In re L.D. CA4/1 ( 2022 )

Filed 8/9/22 In re L.D. CA4/1
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COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
In re L.D. et al., Persons Coming
Under the Juvenile Court Law.
D080150
SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES
AGENCY, (Super. Ct. Nos. EJ4459A-C)
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
J.S. et al.,
Defendants and Appellants.
APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of San Diego County,
Marissa A. Bejarano, Judge. Conditionally reversed and remanded with
directions.
Richard Pfeiffer, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Defendant and Appellant J.S., Father.
Jacob I. Olson, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Defendant and Appellant L.S., Mother.
Claudia Silva, Acting County Counsel, Caitlin E. Rae, Chief Deputy
County Counsel, and Tahra Broderson, Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff
and Respondent.
Defendant and appellant J.S. (Father) appeals from the juvenile court’s
orders terminating his parental rights over his sons J.L.E.S. and J.A.E.S.
Defendant and appellant L.S. (Mother) appeals from the juvenile court’s
orders terminating her parental rights over J.L.E.S., J.A.E.S., and L.D.1
Father’s only contention on appeal is that substantial evidence does not
support the juvenile court’s finding that the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA;
25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.) did not apply to the proceedings. Mother joins in
Father’s arguments. Plaintiff and respondent San Diego County Health and
Human Services Agency (Agency) concedes in a letter brief that a conditional
reversal and a limited remand is appropriate to ensure ICWA compliance.
The parties have stipulated to the immediate issuance of remittitur. We
accept the Agency’s concession, conditionally reverse the judgment, and
remand for compliance with ICWA.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2
The Agency initiated these dependency proceedings under Welfare and
Institutions Code section 300 subdivision (b)(1)3 on behalf of J.L.E.S.,
J.A.E.S., and L.D. (collectively referred to as the children) in September 2019,
1 L.D.’s presumed father, C.D. is not a party to this appeal.
2 In light of the limited scope of this appeal, we provide an abbreviated
summary of the dependency proceedings focused on the facts relevant to the
issue on appeal.
3 All further section references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code
unless otherwise indicated.
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alleging there was a substantial risk the children would suffer serious
physical harm or illness based on Mother’s failure to provide adequate
supervision or protection. The agency alleged Mother was fearful of Father
because he appeared to be under the influence of drugs, but she nonetheless
allowed him to sleep in the home with the children. J.S. took J.A.E.S., who
was three years old at the time, from the home, stole a vehicle, and drove
erratically with J.A.E.S. unrestrained in the stolen vehicle. Father was
arrested and admitted methamphetamine use. The Agency further alleged
Mother and Father have a violent and volatile history, including Father
choking Mother in the presence of J.A.E.S. in July 2016, and Father lighting
himself on fire in front of Mother and one of the children, then threatening to
kill Mother and the children in October 2018. The Agency alleged Mother
has a history of allowing Father back into the home despite the danger he
presents to the children. Mother and Father failed to progress in services,
and the court terminated parental rights in March 2022.
In its September 23, 2019 detention report, the Agency reported that
Father denied any Indian ancestry. Father also completed an ICWA-020
Parental Notification of Indian Status form stating he had no Indian
ancestry.
C.D., L.D.’s presumed father, also completed an ICWA-020 form stating
he had no Indian ancestry. However, in its detention report, the Agency
reported that C.D. claimed Mother is “Blacktoe” and half Apache.
The Agency also reported that Mother stated she had Cherokee
ancestry. Mother then completed an ICWA-020 form on September 25, 2019,
claiming Santa Ysabel and Barona ancestry. She completed a second ICWA-
020 form on October 29, 2019, claiming Cherokee and Santa Ysabel Indian
ancestry.
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In its addendum report dated November 13, 2019, the Agency reported
that maternal grandmother stated Mother was mistaken about her Indian
ancestry. According to maternal grandmother, Mother’s family was not
Santa Ysabel or Barona, and Mother may have thought they were because
they attended the Santa Ysabel church when Mother was a child and
maternal grandfather and maternal uncle helped to build the church.
Maternal grandmother claimed that they may have Cherokee, Blackfeet, and
Taino ancestry based on a DNA test that her brother (maternal granduncle)
completed. She also stated their Indian ancestry originated from Chihuahua,
Mexico.
The Agency spoke to maternal grandmother’s brother’s wife (maternal
grandaunt-in-law), who stated her husband’s (maternal granduncle) DNA
test results indicated he is 23 percent Cherokee and Taino Indian combined,
but denied any Blackfeet ancestry. She stated Taino is a tribe originating
from Puerto Rico, but their ancestors originate from Chihuahua, Mexico.
In sum, the tribes that arose during the Agency’s inquiries were
Blackfeet, Apache, Cherokee, Santa Ysabel, Barona, and Taino. There are
three recognized Cherokee tribes: United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee
Indians in Oklahoma (United Keetoowah Band), Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians (Eastern Band), and Cherokee Nation. (See Indian Entities
Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States
Bureau of Indian Affairs, 86 Fed.Reg. 7554 (Jan. 29, 2021).)
