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8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9 SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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11 SHEILA GARCIA, CASSANDRA Case No.: 15-CV-189 JLS (NLS)
GARCIA, C.N.G., a minor, and C.J.G., a
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minor, by and through their Guardian Ad ORDER: (1) DENYING
13 Litem, DONALD WALKER PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR
Plaintiffs, SUMMARY JUDGMENT; (2)
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GRANTING IN PART AND
15 v. DENYING IN PART COUNTY OF
SAN DIEGO’S MOTION FOR
16 COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, SAN
SUMMARY JUDGMENT; AND
DIEGO HEALTH AND HUMAN
17 (3) GRANTING IN PART AND
SERVICES AGENCY, POLINKSY
DENYING IN PART INDIVIDUAL
18 CHILDREN’S CENTER, CAITLIN
DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR
MCCANN, GLORIA ESCAMILLA-
19 SUMMARY JUDGMENT
HUIDOR, SRISUDA WALSH, JESUS
20 SALCIDO, MARTHA PALAFOX,
(ECF Nos. 113, 118, 121)
LAURA QUINTANILLA, and Does 1
21
through 10, inclusive,
22 Defendants.
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24 Presently before the Court are cross-motions for summary judgment. Plaintiffs have
25 filed a Motion for Summary Judgment, (“Pl. MSJ,” ECF No. 113), and Defendants have
26 filed two MSJs. The first is by the County of San Diego, (“County MSJ,” ECF No. 118).
27 The second is by Defendants Caitlin McCann, Gloria Escamilla-Huidor, Jesus Salcido,
28 Martha Palafox, Laura Quintanilla, and Srisuda Walsh, (“Individuals MSJ,” ECF No. 121).

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1 Plaintiffs filed Responses in Opposition to Defendants’ MSJs, (“Pl. Opp’n to County,”

2 ECF No. 148; “Pl. Opp’n to Individ.,” ECF No. 148-1). Defendants collectively filed a
3 Response in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ MSJ, (“Def. Opp’n,” ECF No. 151). Plaintiffs filed
4 a Reply in Support of their MSJ, (“Pl. Reply,” ECF No. 157), as did the County, (“County
5 Reply,” ECF No. 158), and the Individual Defendants, (“Individuals Reply,” ECF No.
6 161).
7 The Court held oral argument on the Motions on June 7, 2018. After considering
8 the Parties’ arguments and the law, the Court rules as follows.
9 BACKGROUND
10 Plaintiffs Sheila Garcia, Cassandra Garcia, CNG, a minor, and CJG, a minor, filed a
11 Complaint against the County of San Diego, San Diego Health and Human Services
12 Agency, Polinsky Children’s Center, and various individuals: Caitlin McCann, Gloria
13 Escamilla-Huidor, Jesus Salcido, Martha Palafox, Laura Quintanilla (now Laura Morris),
14 and Srisuda Walsh (hereinafter, “Individual Defendants”). (“Compl.,” ECF No. 1.)
15 Plaintiffs Cassandra Garcia (“Cassandra”) and CNG and CJG (“Minors”) resided
16 with their mother, Plaintiff Sheila Garcia (“Sheila”) and their father, Rudy Garcia
17 (“Rudy”). Cassandra had mental health problems, depression, and anxiety, and was
18 hospitalized for six days in the psychiatric ward of Rady’s Children’s Hospital in early
19 October 2012. (Pl. MSJ 6.)1 When Cassandra returned to school after these six days, she
20 told people she was pregnant to explain why she had been absent. (Id. at 7.) On or about
21 October 17, 2012, Sheila and Rudy found out about this, confronted Cassandra, and “an
22 emotional discussion ensued.” (Id.) Sheila and Rudy were drinking during the discussion,
23 having one or two drinks each. (Id.) After the argument, Cassandra went upstairs and laid
24 down in her parents’ bed where her sisters CNG and CJG were asleep. When Rudy went
25 to bed later, he saw a figure which he believed to be his wife, and went to wake her up,
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Pin citations refer to the CM/ECF page numbers electronically stamped at the top of each page.

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1 then “took one picture of who he believed” was his wife, and walked out.2 (Id. at 8)
2 Cassandra had woken up when Rudy touched her, and “didn’t know what was going on.”
3 (Id.)
4 The next day, Rudy apologized, and Cassandra “said it was OK” but when she told
5 Sheila, Sheila asked Rudy to leave the house. (Id.) Rudy went to stay with his cousin.
6 Later, Rudy “explained the mistaken identity” and Cassandra confirmed her understanding
7 that Rudy had mistaken her for her mother. (Id.) After October 2012, Cassandra continued
8 to receive psychiatric and therapeutic care, but still struggled with anxiety and depression.
9 On January 21, 2013, the Garcias took Cassandra to the emergency room “because she had
10 threatened to walk into traffic or take pills” and Cassandra was placed on a psychiatric
11 hold. (Id. at 8.) On January 22, 2013, Cassandra was hospitalized for emotional problems
12 and the next day she told a hospital social worker (Debra Bernaderet) about the October
13 2012 incident with her father. She stated her “parents drink [until] vomiting regularly” and
14 one evening, her mother “became ill from drinking” and her father came into the room and
15 “began to ‘fondle [Cassandra] and take nude pictures of her.’” (Id. (quoting ECF No. 125-
16 42, at 13 (social work form/psychosocial assessment completed by Bernaderet)).)
17 Bernaderet reported Cassandra was crying profusely during the conversation and that she
18 expressed anxiety that this would be reported to Child Protective Services (“CPS”). (Id.)
19 Bernaderet made a mandatory referral to CPS by calling the hotline and filing a report.
20 Defendant McCann, who worked for the Health and Human Services Agency
21 (“HHSA”), was assigned to the case on January 23, 2013. (Id. at 9.) McCann’s supervisor
22 was Defendant Gloria Escamilla-Huidor. McCann interviewed Cassandra on January 28,
23 2013. (Id.) At this time, McCann was accompanied by a detective from the Chula Vista
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Rudy states he took this picture because he and his wife play a “little game where if you were asleep in
26 an odd position” or “look funny” they would “take a picture of each other and then . . . clown each other
later.” (“Rudy Depo.,” ECF No. 125-10, at 27.) It is unclear to the Court how Rudy believed the person
27 in the bed was in an “odd position” when he also testified the room was dark. (Id. at 25.) He also testified
28 that he was able to see his other two daughters in the bed, one lying on her side and one lying on her back.
(Id.)

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1 Police Department, Detective Hinzman. In Hinzman’s follow-up report, she summarized

2 Cassandra’s statement as follows: father started drinking, mother went to bed in
3 Cassandra’s bed, and father was unaware Cassandra and the mother had switched beds.
4 Father went into the room and “rubbed Cassandra’s leg and her stomach. He took one
5 photo of Cassandra’s leg.” He realized he was “fooling w/ the wrong person” and went
6 downstairs, then apologized to Cassandra the next morning. This was an “isolated
7 incident” and “Cassandra feels it was accidental.” (ECF No. 125-40, at 3.)
8 McCann states she spoke to Cassandra privately after the interview and Cassandra
9 made other disclosures. (Pl. MSJ 10.) Cassandra stated that in October 2012, she and her
10 parents were arguing because Cassandra had told her friends she was pregnant, which was
11 not true. (McCann Decl. ¶ 10.) During this argument, her father was “pounding down
12 whiskey shots” and her mother was drinking too and eventually threw up. (Id.) Cassandra
13 then relayed the story of Rudy touching her while she lay in her parents’ bed, stating Rudy
14 “lifted up her shirt and began to rub her stomach. As he did so, he was rubbing the underside
15 of her breasts.” He then took a picture of her and left. The next morning, Rudy apologized
16 and said he was “just really drunk” and deleted the picture he had taken of Cassandra in
17 the bed. Cassandra and Rudy both moved out separately, and moved back after a couple
18 weeks. Rudy stopped drinking, but then began drinking again. Cassandra said her parents
19 drank nightly, drinking wine and whiskey, and “when her parents drank, she would feed
20 her sisters, then bring them down to her room, watch a movie with them, and put them to
21 bed.” (Id.)
22 Plaintiffs have included a declaration by Cassandra who states McCann did not
23 interview her separately and apart from Detective Hinzman and she “never told McCann
24 that [her] father rubbed the underside of [her] breasts.” (“Cassandra Decl.,” ECF No. 148-
25 3, ¶¶ 4–5.)3 Hinzman’s statement also includes none of the details reported by McCann.
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At her deposition, Cassandra states she told McCann that the incident was an “accident.” (ECF No. 125-
9, at 36.)

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1 Hinzman later testified that she does not know whether McCann spoke to Cassandra before
2 or after Hinzman arrived at the hospital but she does not think this occurred. (ECF No.
3 125-17, at 8.)
4 McCann states she met with Bernaderet who completed a psychosocial assessment
5 of Cassandra upon Cassandra’s admittance to the hospital on January 22, 2013. Bernaderet
6 asked Cassandra about her parents’ drinking, and in response, Cassandra told Bernaderet
7 about the night where her father drank, came into the bedroom, and touched her and took
8 photos. (Id. ¶ 11.) When asked if her father touched her sisters inappropriately, Cassandra
9 “responded by sobbing hysterically.” (Id.) Bernaderet also told McCann “that Cassandra
10 had disclosed to a nurse that her father had ejaculated during the incident.” (Id.) There is
11 no evidence that McCann attempted to locate this nurse to confirm this statement. At
12 Bernaderet’s deposition, she testified that if Cassandra or a nurse had told her Rudy had
13 ejaculated on Cassandra, she would have documented that somewhere, but she did not do
14 so. (ECF No. 125-1, at 9–10.) Cassandra states her father did not ejaculate on her and she
15 never told a nurse that he did. (Cassandra Decl. ¶ 6.)
16 McCann then met with CNG at her school, who stated her father had not
17 inappropriately touched her. (“McCann Depo.,” ECF No. 125-15, at 38.) CNG was free
18 of visible marks/bruises, denied that her parents drink to the point of vomiting, and denied
19 sexual abuse. (ECF No. 125-36, at 8.) CNG recalled the incident between her father and
20 Cassandra where “dad thought Cassandra was mom” and denied all other forms of abuse
21 or neglect. (Id.) She was not scared of anyone and felt safe at home. She stated her parents
22 had never talked with her about speaking to social workers. (Id. at 7.)4
23 McCann then went to CJG’s daycare and did a body check of CJG. (Pl. MSJ 10.)
24 She found no visible marks/bruises, and the daycare provider described the Garcia parents
25 as “very nice and cooperative.” (ECF No. 125-36, at 8.) McCann then met with Sheila
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(McCann Decl. ¶ 14.) Rudy told his daughters to talk to social workers and be honest. (Id.)

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1 and Rudy at their home. Rudy and Sheila agreed with McCann that Rudy would move out
2 of the house while McCann continued her investigation. (Pl. MSJ 11.) Rudy and Sheila
3 then asked if Rudy could continue to pick up the kids from school. (Id.) As alleged by
4 Plaintiffs, in response to this question, McCann and her supervisor Huidor then decided
5 that Minors would be removed from their parents’ custody and that the agency would also
6 take control over Cassandra. (Pl. MSJ 12, 13.) The Garcias obviously disagreed with this
7 decision and allege fabrication of evidence on the part of McCann. (Id.)
8 Minors were taken to Polinsky Children’s Center (“PCC”). According to Plaintiffs,
9 Huidor then called Sharp Mesa Vista “and told the hospital that Child Protective Services
10 was taking custody of Cassandra and she should not be discharged without CPS approval.”
11 (Id. at 14.) Cassandra had been scheduled to go to Project Oz, a residential program, but
12 “Huidor and McCann countermanded that order” and placed Cassandra at PCC. (Id.)
13 Plaintiffs allege the children were subject to unauthorized examination and testing while at
14 PCC and make other allegations regarding Defendants’ conduct while the children were at
15 PCC. (Compl. ¶¶ 27–30.) After the children were placed at PCC, the case was transferred
16 from McCann to Defendant social worker Jesus Salcido. (Id. ¶ 32.)
17 On February 14, 2013, Cassandra left PCC without permission (referred to as going
18 “AWOL”). The next day, the children were moved out of PCC and into their
19 grandmother’s home. (Id.) In the next month, Cassandra was placed on a 5150 hold on
20 three occasions “due to suicidal ideations.” (Pl. MSJ 17.)5 Plaintiffs allege Salcido did not
21 visit Cassandra and he could not be reached to discuss Cassandra’s care. (Id.) Cassandra
22 was hospitalized for psychiatric reasons on March 20, 2013. (Id.)
23 On March 22, 2013, Cassandra was re-entered into PCC “due to being a high level
24 risk” after being readmitted to the hospital. (Compl. ¶ 33.) Cassandra continued to
25 demonstrate self-harm while at PCC. (Pl. MSJ 17.) Cassandra then went AWOL on March
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A “5150 hold” refers to section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code which allows for
72–hour evaluation of a person believed to be a danger to herself or others.

