In re W.D. CA3

BACKGROUND

On February 16, 2023, the San Joaquin County Human Services Agency (Agency) filed a juvenile dependency petition regarding the three-month old minor, alleging a failure to protect under section 300, subdivision (b)(1). The petition alleged that mother, N.P., tested positive twice for benzodiazepines while minor was in her care. It alleged that mother shook, pinched, and screamed at minor while he was crying. It further alleged that mother had a long history of substance abuse issues and had failed to rehabilitate. With respect to father, the petition asserted that he had an extensive history of methamphetamine use that impaired his ability to care for minor and that he had failed or refused to rehabilitate. The Agency’s jurisdiction and detention report detailed information concerning mother’s care of minor. Minor was living with mother at a shelter with a residential program for substance abuse treatment. A mental health worker visited mother and reported concerns about her erratic behaviors. It was reported that mother was seen shaking and pinching minor because he was crying. The report also stated that, three weeks earlier, mother had left the shelter to obtain…