In an appeal from the juvenile court’s order terminating parental rights, the Court of Appeal remanded for compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), because the juvenile court and Human Services Agency failed to comply with ICWA’s inquiry and notice requirements. Because the record did not disclose in any level of detail what efforts were made to identify and locate paternal relatives and no ICWA information was obtained regarding father’s paternal side, the Court of Appeal further ordered the agency to provide to the juvenile court, at a minimum, efforts to identify and locate paternal relatives. In the event the agency has already done so, that information should be provided to the court so it may make an informed decision in determining the adequacy of the agency’s efforts.
Name: In re: A.S.
Case #: F085939
Opinion Date: 08/04/2023
Attorney: Jacques A. Love
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