On October 24, 2019, the Agency spoke with a representative of the
Barona tribe, who indicated neither Mother nor maternal grandfather are in
their system. However, the representative stated the Agency must formally
notice the Barona tribe.
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The Agency called the Santa Ysabel tribe on October 24, 2019 and
October 30, 2019 with no answer.
On October 30, 2019, the Agency spoke with someone from Indian
Health Counsel, who stated that she spoke with representatives from both
Barona and Santa Ysabel and that the representatives could find no
connection with the children.
On November 6, 2019, the Agency sent an inquiry email to the
Blackfeet tribe. On November 8, 2019, the Blackfeet tribe stated they only
reply to written letters sent by certified mail. The Agency mailed an ICWA
letter by certified mail that same day. The parties do not contend, and we
have found nothing in the record reflecting any responses from or further
communications with the Blackfeet tribe.
The Agency also sent inquiry emails to the three Cherokee tribes, on
November 6, 2019.
Cherokee Nation requested names and dates of birth for the children
and biological parents to respond to the inquiry. The Agency sent the
requested information via fax. That same day, November 6, 2019, Cherokee
Nation confirmed the names do not appear on the tribal registry as enrolled
members.
The United Keetoowah Band requested inquiry in writing by certified
mail. That same day, November 6, 2019, the Agency mailed an ICWA
inquiry letter via certified mail to this tribe. The parties do not contend, and
we have found nothing in the record reflecting any responses from or further
communications with the United Keetoowah Band.
On November 25, 2019, the Agency sent an inquiry letter to the
Eastern Band by certified mail. On January 27, 2020, the Agency received
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response letters from the Eastern Band confirming that the children were not
registered nor eligible to register as members of that tribe.
The Agency reported that it submitted an ICWA-030 Notice of Child
Custody Proceeding for Indian Child form on October 9, 2019, but did not
identify to whom it submitted the form—whether it was to tribes, or family
members to fill out, or to one of the Agency’s ICWA specialists to process.
The forms could not be found in the juvenile court record.
In its February 10, 2020 addendum report, the Agency indicated it was
still awaiting a response from the Cherokee and Blackfeet tribes. However,
the Agency noted that maternal grandmother and maternal grandaunt-in-
law stated that the Indian ancestry originates from Chihuahua, Mexico,
which would not be a federally recognized tribe. Additionally, if maternal
granduncle was only 23 percent Cherokee and Taino combined, the children
would not meet the 25 percent Cherokee certificate degree of Indian blood
requirement.
At the pretrial settlement conference on February 10, 2020, the Agency
requested that the court making a finding that ICWA does not apply because
the Agency inquired with all applicable tribes, which gave rise to no reason to
know the children are Indian children. The juvenile court found that ICWA
does not apply.
At the contested section 366.26 hearing on March 10, 2022, the juvenile
court again found that ICWA does not apply to the proceedings. The court
terminated parental rights and this appeal followed.
DISCUSSION
Father argues substantial evidence does not support the juvenile
court’s finding that ICWA did not apply to the proceedings. Father contends
the Agency’s initial inquiry in this case gave rise to a “reason to believe” the
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children were Indian children, and the Agency failed to comply with the
requirements under ICWA and section 224.2. The Agency concedes that the
case should be remanded for compliance with ICWA. Accordingly, we
conditionally reverse the judgment and remand for compliance with ICWA
and section 224.2.
Congress enacted ICWA to address concerns regarding the separation
of Indian children from their tribes through adoption or foster care placement
with non-Indian families. (In re Isaiah W. (2016) 1 Cal.5th 1, 7.) Under
California law adopted pursuant to ICWA, the juvenile court and Agency
have an “affirmative and continuing duty to inquire” whether a child “is or
may be an Indian child.” (§ 224.2, subd. (a); see Isaiah W., at p. 9.)
As outlined by this court in In re D.S. (2020) 46 Cal.App.5th 1041, 1052
(In re D.S.), “section 224.2 creates three distinct duties regarding ICWA in
dependency proceedings. First, from the Agency’s initial contact with a
minor and his family, the statute imposes a duty of inquiry to ask all involved
persons whether the child may be an Indian child. (§ 224.2, subds. (a), (b).)
Second, if that initial inquiry creates a ‘reason to believe’ the child is an
Indian child, then the Agency ‘shall make further inquiry regarding the
possible Indian status of the child, and shall make that inquiry as soon as
practicable.’ (Id., subd. (e), italics added.) Third, if that further inquiry
results in a reason to know the child is an Indian child, then the formal notice
requirements of section 224.3 apply.”
