In re K.H. CA4/3

FACTS

SSA’s child welfare related involvement with mother dates to 2018. In June 2018, SSA removed her then three-year-old daughter, K.H., from her care based on allegations of a failure to protect and no provision of support. Roughly six months later, the juvenile court declared K.H. a dependent and returned her to mother under family maintenance services.

All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 Following a couple of review hearings at which family maintenance services were ordered to be continued, the court terminated dependency. Mother was given sole physical custody and K.H.’s father was given specified visitation. In August 2021, SSA received a substantiated referral for general neglect of K.H. by mother after the minor was found alone at a park. Upon being located, mother stated she fell asleep because she was pregnant and tired. K.H. was returned to her. Roughly one month later, in September 2021, mother was admitted to the hospital and tested positive for benzodiazepines, opiates, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Five days later, mother gave birth to K.T.; the father’s name was known, but his exact whereabouts were not. That…