California Court of Appeal Sep 26, 2024 No. E083351Unpublished
Filed 9/26/24 In re A.G. CA4/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
In re A.G. et al., Persons Coming Under the Juvenile Court Law.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES, E083351
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super.Ct.No. DPRI2300458)
v. OPINION
E.G.,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. Dorothy McLaughlin,
Judge. Affirmed.
Megan Turkat Schirn, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant.
Minh C. Tran, County Counsel, Teresa K.B. Beecham and Prabhath Shettigar,
Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
1
Defendant and appellant E.R. (Father) appeals from the juvenile court’s
jurisdictional and dispositional orders adjudicating three of his children—A.G. (a girl,
born Jan. 2018), and twins So.G. and St.G. (girls, born Nov. 2020) (collectively,
Minors)—dependents of the court pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section
300.1 On appeal, Father contends there was insufficient evidence presented to support
the jurisdictional findings to sustain the section 300 petition, specifically, that he sexually
abused A.G., and the dispositional bypass orders based on the finding should be reversed.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
A. DETENTION2
On October 10, 2023, the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services
(Department) received an immediate response referral for Father, P.P. (Mother)3 and
Minors. It was reported that Father had been drinking and Mother confronted him.
Father got on top of Mother and hit her on the side of the head. He pulled Mother’s right
ear and caused bruising. Father tried to break her right arm, resulting in bruising.
Mother filed an emergency protective order against Father which was granted.
1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated.
2 At the time of the detention, Mother’s other children—Father’s stepchildren— G.P. (a boy, born in 2006), R.P. (a girl, born in 2007), and B.P. (a boy, born in 2011) were also living in the home. Father stated in his opening brief that the appeal was limited to Minors. This court found that Father’s appeal did not include his stepchildren as parties to the instant appeal.
3 Mother has not filed an appeal in this matter.
2
After this incident, Mother contacted the Department and reported she believed
that Father had been sexually abusing A.G. After Father was taken from the house, A.G.
told Mother that she was afraid to be alone with Father. A.G. told Mother, “[F]ather does
‘this’ to her and gestured with a finger and pointed to her vaginal area.” A social worker
observed a forensic interview of A.G. A.G. reported during the forensic interview that
she had not been touched inappropriately by anyone in her home. She reported feeling
safe with both Father and Mother. It was reported to the social worker by Detective
Turner of the Riverside Police Department that A.G. had completed a medical
examination earlier in the day and the findings were inconclusive because A.G.’s vaginal
area was swollen. A follow-up examination would have to be performed.
Mother advised the Department that she had experienced domestic violence
throughout her relationship with Father. When Father was intoxicated, he would become
violent and force her to have sex with him. There had been multiple incidents of
unreported domestic violence between them, and incidents where he forced her to have
sex. Mother advised the social worker that A.G. was crying when she told her about
Father sexually abusing her. Father had told A.G. not to tell anyone. Mother insisted she
no longer wanted a relationship with Father and would not allow him back in the home.
Mother was referred to domestic violence counseling. She was also provided information
on how to extend the emergency protective order.
The social worker went with Detective Turner on October 12, 2023, to A.G.’s
school. A.G. reported feeling safe at home with Mother. A.G. was asked if she had been
touched by anyone in her private area. She initially responded, “Yes.” She then changed
3
her answer to “No.” She told them that she was hurt but did not state who hurt her. A.G.
then denied being hurt and would not provide any further details.
On October 27, 2023, the social worker received information that a follow-up
medical examination had been performed on A.G. It was reported that during the prior
examination, her “hymen was noted to be erythematous and swollen.” During the
follow-up examination, “there was a resolution of the prior findings (injury), indicating
the prior finding was evidence of penetrating vaginal trauma and confirmed sexual abuse
of [A.G.].” The medical examination was not attached to the detention report.
After the examination, on November 16, 2023, the social worker and Detective
Turner returned to A.G.’s school. She reported she felt safe with Mother now that Father
was not living with them. She admitted she was afraid of Father. A.G. stated that Father
hurt her but did not provide any further information. A.G.’s half brother, G.P., told the
social worker that A.G. had reported to him the things that Father did to her. Her half
sister, R.P., had heard A.G.’s accusations and did not believe that Father did anything to
A.G. Half brother B.P. had heard A.G. tell G.P. about Father touching her but did not
express an opinion on whether he believed it was true.
