Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Persons
CASE NUMBER: 26PG-0033426 Disclosure Re: guardianship cases involving Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency-Judge Wood discloses that her step-daughter, Erinn Watts, is the Administrative Branch Director of the Health and Human Services Agency. In that position, Judge Wood’s step-daughter does not have any involvement in the investigation, management, prosecution or defense of guardianship cases. However, the Court makes this disclosure of an employment relationship between an investigating agency and the Court’s first degree relative as required by California Code of Judicial Ethics.
This matter is on calendar for hearing on a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Persons. The Petition was filed by the minors’ uncle and his partner, David Dykstra and Brianna Owens. Letters of Temporary Guardianship issued on June 10, 2026, and are set to expire today unless further extended.
The Court dispenses with notice to the deceased father and paternal grandfather. There is no proof of service of the Notice of Hearing and Petition for the mother, maternal grandparents, and paternal grandmother. Insufficient information has been provided to permit the Court to dispense with notice to these parties. The mother must be personally served in order to move forward on the Petition. Prob. Code § 1511(b). All other parties may be served by mail. Prob. Code § 1511(c). Alternatively, the above parties can sign a consent and waiver of notice (GC-211, section 4), in lieu of being served.
The Court has reviewed the Court Investigator’s report filed on July 1, 2026, and the Children’s Services report filed on July 20, 2026, which both recommend granting the Petition. The Court will inquire whether the children are or may be Indian children. If Petitioners have reason to know that the children are Indian children, they must make further inquiry to learn about the children’s Indian heritage.
This matter is continued to Monday, August 24, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 42 for further proceedings on the Petition. The Temporary Guardianship is ORDERED to remain in effect until the continued hearing date. Petitioners are required to file and serve a new Notice of Hearing for the continued hearing date, along with a copy of the Petition, on the parties identified above. In the alternative, if Petitioners cannot serve the parties identified, the Court will require a declaration explaining in detail all efforts of Petitioners to locate and serve them and why they cannot be served, to permit the Court to dispense with notice. Warning: Failure to properly effect service or provide adequate basis to dispense with service as to the necessary parties will result in denial of the Petition. Notice is preserved. No appearance is necessary on today’s calendar.
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GUARDIANSHIP OF ARA FAIR-SPENCER/CAIN