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1 24. (Id.) On March 27, Cassandra was admitted to the hospital due to another emotional
2 breakdown but was readmitted to PCC on March 30. (Id. at 18.) She informed Rady’s and
3 PCC staff that “she intended to AWOL from PCC.” (Id.) On March 30, Cassandra again
4 went AWOL with two other girls. While out, they met several young males and walked to
5 their apartment, where Cassandra was raped. (Id.; “Cassandra Depo.,” ECF No. 127, at
6 55.) Plaintiffs allege Cassandra was in the custody of Defendants during this time and
7 Sheila was not informed of any of this. Cassandra was then examined at Rady’s,
8 discharged on April 1, 2013, and returned to PCC. (Pl. MSJ 18.) Again, Cassandra went
9 AWOL and “ended up again in a psychiatric facility.” (Id.) Cassandra was then prescribed
10 a new medication and received outside therapy. (Id.)
11 On March 25, 2013, the sexual abuse allegations were dropped against Rudy and
12 about a month later, the Garcias’ case was assigned to a new social worker. (Id.) The
13 social worker helped get Cassandra into a group home, and arranged visits between the
14 children and their parents. Sheila returned home on July 18, 2013, and Cassandra returned
15 home on September 20, 2013. A month later, Rudy was allowed to return home. (Id. at
16 18–19.) In 2014, the Garcia case was closed. (Id. at 19.)
17 Plaintiffs bring many causes of action against all Defendants.6 These are: (1)
18 Assault; (2) Battery; (3) False Imprisonment; (4) Violation of Civil Rights (First and Fourth
19 Amendment); (5) Violation of Civil Rights (14th Amendment Due Process); (6) Violation
20 of Civil Rights (14th Amendment Substantive Due Process); (7) Monell related claims; (8)
21 Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress; (9) Violation of State Civil Rights (Civil Code
22 § 43); (10); Violation of State Civil Rights (Civil Code §§ 51.7, 52); (11) Violation of State
23 Civil Rights (Civil Code § 52.1); and (12) Injunctive Relief.
24 LEGAL STANDARD
25 Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a), a party may move for summary
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The County of San Diego has responded noting it was erroneously sued as “San Diego Health and Human
Services Agency” and “Polinsky Children’s Center.”

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1 judgment as to a claim or defense or part of a claim or defense. Summary judgment is

2 appropriate where the Court is satisfied that there is “no genuine dispute as to any material
3 fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a);
4 Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). Material facts are those that may affect
5 the outcome of the case. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). A
6 genuine dispute of material fact exists only if “the evidence is such that a reasonable jury
7 could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Id. When the Court considers the
8 evidence presented by the parties, “[t]he evidence of the non-movant is to be believed, and
9 all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor.” Id. at 255.
10 The initial burden of establishing the absence of a genuine issue of material fact falls
11 on the moving party. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. The moving party may meet this burden
12 by identifying the “portions of ‘the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and
13 admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,’” that show an absence of dispute
14 regarding a material fact. Id. When a plaintiff seeks summary judgment as to an element
15 for which it bears the burden of proof, “it must come forward with evidence which would
16 entitle it to a directed verdict if the evidence went uncontroverted at trial.” C.A.R. Transp.
17 Brokerage Co. v. Darden Rests., Inc., 213 F.3d 474, 480 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting Houghton
18 v. South, 965 F.2d 1532, 1536 (9th Cir. 1992)).
19 Once the moving party satisfies this initial burden, the nonmoving party must
20 identify specific facts showing that there is a genuine dispute for trial. Celotex, 477 U.S.
21 at 324. This requires “more than simply show[ing] that there is some metaphysical doubt
22 as to the material facts.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574,
23 586 (1986). Rather, to survive summary judgment, the nonmoving party must “by her own
24 affidavits, or by the ‘depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file,’
25 designate ‘specific facts’” that would allow a reasonable fact finder to return a verdict for
26 the non-moving party. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324; Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248. The non-
27 moving party cannot oppose a properly supported summary judgment motion by “rest[ing]
28 on mere allegations or denials of his pleadings.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256.

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1 ANALYSIS
2 The Court first addresses Plaintiffs’ MSJ; within this analysis the Court will address
3 various requests for summary judgment by the Individual Defendants. The Court will then
4 address the claims of municipal liability, and will conclude by addressing any remaining
5 issues in the Individual Defendants’ MSJ.
6 I. Plaintiffs’ MSJ
7 A. The Garcia Children’s Fourth Amendment Claim
8 Plaintiffs allege McCann and Huidor violated the Garcia children’s Fourth
9 Amendment rights by unlawfully removing the children from their home. (Pl. MSJ 20.)
10 “Officials may remove a child from the custody of its parent without prior judicial
11 authorization only if the information they possess at the time of the seizure is such as
12 provides reasonable cause to believe that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily
13 injury and that the scope of the intrusion is reasonably necessary to avert that specific
14 injury.” Wallis v. Spencer, 202 F.3d 1126, 1138 (9th Cir. 2000). “The existence of
15 reasonable cause, and the related questions, are all questions of fact to be determined by
16 the jury.” Id. (citing McKenzie v. Lamb, 738 F.2d 1005, 1008 (9th Cir. 1984); and Smiddy
17 v. Varney, 665 F.2d 261, 265 (9th Cir. 1981)). “Summary judgment in favor of the
18 defendants is improper unless, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
19 plaintiffs, it is clear that no reasonable jury could conclude that the plaintiffs’ constitutional
20 rights were violated.” Id.
21 The Wallis court found that summary judgment was improper if a material question
22 of fact exists whether (1) there was reasonable cause to believe, on the basis of the
23 information in the possession of the officers, that the children faced an immediate threat of
24 serious physical harm or death, or, (2) the officers’ actions of removing the children from
25 their mother “exceeded the permissible scope of the action necessary to protect them from
26 that immediate threat.” Id. There must be “specific, articulable evidence that provides
27 reasonable cause to believe that a child is in imminent danger of abuse” before the state
28 may remove children from their parents’ custody without a court order. Id. Also,

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1 “reasonable avenues of investigation” must be first perused. Id.

2 1. Exigency for CNG and CJG
3 Plaintiffs first argue McCann and Huidor did not have exigency to remove CNG and
4 CJG. Plaintiffs point to the January 22, 2013 referral by Bernaderet, which stated
5 Cassandra was “unable to disclose” if her father’s behavior had happened to her or her
6 sisters. (Pl. MSJ 21.) Further, in CNG’s interview, she told McCann there was no sexual
7 misconduct in their home. Plaintiffs argue McCann’s interview of the Garcias at their
8 home did not provide a basis for concern regarding imminent injuries because the Garcias
9 cooperated fully with McCann, Rudy agreed to move out of the home, and both agreed to
10 refrain from alcohol. (Id. at 21–22.) Plaintiffs also argue that Sheila told McCann that
11 Sheila’s mother was driving down to stay with the children and that CJG was in a licensed
12 daycare. (Id.)
13 In response, Defendants point to McCann’s declaration where she recounts her
14 interviews with Bernaderet and the Garcias. McCann states that Bernaderet told her that
15 Cassandra “sobbed hysterically” when asked if her father had touched her sisters
16 inappropriately. (McCann Decl. ¶ 11.) In McCann’s interview with Sheila, McCann states
17 Sheila described the incident with Rudy and Cassandra as a “mistake” after Rudy had been
18 drinking “heavily.” (Id. at ¶ 13.) She said Rudy thought Cassandra was Sheila and “ended
19 up rubbing her leg and tummy.” (Id.) She said Cassandra did not like living in San Diego,
20 hated her parents, and was using the incident “to her advantage” and would often “claim
21 she was suicidal in order to get attention.” (Id.) Sheila denied drinking to excess or
22 vomiting recently due to alcohol. (Id.) Sheila “continued to speak poorly about
23 Cassandra.” (Id.) In McCann’s interview with Rudy, he confirmed Cassandra’s past
24 suicide attempts, and agreed Cassandra was using the touching incident as “manipulation”
25 and “a tactic” to move back to San Bernardino. (Id. ¶ 15.)
26 McCann was “concerned for the safety” of the children and asked Rudy to leave the
27 home while she conducted the investigation. (Id. ¶ 16.) He agreed, but the parents then
28 said Rudy picked up their daughter from daycare and stayed with the children at home until

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1 Sheila got home from work. The parents did not have anyone else who would do this.
2 When McCann suggested the daycare provider, Ms. Campos, who cared for CJG, the
3 parents agreed, but McCann “was not able to communicate with [Ms. Campos] because
4 she spoke only limited English.” (Id.) Plaintiffs contest this and include a declaration by
5 Ms. Campos who states she and McCann spoke English to each other when McCann came
6 to check CJG for signs of abuse. (“Campos Decl.,” ECF No. 148-5, ¶ 7.) Ms. Campos
7 declares that had she been asked to care for the children while Sheila was at work, she
8 would have done so. (Id. ¶ 9.)
9 McCann could not put a safety plan in place because no one else could pick up and
10 stay with the girls after school. As a result, she (after speaking with Huidor) “agreed that
11 the children needed to be temporarily removed and placed in protective custody.”
12 (McCann Decl. ¶ 17; see also ECF No. 125-36, at 46 (safety plan form filled out by
13 McCann, but the last column states “safety plan not completed as it appear[s] parents would
14 not follow safety parameters”).) McCann believed “the children were not safe because of
15 the overwhelming concerns regarding sexual abuse, Cassandra’s mental health, the
16 parents’ alcohol consumption, their discrediting of Cassandra, Mrs. Garcia’s telling the
17 children not to talk with authorities, Mr. Garcia’s ample contact alone with children, and
18 the parents’ inability to make the safety plan work.” (McCann Decl. ¶ 17.) McCann states
19 she believed that the “parents might get drunk again, and that Mr. Garcia might abuse one
20 or more of the children in the 48–72 hours it would typically take to get a warrant.” (Def.
21 Opp’n 13.) McCann received Huidor’s approval in removing the children. (See “Huidor
22 Decl.,” ECF No. 121-3, ¶ 7 (“Agency practice is that social workers must obtain supervisor
23 approval before removing children based on exigency.”).)
24 Plaintiffs argue no exigency occurred and refer to the fact that McCann did not
25 conduct the interviews of the Garcias until January 28 after receiving the referral on
26 January 22. (Pl. Reply 6.) Defendants argue this block of time is not important; what is
27 important is that McCann removed the children on the same day she conducted the
28 investigation. (Def. Opp’n 10). Defendants also note that the referral was classified as a

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1 “10-day referral” because Cassandra was admitted to an inpatient facility at the time, so
2 she was not in imminent danger of being sexually abused by her father at that time the
3 referral was received. (Id. at 9–10.)
4 The Ninth Circuit has found that a delay in investigating the case and removing the
5 children supports a finding of no exigency. In Rogers v. County of San Joaquin, as here,
6 the situation was classified as a ten-day response. 487 F.3d 1288, 1296 (9th Cir. 2007).
7 The court noted this indicated the officials “did not think that any exigency existed” and
8 the social worker then waited eleven days to visit the house, and returned seven days later.
9 This delay shows that neither the social worker nor the other staff members “thought that
10 the allegations required immediate action.” Id. The court concluded that the exigent
11 circumstances required to remove the children did not exist. Id.; see also Calabretta v.
12 Floyd, 189 F.3d 808, 813 (9th Cir. 1999) (holding that a 14–day delay by social workers
13 in entering the family home to investigate a report of abuse is evidence of lack of exigency).
14 It is true that the present case was classified as a 10–day referral, which indicates the
15 officials who made the report did not deem the children to be in immediate danger.
16 Although Cassandra was in a facility at the time the referral was made, and may not have
17 been in danger, the referral mentioned Minors and therefore it must have been clear to the
18 official that Minors could be in contact with the father, unlike Cassandra. (See McCann
19 Decl. ¶ 5 (discussing the Referral).) And, although McCann waited six days after receiving
20 the report before investigating, once she began, she met with Cassandra, Bernaderet,
21 Minors, and the Garcia parents all in one day, and Minors were taken to PCC that evening.
22 Cassandra was taken to PCC the next day. (Id. ¶ 19.) The timing here is therefore
23 distinguishable from that in Rogers.
24 There must be “specific, articulable evidence” that provides reasonable cause to
25 believe a child is in imminent danger before the state may remove children from their
26 parents’ custody without a court order. Wallis, 202 F.3d at 1138; see Mueller v. Auker,
27 700 F.3d 1180, 1186 (9th Cir. 2012) (the question is “did the officers have an objectively
28 reasonable basis for fearing that [the child] was in imminent danger”); see also Rogers,

