Los Angeles County Department of Children & Family Services v. Jackson W.

Opinion

VOGEL, J.

After years of bouncing from foster home to foster home, eight-year-old Elizabeth W. has a chance at a normal life as the adopted child of her present caregivers. The only thing standing between Elizabeth and the pot of gold at the end of her rainbow is her father’s challenge to the Department of Children and Family Services’ failure to comply with the notice requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Because we must, we hold that Elizabeth’s chance at stability will be delayed—but we publish this opinion with the hope that other children will fare better in the future, and…