Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Person
CASE NUMBER: 26PG-0033241 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 further proceedings on a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Persons filed by the minors’ aunt and uncle, Belinda and Ricky Eusted. Letters of Temporary Guardianship issued on February 19, 2026, and are set to expire today unless further extended.
A new Notice of Hearing has not been filed and served for today’s date. There is no valid proof of service of the Notice of Hearing and Petition for the father, maternal grandparents, or paternal grandparents. Insufficient information has been provided to permit the Court to dispense with notice to these parties. The father 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 March 17, 2026, which recommends granting the Petition. The Court will inquire whether the child is or may be an Indian child. If Petitioner has reason to know that the child is an Indian child, they must make further inquiry to learn about the child’s Indian heritage.
This matter is also on calendar for confirmation of counsel. The Court previously noted that the mother consented to the Petition but subsequently filed a Petition for Termination, therefore the Court found the Petition to be a withdrawal of consent and objection. Consequently, the Public Defender was previously appointed as counsel for the minors.
The Court notes this matter has been continued three times to allow Petitioners additional time to properly noticed the Petition. The Court intends to deny the Petition if it is not fully served ahead of the next hearing date. The matter is set for Monday, September 14, 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.
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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. An appearance is necessary on today’s calendar by the Public Defender to confirm appointment.
GUARDIANSHIP OF ZELEYANA RAY SIMS