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1 487 F.3d at 1294 (“Officials, including social workers, who remove a child from its home
2 without a warrant must have reasonable cause to believe that the child is likely to
3 experience serious bodily harm in the time that would be required to obtain a warrant.”).
4 There must be an “identifiable risk of serious harm or abuse” in the time period before the
5 warrant can be obtained, no matter how long that period is. Demaree v. Pederson, 887
6 F.3d 870, 883 (9th Cir. 2018). Here, the period to receive a warrant was 24 to 72 hours.
7 (See Individuals MSJ 10.)
8 Defendants argue that McCann had information that Rudy had drank, and then
9 fondled Cassandra, and took pictures of her. (Def. Opp’n 12.) McCann interviewed the
10 social worker who had spoken to Cassandra. When McCann spoke to the Garcias, she felt
11 the parents “minimized” the incident and “disparaged” Cassandra. (Id. at 13.) Although
12 Rudy agreed to leave the house, the parents also discussed Rudy continuing to pick the
13 children up from school, so it was reasonable for McCann to think he would still have
14 contact with the children. McCann states she was unable to put a safety plan in place.
15 Defendants argue this is specific evidence that made it objectively reasonable for McCann
16 to remove the children, who reasonably believed the children were in imminent danger
17 during the time it would take her to receive a warrant.
18 Plaintiffs dispute McCann’s version of the facts and her choices, saying the daycare
19 provider did in fact speak English and McCann could have waited for the children’s
20 grandmother to arrive.7 Plaintiffs cite to testimony by McCann’s intern, who testified
21 McCann was thinking about the situation the next day and was “thinking if she had made
22 the right decision.” (ECF No. 125, at 6.) Plaintiffs argue McCann’s declaration should
23 not be taken as true because it is contradicted by other evidence. (Pl. Reply 7.) Indeed,
24 the Court is troubled by McCann’s statement that she was told Cassandra’s father had
25
26
7
McCann states that she was not informed about the grandmother coming down until after the removal
27 decision had been made. (McCann Decl. ¶ 18.) She also testified she was only informed the grandmother
28 was “on her way” into town and knew that she could not complete a mandatory background check for the
grandmother because it was after hours. (Def. Opp’n 14.)

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1 ejaculated on her. There is no evidence that this is true, and it is unclear why McCann
2 would not attempt to locate this nurse after hearing such a gruesome detail. Bernaderet
3 stated if she had been told about an ejaculation event, she would have put it in her report,
4 which she did not. (ECF No. 125-1, at 7.) Plaintiffs also produced Sharp Mesa Vista
5 records, which do not contain the disclosure. (Pl. MSJ 10; ECF No. 125-42, at 2 (Sharp
6 Mesa Care Plan).) But, on the other hand, there is evidence in the record to support the
7 remainder of McCann’s declaration; after all, this case began with Bernaderet’s report that
8 detailed Cassandra’s disclosure of the incident with Rudy.
9 Another court in this district has found that “whether reasonable cause to believe
10 exigent circumstances existed is generally a question of fact for the jury.” Parkes v. Cnty.
11 of San Diego, 345 F. Supp. 2d 1071, 1089 (S.D. Cal. 2004) (citing Mabe v. San Bernardino
12 Cnty., Dep’t of Public Social Servs., 237 F.3d 1101, 1108 (9th Cir. 2001)). The Court finds
13 this general proposition to be true here as well. There is a genuine issue of material fact as
14 to whether a reasonable social worker could believe her action in removing the children
15 from the parents’ custody in this situation was lawful. See Wallis, 202 F.3d at 1138
16 (holding summary judgment is improper unless, viewing the evidence in light most
17 favorable to the other party, “it is clear that no reasonable jury could conclude that the
18 plaintiffs’ constitutional rights were violated”).8 The Court finds that a question of material
19 fact exists as to the reasonableness of McCann’s decision in removing Minors from the
20 Garcia home without a warrant.
21
22
8
Also, as Plaintiffs point out, children may not be seized “unless reasonable avenues of investigation are
23 first pursued, particularly where it is not clear that a crime has been—or will be—committed.” Wallis,
24 202 F.3d at 1138. The Court finds there is an issue of material fact as to whether the social workers
pursued every reasonable avenue of investigation. Whether a reasonable avenue exists “depends in part
25 upon the time element and nature of the allegations.” Id. Plaintiffs argue that McCann should have done
more, such as ask the daycare provider to care for the children, McCann declares that this was not feasible
26 because there was a language barrier with the daycare provider. Plaintiffs argue McCann could have
waited for the children’s grandmother to arrive and care for the children, but McCann declares she was
27 not informed of this until after she had made the decision to remove the children and was not convinced
28 the grandmother was an adequate caretaker. Given the disparities in evidence, an issue of material fact
exists.

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1 2. Exigency for Cassandra

2 Plaintiffs argue Cassandra was also not in imminent danger when she was removed
3 to PCC by CPS. Plaintiffs point to the fact that the referral was made on January 22, 2013
4 and McCann did not interview Cassandra until January 28. (Pl. MSJ 22.) At that time,
5 Cassandra was still in the hospital and was expected to be discharged to Project Oz. (Id.
6 at 23.)
7 Defendants agree that Cassandra was at the psychiatric unit at the time she was
8 removed to PCC, and agree that the plan was to discharge Cassandra to Project Oz. (Def.
9 Opp’n 14.) But Defendants note that Cassandra was on a voluntary hold in the psychiatric
10 unit and was to be discharged to Project Oz on a voluntary basis “meaning that she could
11 leave and return home or that her parents could check her out of either program at any
12 time.” (Id. (citing the deposition of Dr. Michael Juboori, a doctor at Sharp Mesa Vista).)
13 Plaintiffs argue this is speculative and does not qualify as evidence of imminent danger.
14 (Pl. Reply 9 (citing Bailey v. Newland, 263 F.3d 1022, 1033 (9th Cir. 2001) (showing
15 exigent circumstances is not satisfied by “mere speculation that the exigency exists”)).)
16 As noted above, the question is whether it was reasonable for McCann to release
17 Cassandra to PCC. There is no indication the Garcias intended to check Cassandra out of
18 the psychiatric unit. However, it is unclear how simple the process would be for them to
19 check her out should they have so desired; after all, Cassandra was released to CPS the day
20 after McCann began her investigation. It is possible the Garcias could have likewise
21 discharged Cassandra immediately. There is also no evidence that Cassandra intended to
22 leave the hospital on her own nor is there any information as to whether she wanted to go
23 to Project Oz or return home. But, it is reasonable to assume that Cassandra was feeling
24 conflicted and troubled at the time regarding her family situation. The Court raises this
25 issues because they go to the weight of evidence and create a dispute of material fact as to
26 the reasonableness of McCann’s decision. The Court DENIES Plaintiffs’ Motion for
27
28

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1 Summary Judgment for the Fourth Amendment claim as to all three Garcia children.9
2 The Court also DENIES the County’s Motion for Summary Judgment as to
3 Plaintiffs’ allegation that in 2013, the County had a policy, practice, or custom of
4 “detaining and/or removing children from their parents without exigent circumstances,
5 court order and/or consent of their parent or legal guardian, and without consideration of
6 less restrictive methods.” (County MSJ 10; Compl. ¶ 73(b).) A jury must determine
7 whether or not a constitutional violation occurred before it may be determined whether the
8 County’s alleged policy was a moving force behind any constitutional violation.
9 B. Sheila’s Fourteenth Amendment Rights
10 Plaintiffs allege McCann and Huidor violated Sheila’s Procedural and Substantive
11 Due Process rights. (Pl. MSJ 24–25.) For this claim, courts apply the test as articulated in
12 Wallis: “Parents and children have a well-elaborated constitutional right to live together
13 without governmental interference.” 202 F.3d at 1136. “The Fourteenth Amendment
14 guarantees that parents will not be separated from their children without due process of law
15 except in emergencies.” Mabe, 237 F.3d at 1107. Officials violate this right if they remove
16 a child from the home absent “information at the time of the seizure that establishes
17 ‘reasonable cause to believe that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury
18 and that the scope of the intrusion is reasonably necessary to avert that specific injury.’”
19 Id. at 1106 (quoting Wallis, 202 F.3d at 1138).
20 The Court has analyzed the issue of exigency, see supra Section I.A. For the same
21 reasons as articulated above, the Court DENIES Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment
22
23 9
Defendants also assert the social workers are protected by qualified immunity. Because the Court has
24 determined the issue of whether the social workers’ beliefs and actions were reasonable involves disputed
issues of material fact, the Court does not make a qualified immunity determination here. See Santos v.
25 Gates, 287 F.3d 846, 855 n.12 (9th Cir. 2002) (finding it premature to decide the qualified immunity issue
“because whether the officers may be said to have made a ‘reasonable mistake’ of fact or law may depend
26 on the jury’s resolution of disputed facts and the inferences it draws therefrom”) (internal citation omitted).
See also Wilkins v. City of Oakland, 350 F.3d 949, 956 (9th Cir. 2003) (“Where the officers’ entitlement
27 to qualified immunity depends on the resolution of disputed issues of fact in their favor, and against the
28 non-moving party, summary judgment is not appropriate.”).

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1 for Sheila’s Fourteenth Amendment claim. Individual Defendants also moved for
2 summary judgment on this claim, (Individuals MSJ 41–43), and because the Court finds a
3 genuine issue of material fact exists, it DENIES Defendants’ Motion as to this claim.
4 C. Sheila’s Right to Make Decisions Regarding Cassandra’s Treatment
5 Plaintiffs allege McCann and Huidor violated Sheila’s right to make important
6 decisions about Cassandra’s medical care and treatment by “concealing their investigation
7 from Sheila and countermanding the decision for intensive therapeutic inpatient treatment
8 at Project Oz.” (Pl. MSJ 25.) The “right to family association includes the right of parents
9 to make important medical decisions for their children, and of children to have those
10 decisions made by their parents rather than the state.” Wallis, 202 F.3d at 1141 (citing
11 Parham v. J.R., 442 U.S. 584, 602 (1979)). This is a right guaranteed under the Fourteenth
12 Amendment. Id.
13 Such a right is not absolute: the “rights of children and parents to be free from
14 arbitrary and undue governmental interference” must be balanced against “the legitimate
15 role of the state in protecting children from abusive parents.” Id. at 1130; see also Greene
16 v. Camreta, 588 F.3d 1011, 1015–16 (9th Cir. 2009), vacated in part on other grounds,
17 563 U.S. 692 (2011) (“On one hand, society has a compelling interest in protecting its most
18 vulnerable members from abuse within their home. . . . On the other hand, parents have an
19 exceedingly strong interest in directing the upbringing of their children.”). But as the Ninth
20 Circuit has cautioned, “in the area of child abuse, as with the investigation and prosecution
21 of all crimes, the state is constrained by the substantive and procedural guarantees of the
22 Constitution.” Wallis, 202 F.3d at 1130. Case law has not clearly established how these
23 competing rights should be balanced.
24 Defendants argue Cassandra’s placement at PCC was not a medical treatment
25 decision but was “a decision made by social workers to protect a child in danger of being
26 abused by her father at her home.” (Def. Opp’n 16.) Defendants argue the social workers
27 did not commit Cassandra to a psychiatric hospital or any facility but placed her in
28 protective custody at emergency shelter. (Id.) Essentially, Defendants invite the Court to

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1 view the incident in isolation. The Court declines to follow Defendants’ reasoning and
2 piecemeal the decision by CPS; certainly, placing a child at PCC alone is not a medical
3 decision. Instead, the Court analyzes Cassandra’s situation as a whole: the decision to
4 remove Cassandra from the hospital and place her at PCC instead of transferring her to
5 Project Oz. The issue is whether this series of events was a “medical decision” made by
6 the social workers, and thus, whether Sheila’s rights were violated.
7 Plaintiffs deposed Dr. Michael Juboori, a doctor at Sharp Mesa Vista. Dr. Juboori
8 testified that the original plan was to send Cassandra to Project Oz. (ECF No. 154, at 8.)
9 He testified it was CPS’s “decision to take her to Polinsky, and . . . I can’t say not to send
10 her to this versus this. That’s their decision and we agreed with it.” (Id. at 10.) He testified
11 that a decision to discharge a patient is a “team decision” but he is “the last one who will
12 final discharge.” (Id. at 11.) Cassandra’s Psychiatric Discharge Summary states: “Initially,
13 we thought the patient could go to Oz Program, but apparently CPS decided it would be
14 best for the patient, according to their assessment, to be going to Polinsky Home, which
15 they did.” (ECF No. 154-1, at 4.) It goes on to state: “The patient has revealed allegation
16 of sexual abuse by her father. As a result of that CPS intervened, and according to our
17 knowledge, the patient was taken to Polinsky Home for further intervention by CPS.” (Id.
18 at 5; see also id. (“The patient was discharged to Child Protective Services.”).)
19 On balance, the Court finds that Plaintiffs are not entitled to summary judgment on
20 Sheila’s Fourteenth Amendment claim. Plaintiffs have not met their burden in proving
21 there is no disputed fact that a medical treatment decision was made for Cassandra by CPS,
22 and, balanced against the state’s interest in protecting children, this decision violated
23 Sheila’s constitutional rights. The Court finds the question of whether Sheila’s rights were
24 violated by this decision is more appropriate for a jury. The Court DENIES Plaintiffs’
25 Motion for Summary Judgment as to this claim.
26 D. Plaintiffs’ Fourteenth Amendment Claim: Judicial Deception
27 Plaintiffs allege McCann violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights through
28 McCann’s judicial deception. (Pl. MSJ 27.) As background, a few days after the Garcia