Minors were taken into custody under a protective custody warrant from Father.
Minors were allowed to remain with Mother. Father and Mother took lie detector tests on
December 7, 2023. After the test, Father was arrested and was housed at the Southwest
Detention Center in Murrieta. Father was interviewed at the Southwest Detention Center
on December 7, 2023, by the social worker. Father stated he only cleaned A.G. after she
went to the bathroom and that his DNA would be in her vaginal area from cleaning her.
4
Father claimed he was still incarcerated because he did not have a lawyer. He had
obtained an attorney and insisted he would soon be released from jail.
On December 6, 2023, Mother visited Father in jail. Father stated she had agreed
to allow him to return home. He told the social worker he would no longer help “his
girls” go to the restroom. He denied he ever inappropriately touched A.G. Mother
insisted she went to the jail to end things with Father. She was not going to allow Father
to return home. Mother had not filed anything to extend the emergency protective order
to keep Father from her and Minors. Mother asked if the restraining order was necessary
and whether she would be able to visit Father in jail if she obtained the order. Another
visit with A.G. at her school was made by a social worker on December 7, 2023. A.G.
only reported that she had not seen Father since he left their residence.
Father had been criminally charged with a violation of Penal Code section 288.7,
subdivision (b), engaging in oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child under the
age of 10. Father had prior convictions for driving under the influence and battery on a
spouse or cohabitant. The Department concluded it was concerned about the safety of
Minors based on the sexual abuse of A.G. and the forensic medical examination which
was “conclusive of sexual abuse.” The Department was also concerned about Mother’s
lack of insight into the harm caused to A.G. and the risk of letting Father back into the
home. Mother and Father denied any Indian heritage.
On December 15, 2023, the Department filed section 300 petitions (petitions) for
Minors against Mother and Father. It was alleged under failure to protect against Father
under section 300, subdivision (b), that (b-1) Father sexually abused A.G. by digitally
5
penetrating her vagina and had been arrested on November 10, 2023, on charges of
engaging in oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child under the age of 10, an
examination of A.G. was conducted and a finding of vaginal trauma due to penetration
was confirmed; and (b)(4) failing to protect Minors by having an unresolved history of
abusing alcohol and exhibiting volatile behavior including domestic violence. It was
alleged against Mother (b-2) that she neglected the health and safety of Minors based on
ongoing domestic violence in the home. Mother had suffered bruising and Father had a
criminal history of arrests/convictions for battery on a spouse and/or cohabitant. Mother
failed to (b)(3) protect Minors by visiting Father in jail despite the sexual abuse and
domestic violence allegations. It was alleged pursuant to section 300, subdivision (d),
sexual abuse, that Father had sexually abused A.G. It was further alleged pursuant to
section 300, subdivision (g) that Father was incarcerated, which left Minors with no
provision for support. Finally, it was alleged pursuant to section 300, subdivision (j), that
the abuse of A.G. posed a risk of harm to St.G. and So.G.
The detention hearing was conducted on December 18, 2023. The Department
sought a temporary restraining order against Father for Minors. Father’s counsel waived
formal reading of the petitions and advisement of rights. Father’s counsel entered a
general denial of the petitions on behalf of Father. Father was named the presumed father
of Minors. The juvenile court found a prima facie showing had been made that Minors
came within section 300, subdivisions (b), (d), (g) and (j). Minors were detained from
Father but allowed to remain with Mother. Father was denied visitation. The temporary
restraining order was granted.
6
B. JURISDICTION/DISPOSITION REPORT
The jurisdiction/disposition report was filed on January 4, 2024. The Department
recommended that the juvenile court find the allegations in the petitions true, and that
minors remain with mother on a family maintenance plan. Father should be granted
family reunification services for Minors. He should be granted supervised visits with
St.G. and So.G.; visits with A.G. would depend on a therapist’s recommendation. Father
was still detained at the Southwest Detention Center and charges were still pending
against him.
Two of A.G.’s half siblings still did not believe that Father had touched A.G.
inappropriately. A.G. was interviewed on December 28, 2023. She felt safe living with
Mother. She claimed not to be scared of Father and was not sure why he was not at
home. She admitted that on occasion, Father had helped her shower and get dressed.
