Kern County Department of Human Services v. Michael U.

Opinion

VARTABEDIAN, J.

When does an alleged biological father become a “party” in a dependency proceeding? We answer this question, as well as due process inquiries, in the context of a minor father who has failed to personally assume any responsibility for his child. Here, appellant Michael U. became named as the alleged birth father of Emily R., the subject of already ongoing dependency proceedings. The juvenile court entered orders of detention, jurisdiction, disposition, and review; the court additionally made findings at several junctures determining sufficient efforts were made to notify…