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1 children were placed at PCC, a hearing was held at the Juvenile Court. At this hearing,
2 McCann submitted a Juvenile Dependency Petition, and the court ordered the children
3 remain out of the home. Plaintiffs argue McCann lied in the petition. In this report,
4 McCann declared under penalty of perjury that Rudy “sexually abused [Cassandra],
5 including touching the child’s breast and vaginal area under her clothes and taking a
6 photograph of her bare chest.” (ECF No. 125-36, at 50.)
7 To establish a claim of judicial deception under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must
8 “(1) establish that the . . . affidavit contained misrepresentations or omissions material to
9 the finding of probable cause, and (2) make a ‘substantial showing’ that the
10 misrepresentations or omissions were made intentionally or with reckless disregard for the
11 truth.” Bravo v. City of Santa Maria, 665 F.3d 1076, 1083 (9th Cir. 2011) (citing Ewing
12 v. City of Stockton, 588 F.3d 1218, 1223–24 (9th Cir. 2009)).
13 Defendants argue the statements were not false as evidenced by Bernaderet’s report
14 and Cassandra’s statement to McCann. (Individual Def. MSJ 11; see ECF No. 125-42
15 (Suspected Child Abuse Report: “Dad came into the room and began to fondle [patient’s]
16 breasts, he groped her inner thigh, and took several nude pictures of her. [Patient] tearful
17 and unable to say if this has happened previously or to her sisters.”)). Defendants argue
18 because Plaintiffs cannot show that McCann presented false information, Plaintiffs cannot
19 win on summary judgment as to this claim.
20 Plaintiffs point out that certain statements in McCann’s report are “not in any of the
21 records in this case.” (Pl. MSJ 27; Pl. Reply 11–12.) While it is true that the specific
22 allegation that Rudy touched Cassandra’s “vaginal area” and took photos of her “bare
23 chest” are not in the report provided to McCann, the report did state that Rudy touched
24 Cassandra’s breasts, put his hand down her pants, and took pictures. A showing of a minor
25 difference, or even exaggeration, between Bernaderet’s report and McCann’s report does
26 not demonstrate that McCann deliberately or recklessly made misrepresentations to the
27 court.
28 The Court finds that Defendants have presented a question of material fact as to

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1 Plaintiffs’ judicial deception claim against McCann. Based on the evidence available to
2 McCann, there is a factual dispute as to whether the information she presented was
3 deliberately or recklessly false. Having read the report by Bernaderet, McCann at least had
4 a basis for making these statements in her report. Further, the Court cannot determine as a
5 matter of law whether this information was material to the Juvenile Court in making its
6 decision. The Court DENIES Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment as to this claim.10
7 E. Physical Examinations
8 Plaintiffs allege the physical examinations of the Garcia children at PCC and the
9 mental assessment of Cassandra by a County psychiatrist violated the Garcias’
10 constitutional rights. (Pl. MSJ 36.) The Parties have provided PCC’s Admission Physical
11 Examination form, completed by PCC doctors for the Garcia sisters. Both Minors’
12 evaluations indicate they were generally evaluated as to almost all parts of their body, (ECF
13 No. 125-37, at 4; ECF No. 125-38, at 5). Cassandra was also evaluated physically and
14 mentally. (ECF No. 125-39 at 1–11.)
15 Plaintiffs request the Court defer ruling on this issue until the Ninth Circuit issues
16 an opinion in Mann v. County of San Diego, 147 F. Supp. 3d 1066 (S.D. Cal. 2015).
17 Plaintiffs state the decision “will likely be dispositive of all of the issues in the present
18 matter” related to examinations conducted at PCC. (ECF No. 165, at 2.) At oral argument,
19
20
10
21 Further, the Court finds that McCann and Huidor are not entitled to absolute immunity for the judicial
deception claim, as Defendants argue. “Social workers ‘enjoy absolute, quasi-judicial immunity when
22 making post-adjudication custody decisions pursuant to a valid court order.’” Mabe, 237 F.3d at 1109
(quoting Babcock v. Tyler, 884 F.2d 497, 503 (9th Cir. 1989)). The immunity “covers the official activities
23 of social workers only when they perform quasi-prosecutorial or quasi-judicial functions in juvenile
24 dependency court.” Hardwick, 844 F.3d at 1115. Social workers may have absolute immunity when
discharging functions that are “critical to the judicial process itself.” Beltran v. Santa Clara Cnty., 514
25 F.3d 906, 908 (9th Cir. 2008). “But they are not entitled to absolute immunity from claims that they
fabricated evidence during an investigation or made false statements in a dependency petition affidavit
26 that they signed under penalty of perjury, because such actions aren't similar to discretionary decisions
about whether to prosecute.” Id. Because the Court finds above that there is a genuine issue of material
27 fact as to whether McCann engaged in judicial deception, the Court similarly here finds that McCann (and
28 Huidor, who signed the reports) are not entitled to absolute immunity.

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1 Defendants stated they did not oppose this request. The Court DEFERS ruling on this
2 issue. The Parties SHALL submit supplemental briefing on this issue within ten (10) days
3 of the Ninth Circuit issuing an opinion in Mann.
4 F. Cassandra’s Fourteenth Amendment Claim: Regarding Defendant Salcido
5 Plaintiffs allege Salcido violated Cassandra’s Fourteenth Amendment rights by
6 failing to keep her safe. (Pl. MSJ 28.) Salcido was assigned as the social worker to
7 Cassandra’s case once she was ordered to be detained at PCC. Plaintiffs state Salcido
8 waited two weeks after the case was assigned to him to visit Cassandra at PCC. (Pl. MSJ
9 28.) When Cassandra went AWOL, Salcido “would have received notification” of this
10 event, but he never notified the Garcias of the event. (Id.) When Cassandra was put in her
11 grandmother’s care, Salcido did not provide services to Cassandra and did not visit
12 Cassandra when she was psychiatrically hospitalized four times in March 2013. (Id. at 29.)
13 He did not attempt to arrange placement for Cassandra at a therapeutic group home and did
14 not check on her when she was placed back at PCC. (Id.) He did not visit her when she
15 was hospitalized again and did not intervene when Cassandra continued to go AWOL. (Id.)
16 He also did not take any action until nine days after he found out about the rape. (Id.)
17 Plaintiffs argue this deliberate indifference violated Cassandra’s Fourteenth Amendment
18 right “to continued safety and security while in the County’s care.” (Id.)
19 Defendants’ argument against this claim is three-fold: (1) “Salcido has absolute
20 immunity for following the Court’s orders and advocating the Agency’s positions”; (2)
21 “Plaintiffs’ allegations against him do not rise to the level of constitutional violations”; and
22 (3) “he is entitled to qualified immunity if his acts and omissions did not violate Plaintiffs’
23 clearly established rights.” (Def. Opp’n 20.) The Court first addresses the underlying
24 question of whether Salcido violated Plaintiffs’ constitutional rights.
25 Defendants argue Plaintiffs are merely criticizing how Salcido did his job, and do
26 not adequately allege constitutional violations. (Id. at 21.) As to Salcido’s alleged failure
27 to visit Cassandra and check on her, Defendants argue “Plaintiffs have no clearly
28 established rights to be visited by a social worker within any period of time, checked on at

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1 any particular time in their placements, or have their mental health issues discussed with
2 professionals.” (Id. at 22.) Defendants argue this does not constitute a Fourteenth
3 Amendment violation. Similarly, Defendants argue Salcido’s failure to notify Cassandra’s
4 parents about Cassandra going AWOL does not constitute a violation of the Fourteenth
5 Amendment. (Id. at 23.) Further, Defendants argue Cassandra received therapy at PCC
6 and there is no right to receive therapy or mental health care while in government care.
7 (Id.) As to Cassandra’s placement in a group home, Defendants state “Salcido sought and
8 obtained a court order for her to be placed in a group home.” (Id. at 23–24.) In sum,
9 Defendants argue Salcido’s conduct did not shock the conscience or rise to the level of
10 deliberate indifference. (Id. at 24.)
11 “Once the state assumes wardship of a child, the state owes the child, as part of that
12 person’s protected liberty interest, reasonable safety and minimally adequate care . . . .”
13 Lipscomb By and Through DeFehr v. Simmons, 962 F.2d 1374, 1379 (9th Cir. 1992).
14 Cassandra was a ward of the state when she was ordered to be detained at PCC and was
15 therefore owed this protection. She argues that her rights were violated by Salcido’s failure
16 to provide reasonable safety and care. To violate due process, state officials must act with
17 such deliberate indifference to a person’s liberty interest that their actions “shock the
18 conscience.” Brittain v. Hansen, 451 F.3d 982, 991 (9th Cir. 2006) (citation omitted).
19 Conduct “shocks the conscience” when it is done with “deliberate indifference to a known,
20 or so obvious as to imply knowledge of, danger.” Kennedy v. City of Ridgefield, 439 F.3d
21 1055, 1064 (9th Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks omitted).
22 It appears that Salcido certainly could have done more for Cassandra as her assigned
23 social worker. See Tamas, 630 F.3d at 843 (holding “the duty of guarding [a dependent’s]
24 safety . . . is the quintessential responsibility of the social workers assigned to safeguard
25 the well-being of this helpless and vulnerable population”). But, there is no evidence that
26 Cassandra was suffering at PCC, as she was receiving therapy there (although Plaintiffs
27 argue it was minimal, (Pl. MSJ 16)). There is also no allegation that she was not receiving
28 basic, adequate care, and, she was out of her parents’ home, which is what the Court had

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1 ordered. Further, Salcido declares he attended a meeting with the Garcia parents and
2 several staff of the Health and Human Services Agency. (“Salcido Decl.,” ECF No. 121-
3 5, ¶ 6.) He states as a result of the meeting, the children were placed with their
4 grandmother. He also states after he found out Cassandra had been placed in a psychiatric
5 hospital due to being suicidal, he conducted a meeting with other Agency staff “to discuss
6 a proper placement for Cassandra.” (Id. ¶ 9.) He states that he arranged for Cassandra to
7 be placed back at PCC after her release from the hospital, and stated he would ask at the
8 court hearing on March 25, 2013 that Cassandra be placed in a higher level of care. (Id.)
9 Before the hearing, he “prepared and submitted an Addendum Report to the juvenile court
10 recommending that Cassandra be placed in a higher level of care, specifically a group
11 home.” (Id. ¶ 10.) The court agreed with the recommendation and ordered the higher level
12 of care. (Id.)
13 Both Parties seem to agree on the actions Salcido took and did not take. However,
14 after considering all of the evidence presented by both sides, the Court cannot find as a
15 matter of law whether Salcido acted in a manner so intentional and offensive as to shock
16 the conscience. Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ request for summary judgment on their Fourteenth
17 Amendment claim against Salcido is DENIED.11
18 1. Absolute Immunity for Defendant Salcido
19 The defense of absolute immunity is asserted regarding Plaintiffs’ allegations that
20 Salcido did not attempt to arrange placement for Cassandra at a group home.
21 “Social workers ‘enjoy absolute, quasi-judicial immunity when making post-
22 adjudication custody decisions pursuant to a valid court order.’” Mabe, 237 F.3d at 1109
23 (quoting Babcock v. Tyler, 884 F.2d 497, 503 (9th Cir. 1989)). The immunity “covers the
24 official activities of social workers only when they perform quasi-prosecutorial or quasi-
25
26 11
Defendants argue “[e]ven if any of Salcido’s alleged acts or omissions rose to the level of a
constitutional violation, he is still entitled to qualified immunity because the contours of Cassandra’s rights
27 were not clearly established under the specific circumstances of this case.” (Def. Opp’n 24.) Because the
28 issue of whether Salcido’s conduct rose to the level of a constitutional violation is a question for the jury,
an analysis of qualified immunity is premature. See supra footnote 9.

