In re S.D. CA2/3

California Court of Appeal Jan 15, 2026 No. B341606Unpublished

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Holding. The court affirmed the juvenile court's jurisdictional findings and dispositional orders, concluding that substantial evidence supported the finding that the mother physically abused her children and that they remained at substantial risk of future harm.

Issues

Whether the juvenile court's jurisdictional findings were supported by substantial evidence of nonaccidental physical abuse.
Whether the juvenile court erred in finding that the children were at substantial risk of future harm based on the mother's history of conduct.
Whether the mother's physical conduct toward her children constituted reasonable parental discipline.

Disposition. Affirmed

Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion

“The juvenile court may assume dependency jurisdiction if “[t]he child has suffered, or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer, serious physical harm inflicted nonaccidentally upon the child by the child’s parent or guardian.””

“We review jurisdictional findings “ ‘ “in the light of the whole record” ’ ‘to determine whether it discloses substantial evidence—that is, evidence which is reasonable, credible, and of solid value . . . .’ ””

“Evidence from a single witness, even a party, can be sufficient to support the trial court’s findings.”

Filed 1/15/26 In re S.D. CA2/3

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION THREE

B341606 In re S.D. et al., Persons Coming Under the Juvenile Court Law. (Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. 24CCJP01755A–D)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

L.D.,

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL from orders of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Jean M. Nelson, Judge. Affirmed. Mauricio J. Fusco, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant.

Dawyn R. Harrison, County Counsel, Kim Nemoy, Assistant County Counsel, Jessica S. Mitchell, Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

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Appellant L.D. (mother) appeals from juvenile court jurisdictional findings and dispositional orders sustaining a petition filed under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 and asserting dependency jurisdiction over her four minor children, S.D., J.D., C.I., and J.R.1 We affirm. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND On November 13, 2023, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received a report that mother hit S.D. in the face. A school staff member observed that S.D. had a black eye. The referral was deemed substantiated, but the case was closed because mother declined services. On April 11, 2024, DCFS received a referral alleging that mother physically abused J.D. According to the referral, mother found J.D. watching television in mother’s room and began to yell at the child. Mother threatened to hit J.D., counted to three, and then used her fist to hit J.D. on her head, back, and arm. Mother then grabbed the child’s hair and “took her to the ground.” J.D. reported that mother said she would “ ‘kill her’ ” during the altercation and at least five or six times in the past. J.D.’s adult sibling, E.D., broke up the fight. J.D. left the home and walked

In re S.D. CA2/3

AI Brief

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION THREE

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,

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NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

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