After a “reason to believe” that an Indian child is involved has been
established, further inquiry regarding the possible Indian status of the child
is required. (§ 224.2, subd. (e).) The duty of further inquiry includes (1)
interviewing the parents and extended family members; (2) contacting the
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and State Department of Social Services for
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assistance in identifying the names and contact information of the tribes in
which the child may be a member, or eligible for membership; and (3)
contacting tribes and anyone else that might have information regarding the
child’s membership or eligibility in a tribe. (Id., subd. (e)(2).)
“On appeal, we review the juvenile court’s ICWA findings for
substantial evidence.” (In re D.S., supra, 46 Cal.App.5th at p. 1051.)
However, where the facts are undisputed, we independently determine
whether ICWA’s requirements have been satisfied. (Ibid.)
Father first argues substantial evidence does not support the court’s
ICWA finding because the Agency’s reports do not contain copies of
correspondences exchanged with the tribes. The Agency concedes it should
have filed the ICWA-030 forms and the inquiry letter it sent to the United
Keetoowah Band. The Agency also concedes it should have sent the Barona
tribe formal ICWA notice as the Barona tribe requested.
We conclude the Agency was not required to file its communications
with the tribes where there was only a “reason to believe” requiring further
inquiry, and not a “reason to know” requiring formal notice. (See § 224.2,
subd. (e)(2)(C) [when there is a “reason to believe” a child is an Indian child,
further inquiry includes contacting tribes by “telephone, facsimile, or
electronic mail”], italics added; compare with § 224.3, subds. (a)(1), (c) [when
there is a “reason to know” a child is an Indian child, formal notice “shall be
sent by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested” and “[p]roof
of the notice, including copies of notices sent and all return receipts and
responses received, shall be filed with the court”], italics added.) Because
Father does not contend there was a “reason to know” any of the children are
Indian children, the Agency was not required to file the contents of the
Agency’s further inquiry communications with tribes. However, the Agency
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should have sent the Barona tribe formal notice as requested. (§ 224.2, subd.
(e)(2)(C) [when conducting further inquiry, “[c]ontact with a tribe shall
include sharing information identified by the tribe as necessary for the tribe
to make a membership or eligibility determination . . . .”].)
Second, Father argues the Agency failed to satisfy its duty to interview
all extended family members to gather information to provide to the tribes,
but did not specify which family members the Agency failed to interview.
The Agency concedes it should have asked maternal grandfather, L.D.’s
paternal grandmother, and J.L.E.S.’s and J.A.E.S.’s paternal great-aunt
about potential ICWA ancestry.
ICWA defines “ ‘extended family member’ ” by “the law or custom of the
Indian child’s tribe” or, absent such law or custom, as “a person who has
reached the age of eighteen and who is the Indian child’s grandparent, aunt
or uncle, brother or sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, niece or nephew,
first or second cousin, or stepparent.” (25 U.S.C. § 1903(2); § 224.1, subd. (c)
[“ ‘extended family member’ . . . defined as provided in [§] 1903” of ICWA].)
The Agency should have made an ICWA inquiry of maternal
grandfather, who testified in court by telephone at one point, and L.D.’s
paternal grandmother, who the Agency spoke to on at least one occasion. It
is unclear to whom the Agency refers when it concedes that it should have
asked J.L.E.S.’s and J.A.E.S.’s paternal great-aunt about potential ICWA
ancestry. Nonetheless, the Agency is not required to make an ICWA inquiry
of that person because a great-aunt is not someone who qualifies as an
extended family member. (See 25 U.S.C. § 1903(2).)
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Third, Father argues the Agency failed to contact the Taino tribe. The
Agency argues the Taino tribe is not federally recognized. The Agency is
correct and was therefore not required to contact the Taino tribe. (See 86
Fed.Reg. 7554 (Jan. 29, 2021).)
The Agency added a fourth concession on an issue not raised by Father
or Mother. The Agency indicated that it should have asked Mother whether
she believed she had Apache ancestry based on L.D.’s father’s statement that
Mother is half Apache. The Agency was not statutorily required to ask
Mother if she had Apache ancestry where the Agency asked Mother about
potential Indian ancestry, Mother filled out an ICWA-020 form on two
separate occasions, and Mother never claimed Apache ancestry.
DISPOSITION
The juvenile court’s orders terminating parental rights are
conditionally reversed. The matter is remanded to the juvenile court with
directions to comply with the inquiry provisions of ICWA and section 224.2
(and, if applicable, the notice provisions under section 224.3). If, after
completing its inquiry, neither the Agency nor the juvenile court has reason
to believe or reason to know J.L.E.S., J.A.E.S., and/or L.D. are Indian
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children, the order terminating parental rights shall be reinstated. If the
Agency or the juvenile court has reason to believe or reason to know J.L.E.S.,
J.A.E.S., and/or L.D. are Indian children, the juvenile court shall proceed
accordingly. Remittitur shall issue immediately.
HUFFMAN, Acting P. J.
WE CONCUR:
HALLER, J.
BUCHANAN, J.
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