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1 judicial functions in juvenile dependency court.” Hardwick v. Cnty. of Orange, 844 F.3d
2 1112, 1115 (9th Cir. 2017). Social workers may have absolute immunity when discharging
3 functions that are “critical to the judicial process itself.” Beltran v. Santa Clara Cnty., 514
4 F.3d 906, 908 (9th Cir. 2008). “[S]ocial workers are not afforded absolute immunity for
5 their investigatory conduct, discretionary decisions or recommendations.” Tamas v. Dep’t
6 of Social & Health Servs., 630 F.3d 833, 842 (9th Cir. 2010). Examples of such
7 discretionary decisions include “decisions and recommendations as to the particular home
8 where a child is to go or as to the particular foster parents who are to provide care.” Miller
9 v. Gammie, 335 F.3d 889, 898 (9th Cir. 2003)
10 Defendants argue “Salcido has absolute immunity for his recommendations (or
11 failure to make recommendations) in Court.” (Def. Opp’n 21.) Defendants argue Salcido
12 also has absolute immunity for following the Juvenile Court’s order authorizing
13 Cassandra’s placement at PCC. (Id.). In reply, Plaintiffs argue the court’s order was to
14 detain Cassandra at “Polinsky Child Ctr., approved foster home, adjunct, or detained in a
15 licensed group home.” (Pl. Reply 14 (emphasis added) (citing ECF No. 125-36, at 62
16 (court order); ECF No. 153-19, at 2 (detention report).) Plaintiffs state Salcido therefore
17 had the obligation to place Cassandra at an adequate placement. (Id.)12
18 The Court finds that Defendants have not proven that Salcido has absolute immunity
19 for his actions. As alleged, Salcido engaged in discretionary decisions when he kept
20 Cassandra at PCC and did not place Cassandra at a different facility. See Miller, 335 F.3d
21 at 898 (“To the extent . . . that social workers also make discretionary decisions and
22 recommendations that are not functionally similar to prosecutorial or judicial decisions,
23 only qualified, not absolute immunity, is available.”) Because his actions were
24
25
12
The court order also states: “The social worker is given the discretion to detain the minor with a relative
26 or non-relative extended family with concurrence of minor’s counsel.” (ECF No. 125-36, at 62).
Cassandra was transitioned into her grandmother’s care, (Pl. MSJ 28), and Plaintiffs do not appear to
27 allege Salcido failed to exercise this discretion in encouraging this. However, this language in the order
28 bolsters the Court’s finding that Salcido was given the authority to make discretionary decisions in the
children’s best interests.

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1 discretionary, he is not entitled to absolute immunity.

2 2. Fourteenth Amendment Claim: Regarding Defendants Palafox and
3 Quintanilla
4 Individual Defendants move for summary judgment on this claim of a Fourteenth
5 Amendment violation for Salcido and his two supervisors, Palafox and Quintanilla.
6 (Individuals MSJ 38.) Plaintiffs have alleged that these defendants should have more
7 thoroughly reviewed Salcido’s work before reviewing his forms. The Court finds that
8 Plaintiffs have not alleged that these Defendants’ conduct shocked the conscience. At
9 most, Plaintiffs have alleged that these Defendants should have spent more time reviewing
10 another social’s work; this does not amount to deliberate indifference. The Court
11 GRANTS Individual Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment as to the Fourteenth
12 Amendment claim against Palafox and Quintanilla.
13 G. State Law Claims
14 Plaintiffs bring eight state-law claims: assault, battery, false imprisonment,
15 intentional infliction of emotional distress, injunctive relief, and three violations of state
16 statutes (Civil Code §§ 43, 51.7/52, and 52.1). Plaintiffs request summary judgment on
17 only two of their state law claims: false imprisonment and claim pursuant to Civil Code §
18 43. The Court first addresses Defendants’ argument that Plaintiffs have waived the
19 ability to bring their state law claims because Plaintiffs untimely submitted their claims
20 under the California Tort Claims Act.
21 California has sovereign immunity against tort claims for money damages, but the
22 California Tort Claims Act (“CTCA”) provides a limited waiver of this immunity. Under
23 the CTCA, a plaintiff can bring tort claims against state and local public entities only if the
24 plaintiff complies with the strict procedural requirements enumerated in the CTCA. See
25 Cal. Gov. Code § 815. Among the procedural prerequisites for civil suit is the CTCA’s
26 requirement that a claimant file a written claim with the proper public entity. See id. §§
27 905.2, 910, 911.2, 945.4. The claim must be presented to the relevant public entity no later
28 than six months after the cause of action accrued. Id. § 911.2. If the claim is not presented

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1 within that time, a written application may be made to the public entity for leave to present
2 the late claim. Id. § 911.4. The application must be presented to the public entity “within
3 a reasonable time not to exceed one year after the accrual of the cause of action and shall
4 state the reason for the delay in presenting the claim.” Id.
5 1. Accrual
6 Under California Government Code § 901,
7 The date of the accrual of a cause of action to which a claim relates is the date
upon which the cause of action would be deemed to have accrued within the
8
meaning of the statute of limitations which would be applicable thereto if there
9 were no requirement that a claim be presented to and be acted upon by the
public entity before an action could be commenced thereon.
10
11 Here, Plaintiffs allege, for example, the children were falsely imprisoned when they were
12 “taken from their parents’ care and custody and interred at PCC.” (Pl. MSJ 44; Compl. ¶
13 51.) This cause of action would accrue on January 28 and 29, 2013, when the children
14 were placed at PCC. Similarly, the other state law actions stem from the removal. (See
15 Compl. ¶ 40 (assault claim); id. ¶ 45 (battery claim); id. ¶ 79 (intentional infliction of
16 emotional distress claim); ¶ 85 (claim under Cal. Civil Code § 43); ¶ 94 (claim under Cal.
17 Civil Code § 51.7 and § 52); and ¶ 102 (claim under Cal. Civil Code § 52.1). The claims
18 presentation statute thus began when the children were removed on January 28 and 29,
19 2013. Plaintiffs submitted their claims to the agency on September 24, 2014. (Individuals
20 MSJ 44.) Plaintiffs argue tolling makes their filing timely.
21 2. Tolling
22 Plaintiffs make two arguments why the statute should be tolled. First, Plaintiffs state
23 September 24, 2014 is “within six months of when the County stopped its investigation of
24 Plaintiffs.” (Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 46.) Plaintiffs state that while Defendants first contacted
25 Plaintiffs in January 2013, they “continued their investigation” through March 26, 2014,
26 and the claims presentation statute should be tolled through this time. (Id. (citing Ortega
27 v. Pajaro Valley Unified Sch. Dist., 64 Cal. App. 4th 1023, 1047 (Ct. App. 1998)).)
28 As mentioned above, the CTCA provides a strict timeline in which a plaintiff must

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1 file his claims. But, the claims presentation statute is tolled during the periods when the
2 public entity’s affirmative acts deter the filing of a claim. John R. v. Oakland Unified Sch.
3 Dist., 769 P.2d 948, 951 (Cal. 1989). This case does not say the statute is tolled while
4 County employees are continuing to investigate the allegations. Plaintiffs have not pointed
5 to any authority, nor can the Court locate any, that states the statute is tolled during a
6 standard investigation. Plaintiffs’ argument that “[t]he County’s continuing investigation
7 and constant contact with the Garcia family through March 26, 2014 was an absolute
8 deterrent” to their filing of the claims is without support and unavailing. See Ortega, 64
9 Cal. App. 4th at 1045 (“Claims of estoppel have been rejected . . . where the plaintiff cannot
10 show calculated conduct or representations by the public entity or its agents that induced
11 the plaintiff to remain inactive and not to comply with the claims-presentation
12 requirements.”). The statute is not tolled for this reason.
13 Second, Plaintiffs cite to California Government Code § 911.4. The claims
14 presentation statute is tolled when a person “is detained or adjudged to be a dependent child
15 of the juvenile court” if: “[t]he person is in the custody and control of an agency of the
16 public entity to which a claim is to be presented.” § 911.4(c)(2). Further, the statute is
17 tolled “during which a minor is adjudged to be a dependent child of the juvenile court” and
18 “the minor is without a guardian ad litem or conservator for purposes of filing civil
19 actions.” § 911.4(c)(3).
20 Here, Defendants concede that the claims presentation statute was tolled from March
21 25, 2013 (when the children were adjudged dependents of the juvenile court) to March 26,
22 2014 (when jurisdiction was terminated). (Individuals Reply 18); see Cnty. of Los Angeles
23 v. Superior Court, 91 Cal. App. 4th, 1303, 1310 (Ct. App. 2001) (holding the parents of
24 the minors “had no legal right to custody and control of Minors until the dependency case
25 ended”). But, the statute ran from January 28, 2013 (the date of removal) to March 25,
26 2013, i.e., 56 days. The children were not adjudged dependents during this time. It then
27 ran from March 25, 2014 to September 24, 2014 (when the Garcias filed their claim), i.e.,
28

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1 almost six months. Defendants argue Plaintiffs must have filed their claims on July 28,
2 2014 for them to be timely.
3 There is no provision that the claims presentation statute is tolled when minors are
4 not in the physical custody of their parents, but have not yet been adjudged dependents of
5 the court (here, the time from January 28 to March 25, 2013). Thus, this time counts
6 towards the six-month requirement. Because, in totality and even considering tolling,
7 Plaintiffs did not file their claims within six months of accrual, their state law claims are
8 untimely. While the Court appreciates the argument that cases should be decided on the
9 merits rather than on procedural grounds, (Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 47), Plaintiffs have failed
10 to comply with strict, technical requirements of California law. The Court GRANTS
11 Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment regarding Plaintiffs’ state law claims.
12 II. Monell Claims (Plaintiffs’ and the County’s MSJs)
13 Plaintiffs request summary judgment on their Monell claims against the County. (Pl.
14 MSJ 30); see Monell v. N.Y.C. Dep’t. of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658 (1978). The County
15 likewise requests summary judgment on the claims. (County MSJ.) The Court will address
16 Plaintiffs’ Motion first. Plaintiffs claim liability against the County under two methods:
17 first by arguing that the County had policies that violated Plaintiffs’ constitutional rights
18 and second by arguing that the County engaged in deficient supervision and training. (Pl.
19 MSJ 30.)
20 A. Legal Standard
21 To establish municipal liability under § 1983 for violation of constitutional rights,
22 the plaintiffs must show that (1) they were deprived of a constitutional right; (2) the County
23 had a policy; (3) the policy amounted to a deliberate indifference to the constitutional right;
24 and (4) the policy was the “moving force behind the constitutional violation.” Mabe, 237
25 F.3d at 1110–11 (citing Van Ort v. Estate of Stanewich, 92 F.3d 831, 835 (9th Cir. 1996)).
26 In regards to the second element,
27 [T]here are three ways to show a policy or custom of a municipality: (1) by
showing “a longstanding practice or custom which constitutes the standard
28

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1 operating procedure of the local government entity”; (2) “by showing that the
decision-making official was, as a matter of state law, a final policymaking
2
authority whose edicts or acts may fairly be said to represent official policy in
3 the area of decision”; or (3) “by showing that an official with final
policymaking authority either delegated that authority to, or ratified the
4
decision of, a subordinate.”
5
Villegas v. Gilroy Garlic Festival Ass’n, 541 F.3d 950, 964 (9th Cir. 2008) (quoting Ulrich
6
v. City & County of San Francisco, 308 F.3d 968, 984–85 (9th Cir. 2002)).
7
B. Plaintiffs’ First Monell Theory: Unlawful Policies
8
Plaintiffs argue the County has various policies that were moving forces behind the
9
violations of Plaintiffs’ constitutional rights by Defendant social workers.
10
1. Warrant Process
11
Plaintiffs argue the County’s warrant process ensures constitutional violations.
12
Plaintiffs state “every social worker, supervising social worker, social worker trainee, and
13
person most knowledgeable for the County who was asked testified that it takes, at a
14
minimum, 2 full business days to obtain a protective custody warrant . . . because they are
15
required, due to County policy, to conduct a full investigation and prepare a Detention
16
Report rather than simply submit a Petition.” (Pl. MSJ 31–32.) Plaintiffs also state various
17
witnesses have testified that no warrants are issued on the weekends or after hours. (Pl.
18
Reply to County 14 (citing e.g., “Huidor Depo,” ECF No. 125-6, at 15).) Plaintiffs argue
19
“the County’s warrant process was a moving force behind the constitutional violations” of
20
removing the Garcia children without exigency. (Pl. MSJ 33.)
21
The Court finds there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the County’s
22
warrant process was a moving force behind Plaintiffs’ alleged constitutional violations.
23
McCann states she removed the children because, in part, she believed that the “parents
24
might get drunk again, and that Mr. Garcia might abuse one or more of the children in the
25
48–72 hours it would typically take to get a warrant.” (Def. Opp’n 13.) This time limit is
26
a factor in the reasonableness of McCann’s decision, see supra Section I.A. The Court
27
DENIES both Plaintiffs’ and Defendant’s Motions for Summary Judgment as to this claim.
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1 2. Discharge Policy
2 Plaintiffs argue the County had no practices surrounding discharges of children from
3 hospitals to PCC. (Pl. MSJ 33.) Plaintiffs agree the County had a “‘policy’ to address the
4 needs of such children,” but the social workers disregarded it and never used it. (Id. at 34.)
5 Plaintiffs argue the “failure to implement such practices” violates the County’s duty to
6 safeguard the well-being of children. (Id.) Plaintiffs state the County’s lack of
7 implementation for these policies was a moving force behind the violation of Cassandra’s
8 Fourth Amendment right and Sheila’s Fourteenth Amendment right, as addressed above.
9 (Pl. Reply 10–11.) The Court finds, supra Section I.A.2., that there is a question of material
10 fact as to whether a violation occurred when Cassandra was discharged and taken to PCC.
11 The Court DENIES Plaintiffs’ Motions for Summary Judgment as to this claim.
12 3. Failure to Notify Parents
13 Plaintiffs’ allege that the County had a policy, practice, or custom of “[f]ailing to
14 notify, discuss, consult, and obtain the consent of, parents when making medical and/or
15 mental health decisions regarding their minor child, including during removals from
16 hospitalizations.” (Compl. ¶ 73(k).) The County argues that the policy in fact provided
17 that “when a child is evaluated for potential hospitalization or is hospitalized, the assigned
18 social worker should immediately notify the child’s parents.” (County MSJ 30.)
19 Even if a jury determines that CPS failed to notify Sheila when making a medical
20 decision for Cassandra, see supra Section I.C., Plaintiffs have not alleged that there was a
21 County policy in this regard. In fact, Plaintiffs allege the Individual Defendants
22 “deliberately chose” to disregard the County’s Psychiatric Discharge policy. (Pl. Reply to
23 County 28.) This is not evidence of a policy that was a moving force behind an alleged
24 violation. The Court GRANTS the County’s MSJ for this claim.
25 4. PCC Policies (Re: Exposure to Danger and Adequate Therapy)
26 Plaintiffs argue the County had a duty to provide Cassandra with reasonable safety
27 and care once she was removed from her parents’ custody. (Pl. MSJ 34.) Plaintiffs argue
28 as a result of the County’s failure to do so, Cassandra was exposed to danger, and was not