A.G. did not answer questions posed to her about anyone touching her private parts.
A.G. had heard Mother and Father “scream” at each other but she was not sure if they
fought with their hands. St.G. and So.G. were too young to be interviewed.
Mother was interviewed on December 28, 2023. She confirmed that A.G. had told
her that Father had touched her with his hand. Mother had always taught A.G. that she
was the only person who could wash her private area. Mother stated that the domestic
violence between her and Father had happened “at least twice.” On one occasion, he had
slapped her in the face during an argument but she did not report it to the police. The
second incident was the domestic violence in this case. She had not seen Father during
7
the reporting period and was not going to reconcile with him. The Department was not
allowed to interview Father based on the criminal allegations.
The Department recommended that the juvenile court find the sexual abuse
allegations were true by a preponderance of the evidence based on the medical
examination that was reported to the social worker by email. Further, A.G. advised
Mother that Father had touched her. Further, on November 16, 2023, A.G. reported
feeling safe in her home with Mother now that Father was not in the home. Father was
facing charges for sexual abuse of A.G. There was also sufficient evidence of domestic
violence to support the allegations in the petitions. Mother reported the incidents and had
bruising. Father also had a prior conviction for battery against a spouse or cohabitant.
Mother had failed to protect Minors. Despite Father hitting her, forcing her to have sex,
and the allegations of sexual abuse, Mother visited Father in jail. Based on the sufficient
evidence that Father sexually abused A.G., there was a risk of harm to St.G. and So.G.
that they would also suffer the same abuse.
The Department recommended family maintenance services to ensure Mother
continued to protect Minors from Father and in order for the family to receive services,
including parenting and domestic violence classes for Mother. The medical examination
of A.G. was not attached to the jurisdiction/disposition report.
8
The Department apparently contacted Father’s counsel prior to the
jurisdiction/disposition hearing and indicated it was amending its recommendation that
reunification services be denied to Father pursuant to section 361.5, subdivision (b)(6).4
The jurisdictional hearing was first called to be heard on January 9, 2024. The
temporary restraining order was also to be heard on the same date. Father requested that
the matter be set contested based on the recommendation that reunification services be
denied. The jurisdiction hearing and hearing on a permanent restraining order was set for
February 6, 2024.
The Department filed an addendum report on February 1, 2024. They
recommended that the allegations in the petitions be found true; that Mother be offered
Family Maintenance Services; Father be denied reunification services pursuant to section
361.5, subdivision (b)(6); and Father’s visitation with Minors remain suspended. Minors
remained placed with Mother. On January 30, 2024, Mother had enrolled in a domestic
violence course. Minors were referred for mental health assessments. St.G. and So.G.
had been referred for testing based on their limited speech. Father was still incarcerated.
The Department again referenced the forensic medical examination but did not attach it
to the addendum report. It was unknown how long Father would be incarcerated.
Mother continued to assure the Department that she had no contact with Father and
would not reconcile with him.
4 Section 361.5, subdivision (b)(6), allows for bypass of reunification services when “the child has been adjudicated a dependent pursuant to any subdivision of section 300 as a result of severe sexual abuse.”
9
C. JURISDICTION/DISPOSITION HEARING
The jurisdiction hearing was held on February 6, 2024. Mother waived her rights
and submitted on the allegations in the petitions. The Department submitted on their
jurisdiction and addendum reports. Father did not object to the Department’s reports.
Father objected to the denial of reunification services. It was in Minors’ best interests to
grant services. Minors had lived their whole lives with Father, and he provided for the
family prior to the dependency proceedings. Father had always been very involved in
Minors’ lives. Father also was requesting visits with Minors.
The juvenile court found all of the allegations in the petition true by a
preponderance of the evidence. In reaching this conclusion, the juvenile court stated,
“[B]ased on the information before the Court, the Court is not inclined to find by clear
and convincing evidence the (b)(1) and the (d)(1) allegation.” The juvenile court noted
“In thinking about those allegations in advance of the hearing, just to be totally
transparent, the Court really went back and forth to a certain degree. There’s evidence
obviously that after—first of all, what [A.G.] said to her mother, but there’s also evidence
that she retracted that a bit when she was subsequently interviewed. There’s an
examination that was confirmed for sexual abuse.” The juvenile court then stated, “But
in terms of how that connects to the bypass on (b)(6), the Court’s thought is that father’s
services can still be bypassed under (b)(6) because what that requires is that the Court
finds by clear and convincing evidence that an adjudication has occurred, not that the
allegations have been found true by that standard.” The juvenile court asked counsel for
the Department to confirm this was the law. The Department did not “object” to the
10
juvenile court’s view of the law. The juvenile court confirmed it was finding the
allegations in the petitions true by a preponderance of the evidence.
