In re R.C. CA2/5

I. BACKGROUND

A. The Department’s Initial Investigation and Detention The Department began investigating Minor’s welfare in November 2021. In an interview with a social worker, Mother presented with a “flat affect” but denied she suffered from any mental health issues and denied Minor was being neglected. Asked about her living arrangements, Mother advised she was “couch surfing at friend[s’] homes.” When the social worker attempted to speak with Mother regarding obtaining a medical assessment of Minor and establishing a safety plan (Minor

1 Minor’s father, whose parental rights were also terminated by the juvenile court, was never identified during the dependency proceedings and, accordingly, is not a party to this appeal.

2 appeared malnourished and underweight for her age), Mother hurriedly left the interview.2 The social worker spoke with two maternal cousins, S.M. and B.B., and a maternal aunt J.T. Two of the relatives reported Minor’s father was the maternal grandfather and that he had been sexually abusing Mother for years. Those same two relatives also expressed reservations about Mother’s mental health. All three, however, asserted they did not have any concerns…