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1 provided with adequate therapeutic support. (Id. at 34–36.) In support, Plaintiffs cite to
2 Tamas, wherein the Ninth Circuit held
3 [t]he Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process clause protects a foster
child’s liberty interest in social worker supervision and protection from harm
4
inflicted by a foster parent. Once the state assumes wardship of a child, the
5 state owes the child, as part of that person’s protected liberty interest,
reasonable safety and minimally adequate care.
6
7 630 F.3d at 842 (citing Lipscomb, 962 F.2d at 1379). Defendants argue that there is no
8 authority that placement in an emergency shelter, like Cassandra was, violates the child’s
9 constitutional rights. (Def. Opp’n 34–35.) Defendants argue Cassandra had no
10 constitutional right to a certain type of therapy, to placement in a certain room, or to a
11 “higher level of care.” (Id. at 35 (citing Pl. MSJ 35).)
12 The Court agrees that Cassandra was owed reasonable and adequate care, but the
13 Court finds that Plaintiffs have not demonstrated that a constitutional right has indisputably
14 been violated. The Court finds there is an issue of material fact as to whether Cassandra
15 was provided with reasonable and adequate care while at PCC, and to what that care would
16 entail. The Court DENIES both Plaintiffs’ and Defendant’s Motion as to this issue.
17 5. The County’s AWOL Practices
18 Plaintiffs state the County has deficient policies on how to handle AWOL events and
19 allows children to leave PCC and put themselves at risk of harm. (Pl. MSJ 37.) Plaintiffs
20 state PCC’s
21 AWOL protocol (Notice #35) and a longstanding practice that mandates that
22 only the child’s assigned social worker, a County employee outside of the
walls of PCC and mostly unavailable and unaware that a child may be about
23 to AWOL can order a PCC worker to put his or her hands on an AWOLing
24 child. Neither is effective to prevent a child who wishes to AWOL from
leaving the facility.
25 (Id. at 38 (citations omitted) (citing ECF No. 126-1, at 45–49) (Notice #35).) Plaintiffs
26 also state that the Protocol does not require PCC to notify the minor’s parents of the AWOL
27 event, (id. at 39–40), and only involves notification of the minor’s social worker which is
28 usually done through email, (id. at 39).

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1 According to a Notice to PCC staff issued by PCC, it is acknowledged that “it is

2 difficult to prevent a minor from running away from an unlocked facility like PCC.” (ECF
3 No. 126-1, at 45.) Staff may “position themselves to block the youth’s AWOL exit route,”
4 “may use verbal direction to re-direct the youth. Physical restraining behavior should not
5 be used.” And, “staff may surround the minor in a non-threatening manner and walk the
6 youth to a safe place to be counseled.” (Id. at 46.) If this is not effective, staff contacts the
7 Duty Officer who “will exercise professional judgment to decide if a standing restraint can
8 be used to prevent the youth from AWOL.” (Id. at 47.) In some situations, when the child
9 exhibits “Extraordinary AWOL behavior,” PCC staff may physically stop the child from
10 leaving the facility. (Id. at 45.) If the minor is exhibiting, among other things, extreme
11 agitated behavior or “concrete suicidal/homicidal ideation or behavior,” then that minor
12 may be restrained.
13 The first issue is what constitutional right is alleged to be violated by PCC’s policies.
14 Plaintiffs state it is the “right to be safe and protected in the County’s custody.” (Pl. Reply
15 17.) “Once the state assumes wardship of a child, the state owes the child, as part of that
16 person’s protected liberty interest, reasonable safety and minimally adequate care and
17 treatment appropriate to the age and circumstances of the child.” Lipscomb, 962 F.3d at
18 1379. Plaintiffs allege Cassandra’s right to safety and care was violated due to PCC’s
19 AWOL policy.
20 Defendant cites to Wilson v. County of San Diego, 91 Cal. App. 4th 974, 977–78 (Ct.
21 App. 2001), where a California Court of Appeal held that the County of San Diego “and
22 its employees did not have a mandatory duty to prevent an adolescent from running away
23 from Polinsky Children’s Center (Polinsky), where he was placed after being taken into
24 protective custody.” Defendants cite to Community Care Licensing restrictions which
25 “prohibit the County from locking all of the doors at Polinsky” and to California Welfare
26 and Institutions Code § 206 which “requires dependent children to be placed in a
27 ‘nonsecure’ facility.” (Def. Opp’n 39.)
28 Defendant has convincingly argued that it has no duty nor legal obligation to lock

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1 the children inside PCC. But, the issue is whether the policies at PCC violated Cassandra’s
2 right to be provided with reasonable safety, in other words, are PCC’s policies sufficient
3 to provide the constitutional level of care? Even if PCC could not physically lock the
4 doors, could the policies be more protective? Although a minor like Cassandra may not
5 have been exhibiting “concrete suicidal” behavior at the moment she went AWOL, should
6 PCC policies allow staff to physically restrain a minor based on her past behavior? The
7 Court finds that a genuine issue of material fact exists as to this issue, and a jury is to
8 determine whether PCC policies regarding AWOL provided Cassandra with reasonable
9 care and safety.
10 Because the Court determines there are genuine issues of material fact, the Court
11 DENIES both Plaintiffs’ and Defendant’s Motions for Summary Judgment as to this claim.
12 Along the same vein, because a genuine issue of material fact exists as to the issue of the
13 County’s failure to keep children safe at PCC, the Court DENIES the County’s Motion for
14 Summary Judgment as to Plaintiff’s allegation that in the County had a policy, practice, or
15 custom of “[f]ailing to properly supervise and care for children while within the custody of
16 COUNTY, and informing parents of their child’s condition and situation, including while
17 at PCC.” (County MSJ 31; Compl. ¶ 73(l).)
18 C. Plaintiffs’ Second Monell Theory: Inadequate Training and Supervision of
19 Employees
20 A plaintiff can establish § 1983 liability against a municipality by showing the
21 failure to train its employees, but only “where the failure to train amounts to deliberate
22 indifference to the rights of persons with whom the [employee] come into contact.” City
23 of Canton, 489 U.S. at 388. “Only where a municipality’s failure to train its employees in
24 a relevant respect evidences a ‘deliberate indifference’ to the rights of its inhabitants can
25 such a shortcoming be properly thought of as a city ‘policy or custom’ that is actionable
26 under § 1983.” Id. The plaintiff “must demonstrate a ‘conscious’ or ‘deliberate’ choice
27 on the part of a municipality in order to prevail on a failure to train claim.” Price v. Sery,
28 513 F.3d 962, 973 (9th Cir. 2008).

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1 Plaintiffs attack various allegedly deficient training programs in this regard: (1) the
2 County’s failure to ensure its social workers receive mandatory training on exigency; (2)
3 the County’s failure to train on its psychiatric policies; and (3) the County’s insufficient
4 training on safety at PCC. (Pl. MSJ 41–44.)
5 1. Exigency Training
6 Plaintiffs state that the County has implemented trainings for its social workers that
7 train them on exigency as it relates to the removal of children from the custody of their
8 parents. (Pl. MSJ 41.) But, Plaintiffs state that although these trainings are deemed
9 “mandatory,” neither Huidor nor McCann attended refresher training courses prior to the
10 removal of the Garcia children. (Id.) Plaintiffs state that this shows the County is
11 deliberately indifferent as to whether its social workers participate in these trainings and
12 there is no method in place to ensure that the social workers participate in the training. (Id.)
13 Defendants argue that evidence that two employees failing to attend a class is
14 insufficient to establish a deliberately indifferent policy. (Def. Opp’n 41.) Defendants also
15 argue that the there is no evidence the County was on notice that any omission violated
16 citizens’ constitutional rights. (Id. at 42 (citing Board of Cnty. Com’rs of Bryan Cnty. v.
17 Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 407 (1997)).) In reply, Plaintiffs respond that the County has been
18 considering implementing a tracking mechanism to determine whether or not a social
19 worker is receiving the necessary training for the past ten years, but has not yet
20 implemented such a system. (Pl. Reply to County 32 (citing Deposition of County’s Person
21 Most Knowledgeable Elyce Hoene).) Plaintiffs allege this longstanding failure amounts to
22 a deliberate choice on behalf of the County.
23 The Court finds there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether there was a
24 failure by the County to train its employees on this issue, whether this alleged failure
25 amounted to deliberate indifference. The Court finds that summary judgment is not
26 warranted on this issue, and Plaintiffs’ and the County’s Motions for Summary Judgment
27 as to this issue are DENIED.
28 ///

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1 2. Psychiatric Policy Training

2 Plaintiffs allege that McCann and Huidor “had no training on any of the County’s
3 psychiatric policies [and] they did not comply with the County’s Psychiatric Hospital
4 Discharge policy when assessing Cassandra and transferring her to PCC.” (Pl. MSJ 42.)
5 Plaintiffs also allege Salcido had no training on the County’s psychiatric policies because
6 he did not “visit [Cassandra] in the hospital within one working day of admission, on only
7 one occasion did he attend a treatment team meeting, and he did not plan for an appropriate
8 placement using a Team Decision-Making Meeting, as required by the County’s
9 Psychiatric Hospitalization policy.” (Id. (citing ECF No. 126-1, at 2–9 (psychiatric
10 policies)).) Plaintiffs say this failure was a moving force behind the violation of
11 “Cassandra’s wrongful removal, in violation of her Fourth and Sheila’s Fourteenth
12 Amendment rights, and Salcido and the County’s failure to protect Cassandra’s well-being
13 while she was in the County’s custody, in violation of her Fourteenth Amendment rights.”
14 (Id. at 43.)
15 Defendants argue Plaintiffs have not shown that their rights were violated or that any
16 violation was caused by the County’s failure to train its workers on the policies. (Def.
17 Opp’n 43.) Defendants argue that Plaintiffs’ allegations, that the social workers did not
18 comply with set policies, does not constitute a constitutional violation. (Id. at 44.)
19 Plaintiffs have failed to allege a lack of training on behalf of the County simply
20 because three people in this case allegedly did not comply with the County’s policies.
21 There is no evidence the County exerted any “deliberate indifference” to the need for more
22 or better training for its psychiatric policies. The Court GRANTS the County’s MSJ for
23 this claim.
24 3. Safety at PCC Training
25 Plaintiff argues there is deficient training at PCC that was a moving force behind
26 violations of the County’s duty to protect Cassandra’s well-being while she was in its
27 custody. (Pl. MSJ 44.) Plaintiffs have taken the depositions of various PCC employees,
28 and Plaintiffs say the depositions show “PCC employees do not fully understand what it is

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1 they are supposed to be doing.” (Id. at 43.)