The juvenile court further ordered that Mother was to retain custody of Minors
under a family maintenance plan. The juvenile court stated, “There’s clear and
convincing evidence of the circumstances stated in Welfare and Institutions Code Section
361” regarding Father. It further stated, “With regard to the reunification services for
father, the Court finds there’s clear and convincing evidence that [Father] is the person
described in Welfare [and] Institutions Code section 361.5[, subdivision] (b)(6), and
reunification services are denied, as those services are not in the best interest of
[Minors].” Father was denied visitation rights with Minors.
A permanent restraining order, expiring on February 6, 2027, was granted by the
juvenile court over Father’s objection. He was to have no contact with Minors. Father
filed an appeal on February 26, 2024.
DISCUSSION
Father contends the jurisdictional findings of sexual abuse for the section 300,
subdivision (b), (d), and (j) allegations should be reversed because insufficient evidence
supported that A.G. was sexually abused by him. He insists A.G. did not disclose such
abuse during a forensic interview. Further, the juvenile court erred by relying on medical
examination information without the actual examination report being submitted by the
Department and without hearing expert testimony on the results. Further, since there was
no substantial evidence of sexual abuse, the dispositional bypass orders based on those
findings must be reversed.
11
Section 300, subdivision (b)(1) provides for jurisdiction if “the child has suffered,
or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer, serious physical harm or illness.” A
jurisdictional finding under section 300(b)(1) requires the Department to prove the
following elements by a preponderance of the evidence: “(1) neglectful conduct, failure,
or inability by the parent; (2) causation; and (3) serious physical harm or illness or a
substantial risk of serious physical harm or illness.” (In re L.W. (2019) 32 Cal.App.5th
840, 848.) Subdivision (d) of section 300 provides, “The child has been sexually abused,
or there is a substantial risk that the child will be sexually abused, as defined in Section
11165.1 of the Penal Code, by the child’s parent or guardian or a member of the child’s
household, or the parent or guardian has failed to adequately protect the child from sexual
abuse when the parent or guardian knew or reasonably should have known that the child
was in danger of sexual abuse.”
Section 300, subdivision (j), provides, “The child’s sibling has been abused or
neglected, as defined in subdivision (a), (b), (d), (e), or (i), and there is a substantial risk
that the child will be abused or neglected, as defined in those subdivisions. The court
shall consider the circumstances surrounding the abuse or neglect of the sibling, the age
and gender of each child, the nature of the abuse or neglect of the sibling, the mental
condition of the parent or guardian, and any other factors the court considers probative in
determining whether there is a substantial risk to the child.” “[W]here, . . . , a child has
been sexually abused, any younger sibling who is approaching the age at which the child
was abused, may be found to be at risk of sexual abuse.” (In re P.A. (2006) 144
Cal.App.4th 1339, 1347 (P.A.).)
12
“The court need not wait until a child is seriously abused or injured to assume
jurisdiction and take steps necessary to protect the child.” (In re N.M. (2011) 197
Cal.App.4th 159, 165.) The burden of proof at the jurisdictional hearing is a
preponderance of the evidence. (In re I.C. (2018) 4 Cal.5th 869, 876 (I.C.); P.A., supra,
144 Cal.App.4th at p. 1344)
“ ‘In reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the
jurisdictional findings and disposition, we determine if substantial evidence, contradicted
or uncontradicted, supports them. “In making this determination, we draw all reasonable
inferences from the evidence to support the findings and orders of the dependency court;
we review the record in the light most favorable to the court’s determinations; and we
note that issues of fact and credibility are the province of the trial court.” [Citation.]
“We do not reweigh the evidence or exercise independent judgment, but merely
determine if there are sufficient facts to support the findings of the trial court.” ’ ” (In re
I.J. (2013) 56 Cal.4th 766, 773.)
