmine would not have her hair cut, because it had already been
cut recently. When told that Michael wanted short, spiky hair, appellant stated that he did
not know or understand what he was asking for. After Michael and Destiny had their hair
cut, they were smiling and expressed that they really liked their new hair styles. Though

                                              9
Abel appeared to like his haircut, he appeared a little worried. The social worker spoke
to appellant about his children’s haircuts. When he heard that Michael had a short, spiky
hairstyle, appellant became irate and yelled that he had made it clear that the boys were
not to have their hair cut any higher than their shoulders. Appellant repeatedly stated that
the social worker had disrespected him, told her that he could no longer work with her,
and hung up the phone. He called back a few minutes later and asked for the contact
information for the social worker’s supervisor. Appellant then made calls to the
supervisor and the social worker and left angry, profanity-laced phone messages.
       On November 4, 2015, the juvenile court held the six-month review hearing.
Reunification services were continued to the 12-month review hearing. The issue of
reasonable services was set over to another date. Five days later, the juvenile court found
that reasonable services had not been provided.
       On December 30, 2015, the Department filed a section 388 petition seeking an
order terminating appellant’s visitation. The petition alleged that the children’s visits
with appellant were detrimental to their safety and well-being. Appellant repeatedly
yelled at the children and at the social workers and security officers in front of the
children. Antonio appeared afraid of appellant. After Antonio was transported to a
recent visit with appellant, he clung to the social worker’s leg when he saw appellant.
Appellant “appeared very angry” and yelled repeatedly “You’re going to see what’s
going to happen!” While Antonio played by himself, appellant made fun of him and
what he was wearing. Appellant yelled at Antonio for a haircut. After the other children
arrived, appellant continued to yell about the haircut and Abel quickly said he was letting
his hair grow out. As appellant yelled at Antonio about his haircut, Antonio held his arm
across his face. Jasmine intervened and comforted Antonio.
       On December 19, 2015, the children had a visit with the mother. Michael knew
that his visit with appellant followed the visit with the mother and his behavior began to

                                             10
change at the end of this visit. He became upset and crawled under a table where he
remained until appellant arrived. The visitation supervision social worker attempted to
inform appellant about Michael’s behavior, that Abel was with his mentor and on his way
to the visit, and that Michael and Abel would be leaving the visit an hour early due to
transportation issues. Appellant talked over and screamed at the visitation supervision
social worker. He stated that he did not give his son permission to go with the mentor.
He also yelled that he was in control and said, “I’m gonna take control, watch you’ll
see!” Appellant ignored Jasmine and Destiny. While Michael remained under the table,
appellant pointed at him, yelled at him, and asked what was wrong with him. Appellant
continued to repeat that he was in control and would take control. Appellant
“aggressively and violently” pushed the table against the wall, which made a loud noise.
He then grabbed Michael by one arm, pulled him out from under the table, and
“forcefully” pulled him up. The security officer entered the room, told appellant to put
the child down, and asked him to leave. Appellant left immediately. Michael repeatedly
told his caregiver that he had been frightened and told his social worker that he was
scared.
       When the incident was discussed with Destiny, she asked the social worker, “Do
you know what my dad is happy about?” The social worker asked, “What is he happy
about?” Destiny responded, “Nothing!” According to Jasmine, Michael seemed scared
and that appellant’s behavior seemed normal for him. Abel, who had not been present,
tried to defend appellant.
       The social workers, who had supervised visits for appellant or been involved with
him regarding the visits, stated that his yelling and aggressive behaviors have been
escalating during the past couple of months. His behavior was unpredictable and all the
children were at risk of becoming the target of one of his outbursts.

                                            11
       The juvenile court scheduled a hearing on the section 388 petition and ordered that
appellant’s visitation be temporarily suspended pending the hearing.
       On January 6, 2016, the juvenile court scheduled an evidentiary hearing on the
section 388 petition. The juvenile court also noted that “whenever [appellant] is in front
of this Court, and again today, he is mocking the Court. He makes eye contact with his
son, Abel, who this Court feels Abel has to protect his father and has to support his
father, which again is inappropriate.”
       About a month later, the Department submitted an addendum report. Appellant
had contacted the program manager for the social worker and they discussed his
concerns. The program manager told him that the Department and the social worker
were willing to communicate with him and support his efforts to reunify with his children
by participating in his reunification plan. The program manager also instructed appellant
to contact the social worker. However, appellant had not contacted the social worker for
over a week after this conversation.
       The social worker contacted law enforcement about appellant’s visitation. The
deputy sheriff opined that appellant’s behavior would not necessarily change if an officer
was present during the visit. His opinion was based on appellant’s disregard for the
social workers and protection officers who were present during previous visits. He did
not recommend law-enforcement supervised visits. The Department recommended that
appellant engage in individual therapy and the conflict and accountability program to
help him make the necessary changes so the children could safely visit him. Transcripts
of appellant’s most recent profanity-laced phone messages to the Department were
attached to the report.
       The contested hearing was held on February 1, 2016. Katie Hartung, a social
worker, testified as an expert in the areas of risk assessment and placement of dependent
children. She had been the social worker on the case since October 2015. She prepared

