First Apellate District partially reverses Judge Kelly Neel's ruling in juvenile case

 

A reader sent me an email summarizing the partial reversal of a ruling by Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Kelly Neel.

The screenshots above are of page 1 and 2 of the actual ruling. You can compare it to the summary and opinion of the reader.

This is how you provide a tip and the proper use of contact information I provide.

Reader's email to me:

"On May 7/8, 2026, the First District Court of Appeal (A173461, certified for publication) reversed Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Kelly Neel's dismissal of dependency petitions for two young siblings. The case involved a 2-year-old hospitalized with a femur fracture and malnutrition (severe growth failure, deficiencies, diluted formula). While the court upheld the dismissal on the injury counts due to conflicting evidence, it found the evidence compelled jurisdiction on the malnutrition risk as a matter of law. The opinion notes issues with the trial court's evaluation of the evidence and parent's insight.

Full opinion here: [link]. This seems like a significant child welfare matter in Humboldt County. PDF attached."