In the petitions, it was alleged as (b-1) that Father sexually abused A.G. by
digitally penetrating her vagina and had been arrested on November 10, 2023, on charges
of engaging in oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child under the age of 10. An
examination of A.G. was conducted and a finding of vaginal trauma due to penetration
was confirmed. It was alleged pursuant to section 300, subdivision (d), sexual abuse, that
Father had sexually abused A.G. It was alleged pursuant to section 300, subdivision (j),
that the abuse of A.G. posed a risk of harm to St.G. and So.G. Father contends only that
13
the allegations in the petitions under section 300, subdivision (b), (d), and (j), the sexual
abuse allegations, are not supported by the evidence.
Here, Father and Mother came to the attention of the Department due to a
domestic violence incident on October 10, 2023. Once Father was out of the house, A.G.
disclosed that Father had touched her and pointed to her vagina. A.G. was crying and
told Mother that Father had told her not to tell anyone. A.G. participated in an initial
forensic interview and claimed no one had been touching her and she felt safe with
Father. A.G. was interviewed at her school on October 12, 2023. When she was asked if
Father had inappropriately touched her, she first responded “Yes.” She then immediately
said, “No.” She said she had been hurt by someone but gave no further details. The
follow-up medical examination was performed and was found conclusive for penetration
of her vagina. In the first examination, A.G.’s vagina was swollen and exhibiting
erythematous.5 A.G. was interviewed on November 16, 2023. She reported feeling safe
in the home without Father and that she was afraid of him. She stated that Father had
hurt her but gave no further details. A.G.’s siblings told the social workers they did not
believe A.G.’s accusations. Father stated he could have touched her vagina while
cleaning her. A.G. was interviewed one last time on December 28, 2023. She stated she
was not afraid of Father. She did not answer when asked if anyone touched her private
parts.
5 Erythematous is defined as “exhibiting abnormal redness of the skin or mucous membranes due to the accumulation of blood in dilated capillaries (as in inflammation).” (https://www.merriam.webster.com/dictionary/erythematous, as of Sept. 25, 2024)
14
The juvenile court considered the fact A.G. later recanted her claim that Father
had touched her but stated she only “retracted a bit” when she was subsequently
interviewed. It also relied on the medical examination that confirmed sexual abuse.” The
juvenile court reasonably could conclude that despite A.G. later recanting her statements,
there was some indicia of reliability based on the initial allegations and the later
confirmation when interviewed at her school. Moreover, her statements were
corroborated by Father admitting he may have touched her while cleaning her and was
corroborated by the medical examination, which the juvenile court properly considered.
The juvenile court properly found that the sexual abuse allegations were true by a
preponderance of the evidence.
Father insists the juvenile court erred by relying on the medical examination in
finding the sexual abuse occurred without viewing the actual report or hearing expert
testimony to explain the examination results. However, Father never objected to the
medical examination evidence presented by the Department in its reports.
“[W]hile . . . parents may question whether substantial evidence supports the
juvenile court’s findings . . . , by failing to object in juvenile court they have forfeited any
challenge to specific defects in the report, such as omission of required content or
insufficient discussion of required topics.” (In re Mary C. (2020) 48 Cal.App.5th 793,
801; see also In re Daniel B. (2014) 231 Cal.App.4th 663, 672 [“ ‘The purpose of this
rule is to encourage parties to bring errors to the attention of the trial court, so that they
may be corrected’ ”].) “By submitting on the social worker’s report, father acquiesced in
the juvenile court’s consideration of the evidence contained in the report, but retained the
15
right to challenge the sufficiency of that evidence to support the findings. (P.A., supra,
144 Cal.App.4th at p. 1344.)6
Father never objected to the admission of the social worker’s statements regarding
an email that she received about the follow-up medical examination. This information
was included in the detention report, the jurisdiction/disposition report, and the
addendum report. Father presented no affirmative evidence to contradict the medical
information. The juvenile court could reasonably rely on the results of the medical
examination to support its jurisdictional findings as it was conclusive of sexual abuse.