2 In response, Defendant argues the County conducts training with Polinsky staff on
3 County and PCC policies and procedures, and on the procedures regarding interacting with
4 children at PCC and preventing AWOL incidents. (Def. Opp’n 45.) Defendants argue
5 PCC staff discuss the policies during staff meetings, and attend biannual refresher courses.
6 The problem here is that Plaintiffs disagree with PCC’s policies on children who
7 AWOL; not that PCC does not train its staff on its policies. Even if every employee had
8 followed PCC’s policies while Cassandra was AWOLing (the Court does not opine on this
9 one way or the other), Plaintiffs still would allege, and are alleging, that Cassandra’s rights
10 have been violated because she was not stopped from leaving PCC. There is no evidence
11 that PCC failed to train its employees on its policies, nor of a “conscious” or “deliberate”
12 choice on the party of the County in failing to train. See Blankenhorn v. City of Orange,
13 485 F.3d 463, 484 (9th Cir. 2007). The Court GRANTS the County’s MSJ as to this claim.
14 D. Policy Regarding School Interviews
15 Plaintiffs allege that in 2013, the County had a policy, practice, or custom of
16 “[i]nterviewing MINORS without their parents’ knowledge, consent, and presence,
17 without Court order and without justification.” (Compl. ¶ 73(j).) The first issue is whether
18 CNG and Cassandra’s constitutional rights were violated when McCann interviewed them
19 (CNG at school and Cassandra at the hospital). Plaintiffs have conceded that McCann is
20 protected by qualified immunity for her seizures and interviews of Cassandra and CNG.
21 (Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 35.) But, Plaintiffs note “this Court must rule on the constitutionality
22 of McCann’s conduct for the purposes of Plaintiffs’ Monell claim against the County of
23 San Diego concerning in-school interviews of suspected victims of child abuse.” (Id.)
24 1. Constitutionality of the Seizures
25 To succeed on their Fourth Amendment claim, Plaintiffs must show that a seizure
26 occurred and that the seizure was unreasonable. A seizure occurs when, in light of all the
27 circumstances, a reasonable person would have believed that he or she was not free to
28 leave. Jones v. Cnty. of Los Angeles, 802 F.3d 990, 1000–01 (9th Cir. 2015) (citing United

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1 States v. Mendenhall, 446 U.S. 544, 554 (1980)). “The Ninth Circuit has identified five
2 factors that aid in determining whether a person’s liberty has been so restrained.” United
3 States v. Brown, 563 F.3d 410, 415 (9th Cir. 2009). Those factors are “(1) the number of
4 officers; (2) whether weapons were displayed; (3) whether the encounter occurred in a
5 public or non-public setting; (4) whether the officer's authoritative manner would imply
6 that compliance would be compelled; and (4) whether the officers advised the detainee of
7 his right to terminate the encounter.” Id.
8 As another court in this district has held: “These factors do not fit neatly into the
9 context of a child interviewed by a social worker during a child abuse investigation.
10 Because whether a seizure occurs depends on the totality of circumstances, the Court also
11 considers [the child’s] age, education, mental development, and familiarity with the
12 interview process.” Dees v. Cnty. of San Diego, No. 14-cv-189-BEN-DHB, 2017 WL
13 4511003, at *6 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 10, 2017). The Court concurs and adopts those factors here.
14 a. Interview of CNG
15 On January 28, 2013, McCann went to CNG’s school, Thurgood Marshall
16 Elementary School, and asked the staff to allow her to interview CNG. (McCann Decl.
17 ¶ 12.) CNG was 10 years old. She met with McCann alone with no one else present.
18 McCann states she told CNG she could have someone else present with her, but CNG
19 declined (Id.) McCann told CNG she could leave at any time, (id.), but Plaintiffs state
20 CNG was never told she did not have to meet with McCann in the first place, (Pl. Reply
21 32). Indeed, CNG states she was given a note that said “Go to the principal’s office” and
22 she left class and met McCann. (“CNG Depo.,” ECF No. 127, at 63). CNG remembers
23 McCann being nice and not rude. (Id. at 64.) McCann states the interview lasted fifteen
24 minutes; CNG believes it lasted longer than this but does not remember. (Id.)
25 Naturally, Plaintiffs cite to Dees, where Judge Benitez found that McCann seized
26 another minor child when she interviewed her at school. 2017 WL 4511003, at *6 (“A
27 reasonable nine-year-old child who is called out of class by school officials for the purpose
28 of meeting with a social worker who has already disturbed the child’s family life, and who

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1 is not advised that she may refuse to speak with the social worker, will feel compelled to
2 talk to the social worker and remain there until dismissed.”).
3 Here, unlike in Dees, CNG had never met McCann previously nor is there any
4 indication she had any experience with social workers. But, similar to Dees, there is
5 evidence that CNG felt compelled to speak with McCann; she was “pulled out of class,”
6 McCann told her “I’m going to ask you a few questions,” and she does not remember
7 McCann telling her she could stop talking to her at any time. (CNG Depo. 63–64.) The
8 Court finds that a seizure occurred; a reasonable child in CNG’s position would have
9 believed that she was not free to leave. Jones, 802 F.3d at 1000–01. But, the seizure must
10 have been unreasonable for CNG’s Fourth Amendment right to have been violated.
11 As Judge Benitez noted, “[n]either the Supreme Court nor the Ninth Circuit has
12 decided what reasonableness standard applies to seizures of children at school during child
13 abuse investigations.” Dees, 2017 WL 4511003, at *7. After analyzing relevant authority,
14 Judge Benitez concluded “McCann needed a warrant, court order, parental consent,
15 exigency, or at the very least, reasonable suspicion to seize and interview [the minor].” Id.;
16 see Greene, 588 F.3d at 1027 (holding the seizure of a nine-year-old child “in the absence
17 of a warrant, a court order, exigent circumstances, or parental consent was
18 unconstitutional”). In this case, there was no warrant, court order, or parental consent for
19 McCann to interview CNG. But, in contrast to Dees, here, McCann had reasonable
20 suspicion that CNG was the subject of child abuse or sexual misconduct. See Terry v.
21 Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 19–27 (1968) (holding that an officer’s reasonable suspicion of criminal
22 activity may justify a brief investigatory detention); Dees, 2017 WL 2017 WL 4511003, at
23 *7 n.2 (the court “assume[d], without deciding, that a seizure could be reasonable if the
24 social worker had reasonable suspicion that the child was the victim of child abuse and
25 neglect”). The Court finds that such a suspicion should be taken into consideration when
26 determining the reasonableness of a seizure. McCann had met with Cassandra who
27 allegedly disclosed to McCann the incident with Rudy, and McCann had been informed
28 that Cassandra began “sobbing hysterically” when asked if Rudy had touched her sisters

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1 inappropriately. (McCann Decl. ¶ 11.) It is reasonable to infer that CNG may have been
2 subjected to inappropriate touching, like McCann believed Cassandra had been. Therefore,
3 because of this reasonable suspicion, the Court finds McCann did not violate CNG’s Fourth
4 Amendment rights by briefly interviewing CNG at school.13
5 b. Interview of Cassandra
6 On January 28, 2013 McCann interviewed Cassandra while in the hospital, while
7 accompanied by Detective Heizmann. The Court again finds a seizure occurred; not only
8 was McCann conducting the interview, but a police detective was present as well. Further,
9 it is clear Cassandra was emotionally vulnerable and in a troubled state at the time,
10 separated from her family, and had recently threatened to commit suicide. It would be
11 reasonable to assume she did not feel free to end the interview. However, the Court finds
12 it was not an unreasonable seizure, for the same reasons articulated above as to CNG.
13 McCann had a reasonable suspicion, through a documented report submitted by a hospital
14 social worker, that Cassandra was a victim of sexual abuse. Therefore, the Court finds
15 McCann did not violate Cassandra’s Fourth Amendment rights by interviewing Cassandra
16 at the hospital.
17 The Court GRANTS Individual Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment as it
18 relates to Plaintiff’s claim of violation of Cassandra and CNG’s Fourth Amendment rights
19 due to unreasonable seizures. Because the Court finds no constitutional violation, the Court
20 likewise GRANTS the County’s Motion for Summary Judgment as it relates to Plaintiffs’
21 allegation that the County had a policy of conducting unlawful school interviews. (County
22 MSJ 28.)
23 E. The Remainder of the County’s MSJ
24 The majority of the issues in the County’s MSJ have been addressed above, but the
25
26
13
This finding does not contradict the Court’s earlier finding regarding exigency. Here, the Court finds
27 it was reasonable for McCann to think the Garcia children may have been subjected to sexual misconduct
28 by their parent. This does not mean that the Court finds it was reasonable for McCann to remove the
children without a warrant; this issue still presents a genuine issue of material fact.

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1 Court addresses any allegations identified by the County in its Motion.

2 1. Coercive/Intimidating Conduct
3 The County moves for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ allegation that in 2013,
4 the County had a policy, practice, or custom of “[u]sing coercive, intimidating, abusive,
5 demeaning, and improper conduct during their investigation of Plaintiffs, including using
6 the threat of removal of the MINORS when no basis for removal was present.” (County
7 MSJ 9; Compl. ¶ 73(a).) Plaintiffs no longer assert this claim. (Pl. Opp’n to County 6.)
8 The Court GRANTS Defendant’s MSJ as to this claim.
9 2. Evidence Fabrication
10 The County moves for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ allegation that in 2013,
11 the County had a policy, practice, or custom of “[f]abricating, or failing to provide
12 exculpatory evidence, in report requests for court orders with the intent of violating the
13 rights of the Plaintiffs.” (County MSJ 11; Compl. ¶ 73(c).) The Court analyzes this with
14 two similar allegations, of which the County also moves for summary judgment. The
15 County moves for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ allegation that in 2013, the County
16 had a policy, practice, or custom of “[u]sing trickery, duress, fabrication and/or false
17 testimony or evidence, and in failing to provide exculpatory evidence in preparing and
18 presenting reports and court documents to the Court.” (County MSJ 13; Compl. ¶ 73(e).)
19 Finally, the County also moves for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ allegation that in
20 2013, the County had a policy, practice, or custom of “[s]igning and presenting petitions
21 in dependency actions under the penalty of perjury without personal knowledge of the truth
22 and/or accuracy of the allegations contained therein.” (County MSJ 13; Compl. ¶ 73(g).)
23 In response, Plaintiffs state that when the County’s Person Most Knowledgeable (“PMK”)
24 Elyce Hoene was asked to identify a policy that social workers must be honest and submit
25 accurate reports, she “thought” that the issue was covered by the code of ethics. (Pl. Opp’n
26 to County 28.) Plaintiffs state this is proof there is no policy regarding honesty and against
27 fabrication. In reply, the County cites to the Social Worker Code of Ethics, which states
28 the County strives to “help SWs [Social Workers] maintain high standards of personal

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1 conduct in the capacity or identity of social worker,” and that Workers shall “[n]ot engage
2 in any action that would violate or diminish the civil or legal rights of clients.” (County
3 Reply 15.)
4 The Court finds that there is no genuine issue of material fact that there is no policy
5 that was a moving force behind the alleged violation of Plaintiffs’ rights. Even if McCann
6 did fabricate evidence, and even if the County’s PMK could not point to a policy that
7 encourages honesty, this does not mean the opposite is true, namely that there is a policy
8 that encourages fabrication. Plaintiffs have presented no question of material fact as to
9 whether the County has a policy of custom that encourages dishonesty. The Court finds
10 there is no policy that would create municipal liability for the County. The Court
11 GRANTS the County’s MSJ as to these three claims, (Compl. ¶ 73(c), (e), and (h)).
12 3. Removal from Custody
13 The County moves for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ allegation that in 2013,
14 the County had a policy, practice, or custom of “[c]ausing minor children to be dependents
15 of the County, and continuing to be dependents; thus removing their legal and physical
16 custody from their parents beyond a reasonable period after the basis for such removal is
17 negated.” (County MSJ 12; Compl. ¶ 73(d).) Plaintiffs no longer assert this claim. (Pl.
18 Opp’n to County 6.) The Court GRANTS the County’s MSJ as to this claim.
19 4. Intimidation
20 The County moves for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ allegation that in 2013, the
21 County had a policy, practice, or custom of “[u]sing intimidation, fear, threats, coercion,
22 retaliation, misrepresentation and duress during their investigation of allegations of child
23 abuse and/or neglect, and during the pendency of dependency proceedings.” (County MSJ
24 14; Compl. ¶ 73(h).) Plaintiffs no longer assert this claim. (Pl. Opp’n to County 6.) The
25 Court GRANTS the County’s MSJ as to this claim.
26 5. Discipline of Employees
27 The County moves for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ allegation that the County
28 has acted with deliberate indifference in “failing to correct the wrongful conduct of other

