In re C.F. CA3

Filed 2/11/25 In re C.F. CA3 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published,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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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 THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT (San Joaquin) ----

In re C.F., a Person Coming Under the Juvenile Court C099217 Law.

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES (Super. Ct. No. STK-JD-DP- AGENCY, 2022-0000034)

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

C.F.,

Defendant and Appellant.

Three-year-old J.L. died from dehydration. He had various injuries on his emaciated body. His nine siblings and half siblings, including then 14-year-old C.F., were taken into protective custody. Mother Christina L. and father/stepfather Jose L. were arrested for willful harm or injury to a child. In hearings involving mother, Jose L., and C.F.’s biological father Joel B., the juvenile court found that the children came within its jurisdiction under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivisions (a), (b), (g), (i) and (j).1

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

1

Mother now appeals from dispositional orders pertaining to C.F.2 She contends the juvenile court abused its discretion in denying reunification services because the juvenile court did not consider C.F.’s feelings about reunifying with her. Finding no merit in the contention, we will affirm the juvenile court’s dispositional orders pertaining to C.F. BACKGROUND City of Stockton Fire Department personnel were dispatched to the home of three-year-old J.L. on the evening of January 14, 2022, in response to a 911 call by J.L.’s 17-year-old half-brother A.B. J.L. was blue around the face and had no pulse. There were various injuries on J.L.’s body and red-colored vomit in his playpen. J.L. was transported to the hospital. Hospital records show J.L. had an abrasion and hematoma on his forehead, signs of trauma to the extremities and head, minor old wounds and abrasions in various stages of healing, a rash around the groin and abdomen, and skin breakdown around the buttocks. There were clinical concerns J.L. was malnourished with signs of trauma and suspected neglect. J.L. was pronounced dead at 10:52 p.m. The San Joaquin County Office of the Medical Examiner subsequently identified hyponatremic dehydration due to probable unexplained chronic vomiting as the immediate cause of J.L.’s death. COVID infection was a contributing factor in the death. J.L. tested positive for a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolite. The medical examiner also noted the presence of a number of injuries on J.L.’s body. Weighing only about 17 pounds, he was below the fifth percentile in weight and height for his age. Ten children lived in the home. Jose L. is the alleged father of the seven youngest children. Joel B. is the biological father of C.F. There was evidence that alcohol and