                                            12
the section 388 petition because appellant engaged in “escalating and aggressive
behaviors both toward the supervising social workers and the children, including yelling,
and then also increasingly physically aggressive behaviors towards the children.” She
described the December 19 visit in which appellant argued, yelled at the social worker
and some of the children, pushed the table against the wall, grabbed Michael, and pulled
him out from under the table. After a security guard asked appellant to leave, he did so.
Michael ran to a corner and curled up in a fetal position.
       Hartung also testified that there had been other times when the children reported
feeling scared of appellant. She opined that suspension of appellant’s visitation would be
in the children’s best interest because it would be important for them to be able to feel
safe during the visits. The foster parents had reported behavior changes surrounding the
visits with appellant. Antonio would act out for a day or two after visits. Prior to the
suspension of appellant’s visitation, Abel and Michael would act out prior to and after
visits with appellant. Hartung noted that the children’s behavior during visits had
improved since appellant’s visitation was suspended.
       According to Hartung, appellant had completed the parent orientation class but he
had not participated in any other case plan activities. Hartung also believed it would be
helpful if appellant communicated with her or someone else from the Department. He
had become upset with her many times and hung up on her. She had written a letter to
appellant since she was not able to communicate with him in person or on the telephone.
Another social worker delivered the letter to him and he threw it away.
       Appellant often yelled at the social worker or at the children during visits. He told
Jasmine that he did not want her to become a “bull-dike,” yelled at Antonio after his hair
was cut, and became upset with Michael about his hair. Appellant brought up the subject
of haircuts at almost every visit. He degraded and humiliated the children with his

                                             13
comments. Hartung was concerned because appellant’s behavior was unpredictable and
had escalated to the point of physical aggression.
       Following argument, the juvenile court granted the section 388 petition. It found
that there had been a change of circumstances. The juvenile court stated: “I think by
clear and convincing evidence it would be detrimental to these minors for visitations to
continue. The father is unpredictable. He had uncontrollable anger issues, his
belittlement of his children, I think, clearly, negatively, emotionally affects the children
and poses a physical safety issue. . . . The children love their parents, but I think it’s
outweighed by the need for safety here.”

                                         II. Discussion
       Appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the order
terminating visitation with his children.
       “The overarching goal of dependency proceedings is to safeguard the welfare of
California’s children. [Citation.] ‘Family preservation, with the attendant reunification
plan and reunification services, is the first priority when child dependency proceedings
are commenced.’ [Citation.]” (In re Nolan W. (2009) 45 Cal.4th 1217, 1228.) “An
obvious prerequisite to family reunification is regular visits between the noncustodial
parent or parents and the dependent children . . . .” (In re Julie M. (1999) 69 Cal.App.4th
41, 49.) “Visitation shall be as frequent as possible, consistent with the well-being of the
child.” (§ 362.1, subd. (a)(1)(A).) However, “[n]o visitation order shall jeopardize the
safety of the child.” (§ 362.1, subd. (a)(1)(B).) We review an order terminating
visitation for substantial evidence standard. (In re Mark L. (2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 573,
580-581.)
       Appellant relies on In re C.C. (2009) 172 Cal.App.4th 1481 (C.C.) and argues that
the juvenile court erred when it terminated visitation in the absence of a threat to the

                                              14
children’s physical safety. The Department points out that In re Brittany C. (2011) 191
Cal.App.4th 1343 observed that the C.C. court incorrectly interpreted the statute, and the
juvenile court was permitted to suspend visitation if there was a threat to the child’s
emotional well-being. We need not take a position on this issue because the juvenile
court’s ruling here was proper even under the standard set forth in C.C.
       Here, appellant became increasingly verbally abusive to the children during the
reunification period. He repeatedly yelled at them and made degrading and humiliating
comments to them during the visits. The children reported that they were scared of him.
Thus, there was overwhelming evidence that appellant posed a threat to the children’s
emotional well-being. Appellant’s behavior escalated from verbal abuse to physical
violence when he slammed the table against the wall and forcefully pulled Michael out
from under the table. Though the physical violence involved only Michael, appellant’s
behavior was unpredictable and could have been aimed at any one of the children.
Appellant argues that “proper supervision of [him] during visits could eliminate any
threat to the children’s safety.” However, a social worker and a security guard were
nearby during the incident and neither was able to prevent appellant from grabbing
Michael. Thus, there was substantial evidence to support the juvenile court’s finding that
visitation jeopardized the safety of the children.

                                       III.   Disposition
       The order is affirmed.

                                              15
                                 _________________________________
                                 Mihara, J.

WE CONCUR:

______________________________
Elia, Acting P. J.

______________________________
Bamattre-Manoukian, J.

                                  16