Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Person
cannot serve the parties identified, the Court will require a declaration explaining in detail all efforts of Petitioner 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. No appearance is necessary on today’s calendar.
GUARDIANSHIP OF CHARLEE SWINDLE CASE NUMBER: 26PG-0033376 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 Person. The Petition was filed by the minor’s grandparents, Teri and Robert Manko. Letters of Temporary Guardianship issued on May 7, 2026, and are set to expire today unless further extended.
The minor, father, maternal grandparents, paternal grandmother, and siblings have consented to the guardianship and waived notice. The Court dispenses with notice to the deceased mother and paternal grandfather. The matter has been properly noticed. No objections have been raised. The paperwork appears to be in order. 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.
The Court has reviewed and considered the Court Investigator’s report filed on May 20, 2026, and agrees with the recommendation to grant the Petition. The Court notes the Court Investigator indicates that father no longer consents to the Petition, will file a formal objection, and intends to appear at the hearing. A formal objection has not been filed.
Absent an appearance and objection as noted below, the Court intends to GRANT the Petition. The Court FINDS it would be detrimental for the child to be with either parent or any parent objecting to the guardianship, the guardianship is in the child’s best interest, and the guardianship is necessary and convenient. The proposed guardian is suitable. Visitation shall be at the Guardian’s discretion. A proposed Order Appointing Guardian has been lodged and will be executed by the Court. Annual Review is set for _Monday, June 7, 2027, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 42.
A completed Confidential Guardianship Status Report (GC-251) must be submitted one (1) month prior to the hearing on the Annual Review pursuant to Probate Code § 1513.2. The Court reminds the Guardians they are responsible for maintaining a current address on file with the Court at all times. An appearance is necessary on today’s calendar only if there is an objection.
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