Yah, in this case the parent can thank their governor Jerry Brown:
"The decision came as immigrant rights advocates were pushing legislation to limit car seizures, saying they unfairly penalize a group of people who are denied licenses. In October, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill co-authored by Assemblyman Michael Allen, D-Santa Rosa, that would allow police to release cars to a representative of the owner rather than impounding them for 30 days." (
LINK)
RIP Christopher "Buddy" Rowe