Section 7822 Of Chapter 2. Circumstances Where Proceeding May Be Brought From California Family Law Code >> Division 12. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 2.
7822
. (a) A proceeding under this part may be brought if any of the
following occur:
(1) The child has been left without provision for the child's
identification by the child's parent or parents.
(2) The child has been left by both parents or the sole parent in
the care and custody of another person for a period of six months
without any provision for the child's support, or without
communication from the parent or parents, with the intent on the part
of the parent or parents to abandon the child.
(3) One parent has left the child in the care and custody of the
other parent for a period of one year without any provision for the
child's support, or without communication from the parent, with the
intent on the part of the parent to abandon the child.
(b) The failure to provide identification, failure to provide
support, or failure to communicate is presumptive evidence of the
intent to abandon. If the parent or parents have made only token
efforts to support or communicate with the child, the court may
declare the child abandoned by the parent or parents. In the event
that a guardian has been appointed for the child, the court may still
declare the child abandoned if the parent or parents have failed to
communicate with or support the child within the meaning of this
section.
(c) If the child has been left without provision for the child's
identification and the whereabouts of the parents are unknown, a
petition may be filed after the 120th day following the discovery of
the child and citation by publication may be commenced. The petition
may not be heard until after the 180th day following the discovery of
the child.
(d) If the parent has agreed for the child to be in the physical
custody of another person or persons for adoption and has not signed
an adoption placement agreement pursuant to Section 8801.3, a consent
to adoption pursuant to Section 8814, or a relinquishment to a
licensed adoption agency pursuant to Section 8700, evidence of the
adoptive placement shall not in itself preclude the court from
finding an intent on the part of that parent to abandon the child. If
the parent has placed the child for adoption pursuant to Section
8801.3, consented to adoption pursuant to Section 8814, or
relinquished the child to a licensed adoption agency pursuant to
Section 8700, and has then either revoked the consent or rescinded
the relinquishment, but has not taken reasonable action to obtain
custody of the child, evidence of the adoptive placement shall not in
itself preclude the court from finding an intent on the part of that
parent to abandon the child.
(e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (d), if the
parent of an Indian child has transferred physical care, custody and
control of the child to an Indian custodian, that action shall not be
deemed to constitute an abandonment of the child, unless the parent
manifests the intent to abandon the child by either of the following:
(1) Failing to resume physical care, custody, and control of the
child upon the request of the Indian custodian provided that if the
Indian custodian is unable to make a request because the parent has
failed to keep the Indian custodian apprised of his or her
whereabouts and the Indian custodian has made reasonable efforts to
determine the whereabouts of the parent without success, there may be
evidence of intent to abandon.
(2) Failing to substantially comply with any obligations assumed
by the parent in his or her agreement with the Indian custodian
despite the Indian custodian's objection to the noncompliance.