In re Nathan A. CA2/7

Filed 3/10/26 In re Nathan A. CA2/7 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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 SEVEN

In re Nathan A. et al., Persons B344556 Coming Under the Juvenile Court Law. (Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. 21CCJP05659C-D)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

ZULEIKA A.,

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL from orders of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Cathy J. Ostiller, Judge. Dismissed. James W. Tritt, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant.

Dawyn R. Harrison, County Counsel, Kim Nemoy, Assistant County Counsel, and Sally Son, Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and Respondent. _______________________

In January 2025 the juvenile court sustained counts in a petition by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services under Welfare & Institutions Code section 300, subdivisions (a) and (b),1 alleging Zuleika A. and Francisco R., the parents of Nathan A. and his sister Zuleika Jr., had a history of ongoing domestic violence in the presence of their children, including incidents where Zuleika hit Francisco in the face. The court also sustained a count under section 300, subdivision (b), alleging Zuleika had a history of, and was currently, abusing alcohol and marijuana. At disposition the court declared Nathan and Zuleika Jr., who at the time were 10 years old and three years old, respectively, dependent children of the juvenile court, removed them from Zuleika, and placed them with Francisco with a home- of-father order. The court found that the Department made reasonable efforts to prevent removal and that Zuleika, though she had recently started an outpatient drug treatment program, needed “to spend a little more time addressing her substance abuse issues before it’s safe to place the children with her.” The court stated: “I think if we can resolve the substance abuse issues, we’ll be in a better position to resolve the domestic violence issues as well, which will then make the home a safer