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1 employees” who perform actions related to child welfare services. (County MSJ 34;
2 Compl. ¶ 73(n).)
3 Plaintiffs argue that Huidor, Palafox and Quintanilla, as supervisors, “adopted a
4 uniform disregard of the known and/or obvious consequences of the actions of their social
5 workers.” (Pl. Opp’n to County 33.) Plaintiffs state that none of the Defendants were
6 counseled or disciplined in any way for their actions related to this matter. (Id. at 34 (citing
7 to deposition of Michelle Deitrich, the County’s PMK concerning discipline).)
8 In response, Defendants argue that Plaintiffs have not proven a violation under the
9 ratification theory, which requires them to show the “authorized policymakers approve[d]
10 a subordinate’s decision and the basis for it.” Christie v. Iopa, 176 F.3d 1231, 1238–39
11 (9th Cir. 1999). Ratification requires, “among other things, knowledge of the alleged
12 constitutional violation.” Id. “Neither a policymaker’s mere knowledge of, nor the
13 policymaker’s mere refusal to overrule or discipline, a subordinate’s unconstitutional act
14 suffices to show ratification.” Rabinovitz v. City of Los Angeles, 287 F. Supp. 3d 933,
15 967–68 (C.D. Cal. 2018) (citing Christie, 176 F.3d at 1239). (County Reply 19.)
16 Plaintiffs have presented no evidence that the supervisors knew of the basis for the
17 alleged constitutional violations and authorized the decisions. Even if Plaintiffs prove the
18 underlying constitutional violations, Plaintiffs have only alleged the supervisors had
19 knowledge of the violations but did not overrule or discipline the social workers. (See Pl.
20 Opp’n to Individ. 34–35.) This is insufficient to show ratification. The Court GRANTS
21 the County’s MSJ as to this claim.
22 III. Individual Defendants’ MSJ
23 The majority of the issues in the Individual Defendants’ MSJ are covered above.
24 The Court addresses the remaining issues.
25 A. Defendant Walsh
26 Defendant Srisuda Walsh works for CPS and approved the Risk and Safety
27 Assessment forms completed by McCann on January 30, 2013. (Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 23.)
28 Defendants argue Defendant Walsh was not actively involved in this case: “She was not

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1 in the office on the day of the removal, made no decisions regarding the removal, did not
2 review or approve any court reports, and was not involved after the dependency case began.
3 Her only possible involvement was to approve two forms that McCann filled out.”
4 (Individuals MSJ 29.) Plaintiffs do not appear to contest that this was Walsh’s only
5 involvement in this case and only refer to Walsh’s approval of the forms in their response.
6 (Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 23–24.)
7 Plaintiffs respond by pointing to the alleged inaccuracies in the forms McCann filled
8 out, and stating Walsh “simply approved” the forms rather than question McCann. (Id. at
9 24.) Plaintiffs state the forms were rubber-stamped by Walsh who “ignored her duties and
10 responsibilities and allowed McCann to do whatever she pleased without supervision or
11 oversight.” (Id.) Plaintiffs cite to Boyd v. Benton County, 374 F.3d 773, 780 (9th Cir.
12 2004), where the Ninth Circuit held that a group of individuals can be liable if each is an
13 “integral participant” in the violation. There, although one officer deployed a flash-bang
14 (which was a Fourth Amendment violation), the other officers “participated in some
15 meaningful way” because they were aware of the decision to use the flash-bang, did not
16 object to it, and “participated in the search operation knowing the flash-bang was to be
17 deployed.” Id.
18 Boyd was distinguished by another district court in Monteilh v. County of Los
19 Angeles, 820 F. Supp. 2d 1081, 1090 (C.D. Cal. 2011). There, similar to the present case,
20 a child was removed from his home by a social worker in alleged violation of his
21 constitutional rights. The issue was whether the officers that were present could be held
22 liable for the violation. The officers “stood outside Plaintiff’s home, behind the social
23 workers, armed, and in full uniform” but the court held that their presence “is insufficient
24 to establish integral participation if the Officers have no knowledge of or reason to know
25 of an unlawful act.” Id. The officers were never given a reason to believe that the social
26 workers did not have authority to remove the child and no reason to believe there were no
27 exigent circumstances.
28 Here, Walsh was not present at the removal and her only involvement was reviewing

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1 forms filled out by McCann. This case can therefore be distinguished from Boyd where
2 the officers acted as a team and carried out a preplanned search operation. 374 F.3d at 777.
3 Before the search, the officers “gathered for a briefing” and “discussed various
4 circumstances surrounding the operation.” Id. Only after this collective discussion did the
5 supervising sergeant make the ultimate decision to use a flash-bang device. Id. In contrast,
6 no facts in this case suggest that Walsh was privy to any discussions, briefings, or collective
7 decisions made by the other social workers. Even assuming all of Plaintiffs’ allegations
8 were true (i.e., that McCann filled out the forms inaccurately and removed the children
9 without exigency, (see Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 23)), Walsh had no reason to know that this
10 was so and had no knowledge of the circumstances before McCann made the decision.
11 Approving a form does not make someone an integral participant. The Court GRANTS
12 Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment regarding Plaintiffs’ claims against Defendant
13 Walsh. Defendant Walsh is no longer a part of this case.
14 B. Judicial Deception
15 Plaintiffs argue “[h]ad Salcido, Palafox and Quintanilla complied with their duty and
16 obligation to investigate and corroborate the allegations made by McCann and Huidor, they
17 ‘would have known [these statements] were false had [they] not recklessly disregarded the
18 truth.’” (Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 39 (quoting Hardwick v. Cnty. of Orange, 844 F.3d 1112,
19 1118 (9th Cir. 2017)).) Plaintiffs state these three Defendants “continued to report the
20 falsehoods included in McCann and Huidor’s Petitions and Detention Report, specifically
21 repeating, verbatim, the totally false statements made by McCann in the Petitions.” (Id. at
22 38.) There is no allegation that these three Defendants made any false statements or
23 omissions; the only allegation is that they should have been better supervisors and/or
24 investigators of McCann’s statements. There is no allegation that they “repeated”
25 falsehoods from McCann intentionally. This is insufficient to establish judicial deception.
26 The Court GRANTS Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment as to judicial deception
27 as to Salcido, Palafox, and Quintanilla. This removes Defendants Palafox and Quintanilla
28 from the case.

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1 C. Waiver
2 Defendants argue Plaintiffs waived challenges to Defendants’ post-removal conduct
3 by not objecting in state court. (Individuals MSJ 37.) In January 2013, a juvenile
4 dependency action was filed and pursued in juvenile court. At the hearing on January 31,
5 2013, Plaintiffs were represented by attorneys but “did not challenge the Agency’s
6 recommendation that the children remain outside the home, nor did they cross-examine
7 Ms. McCann, call any witnesses, or present any other evidence. Later in the juvenile
8 dependency action, Plaintiffs did not present evidence, raise any claims regarding ‘false or
9 fabricated evidence,’ or challenge the Agency’s recommendation that the court take
10 jurisdiction over the children. Instead, Plaintiffs waived their rights to challenge the
11 juvenile court’s orders, including its detention orders.” (Individuals MSJ 37.) Indeed,
12 Sheila executed a “Waiver of Rights” wherein she stated she wished to “submit the petition
13 on the basis of the social worker’s . . . report and other documents.” (ECF No. 127, at 83.)
14 This form noted that she was giving up certain rights.
15 In response, Plaintiffs state Defendants are arguing that Plaintiffs’ claims are barred
16 by the Rooker-Feldman doctrine. (Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 43); see D.C. Court of Appeals v.
17 Feldman, 460 U.S. 462 (1983); Rooker v. Fidelity Trust Co., 263 U.S. 413 (1923). Under
18 this doctrine, federal district courts may not exercise appellate jurisdiction over state court
19 decisions even when the challenge to the state court decision involves federal constitutional
20 issues. Noel v. Hall, 341 F.3d 1148, 1163–64 (9th Cir. 2003) (holding that Rooker-
21 Feldman doctrine applies “[i]f a federal plaintiff asserts as a legal wrong an allegedly
22 erroneous decision by a state court, and seeks relief from a state court judgment based on
23 that decision”). Plaintiffs argue they are not appealing the Juvenile Court orders and thus
24 their claims are not barred by Rooker-Feldman. The Court agrees, but, Plaintiffs have not
25 addressed the entirety of Defendants’ arguments. The Court must analyze whether
26 Plaintiffs waived their right to make certain challenges due to their actions in the juvenile
27 court proceedings (i.e., by not objecting and filing a waiver).
28 Signing a waiver of rights is not the same as agreeing to the allegations of the

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1 petition. It merely means that the party does not wish to present evidence at the hearing
2 and is willing to have the juvenile court decide the issues based on the social worker’s
3 reports and other information already presented to the court. Rosa S. v. Superior Court,
4 100 Cal. App. 4th 1181, 1196 (Ct. App. 2002). When a party submits to the findings, “the
5 parent acquiesces as to the state of the evidence yet preserves the right to challenge it as
6 insufficient to support a particular legal conclusion. Thus, the parent does not waive for
7 appellate purposes his or her right to challenge the propriety of the court’s orders.” In re
8 Richard K., 25 Cal. App. 4th 580, 589 (Ct. App. 1994) (internal citations omitted).
9 California Rules of Court provide a parent has options in this situation: “The parent or
10 guardian may elect to admit the allegations of the petition or plead no contest and waive
11 further jurisdictional hearing. The parent or guardian may elect to submit the jurisdictional
12 determination to the court based on the information provided to the court and choose
13 whether to waive further jurisdictional hearing.” Cal. Rules of Court 4.682(d). The rules
14 further provide that a parent “submits to the jurisdictional determination in writing” by
15 completing form JV-190, as Sheila did here. After this submission, the court must still
16 make a finding “[w]hether the allegations of the petition as submitted are true as alleged.”
17 Cal. Rules of Court 4.682(e)(8).
18 Sheila’s execution of JV-190 does not constitute a waiver of her rights to challenge
19 the social workers’ evidence and statements, nor an admission that the petition was true.
20 The form only precluded her from presenting evidence at the juvenile court hearing. The
21 Court DENIES Individual Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment on the claim of
22 waiver.
23 D. Injunctive Relief
24 Defendants move for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ claim for injunctive relief.
25 (Individuals MSJ 47.) Plaintiffs respond that they do not request injunctive relief against
26 the Individual Defendants. (Pl. Opp’n to Individ. 47.) The Court GRANTS the Individual
27 Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment for the claim of injunctive relief.
28 ///

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1 E. Punitive Damages
2 Plaintiffs’ Complaint includes a prayer for punitive damages as against the
3 Individual Defendants. (Compl. at 33.) Individual Defendants request the Court to enter
4 summary judgment on this claim because Plaintiffs cannot prove punitive damages.
5 (Individuals MSJ 48.) As set forth in the Ninth Circuit jury instructions, punitive damages
6 may be awarded if “the defendant’s conduct that harmed the plaintiff was malicious,
7 oppressive or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.”
8 The Court has found herein that Defendants Walsh, Palafox, and Quintanilla should
9 be dismissed from this suit. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ request for
10 punitive damages as to these three Defendants. Because the Court finds in this order that
11 Defendants McCann, Huidor, and Salcido are not entitled to summary judgment on all of
12 Plaintiffs’ claims, the Court finds summary judgment is likewise inappropriate on
13 Plaintiffs’ prayer for punitive damages. Accordingly, the Court DENIES Individual
14 Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment as to Plaintiffs’ request for punitive damages
15 against Defendants McCann, Huidor, and Salcido.
16 CONCLUSION
17 For the foregoing reasons, the Court rules as follows. First, the Court DENIES IN
18 FULL Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment, except:
19 1. The Court defers ruling on the claims regarding examinations of the children at PCC.
20
21 The Court GRANTS the County’s Motion for Summary Judgment as to:
22 1. Plaintiffs’ claims regarding the County’s training on safety at PCC;
23 2. Plaintiffs’ claims they are no longer asserting (i.e., Coercive Conduct, Compl.
24 ¶ 73(a); Removal from Custody, Compl. ¶73(d); and Intimidation, Compl. ¶ 73(h));
25 3. Plaintiffs’ claims regarding policies of evidence fabrication and perjury, (Compl.
26 ¶ 73(c), (e), and (g));
27 4. Plaintiffs’ claims regarding a policy of conducting unconstitutional school
28 interviews, (Compl. ¶ 73(j));

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1 5. Plaintiffs’ claims regarding policies of failing to notify parents, (Compl. ¶ 73(k));

2 6. Plaintiffs’ claims regarding discipline of social workers, (Compl. ¶ 73(n)).
3 The Court DENIES the remainder of the Motion.
4
5 The Court GRANTS Individual Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment as to:
6 1. Plaintiffs’ claim of violation of Cassandra and CNG’s Fourth Amendment rights due
7 to unreasonable seizures;
8 2. Plaintiffs’ claims against Defendants Walsh, Quintanilla, and Palafox;
9 3. Plaintiffs’ claim of judicial deception against Defendant Salcido;
10 4. Plaintiffs’ state law claims.
11 5. Plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief.
12 The Court DENIES the remainder of the Motion.
13 IT IS SO ORDERED.
14 Dated: June 18, 2018
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