The Department raised this issue in the respondent’s brief, that Father waived the
issue by failing to object to the evidence in the juvenile court. Father has provided no
argument nor acknowledged that there was no objection to the social worker’s statements
about the medical examination in the reply brief. Father simply states that the evidence
of the social worker’s summary of the medical report was insufficient to support the
(b)(1), (d), and (j) allegations in the petition. Father failed to object to the medical
examination evidence, and the trial court could properly consider it in reaching its
conclusion that a preponderance of the evidence established that Father sexually abused
A.G. Any arguments by Father regarding the medical examination evidence have been
6 On appeal, the Department has brought a request to augment the record with the medical examination. Father objects, arguing that it was never before the trial court and is not properly considered on appeal. We agree with Father and deny the Department’s request to augment the record on appeal. (See In re K.M. (2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 450, 456 [“ ‘Augmentation does not function to supplement the record with materials not before the trial court’ ”].)
16
forfeited on appeal. The juvenile court properly determined that a preponderance of the
evidence showed the allegation of sexual abuse by Father against A.G. was true.7
Father also relies on I.C., supra, 4 Cal.5th 869, to support his claim that the sexual
abuse allegations should be reversed because A.G.’s statements did not have an indicia of
reliability. In I.C., it was alleged that the child in the case, who was three years old, had
been sexually abused by Father. The child had told her mother that “ ‘My dad put his
penis on me,’ ” but the next day said she was “ ‘just kidding.’ ” The child had been
molested by an older child prior to these allegations. (I.C., supra, 4 Cal.5th at p. 878.)
The child was interviewed several times and stated that her father had touched her vagina
with his penis. A social worker determined that the child was not able to tell the
difference between a truth and a lie. (Id. at pp. 878-879.) The results of a medical
examination were inconclusive. (Id. at p. 878.) The juvenile court, in ruling on the
allegations, stated that it only had the hearsay statements of the three-year-old child, and
at times she appeared to be confused. However, she also had repeated the allegations
several times. It found the evidence supporting the reliability of the child’s statements
more compelling. (Id. at pp. 881-882.)
The California Supreme Court found that the proper test for evaluating the child’s
statements was “whether the ‘ “ time, content and circumstances of the statement provide
sufficient indicia of reliability.’ ” (I.C., supra, 4 Cal.5th. at p. 889.) Based on the
7 Father only argues on appeal that there was insufficient evidence to support that he sexually abused A.G. He makes no further argument as to St.G. and So.G. and the risk of harm to them as required for the finding of jurisdiction pursuant to section 300, subdivision (j).
17
evidence, the court reversed the jurisdictional findings noting that the evidence of the
prior molestation made this “an unusual situation,” and her confusing statements did not
show an indicia of reliability. (Id. at pp. 893-896.)
This case differs from I.C. in many respects. Initially, A.G. was five years old
rather than the three-year-old child in I.C. In addition, there was no prior molestation and
A.G. did not appear to be confused about the allegations she was making. However, the
most compelling difference in this case was that the medical examination evidence
supported there had been sexual abuse—unlike in I.C. The juvenile court properly
determined the sexual abuse allegations were supported by a preponderance of the
evidence.
Father only argues that this court should reverse the dispositional bypass order if
we find that there was no substantial evidence of sexual abuse of A.G. We have found
the juvenile court’s determination on the sexual abuse was supported by substantial
evidence. Accordingly, we also affirm the disposition bypass order.
DISPOSITION
The juvenile court’s jurisdictional and dispositional orders are affirmed.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
MILLER Acting P. J. We concur:
CODRINGTON J.
FIELDS J.
18
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court affirmed the juvenile court's jurisdictional and dispositional orders, finding that substantial evidence supported the conclusion that the father sexually abused his daughter and that the father forfeited his challenge to the medical evidence by failing to object in the trial court.
Issues
Whether there was sufficient evidence to support the jurisdictional findings of sexual abuse under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300.
Whether the juvenile court erred in relying on medical examination summaries without the underlying report or expert testimony.
Whether the father forfeited his challenge to the medical evidence by failing to object in the trial court.
Disposition. Affirmed
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“The juvenile court reasonably could conclude that despite A.G. later recanting her statements, there was some indicia of reliability based on the initial allegations and the later confirmation when interviewed at her school.”
“Father failed to object to the medical examination evidence, and the trial court could properly consider it in reaching its conclusion that a preponderance of the evidence established that Father sexually abused A.G.”
“The juvenile court properly determined that a preponderance of the evidence showed the allegation of sexual abuse by Father against A.G. was true.”