In re Marley F. A2/2

BACKGROUND

I. The Family

In addition to minor, mother has five other children: Madelyn F. (Madelyn, born Oct. 2006), Cruz B. (Cruz, born Nov. 2007), E.F. and A.F. (the twins, born Jan. 2015), and M.F. (born Oct. 2019). Only minor is the subject of this appeal. Minor’s father, William L. (father), is not the father of any of mother’s other children. Father is not a party to this appeal.

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

II. Referral

The family came to the attention of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in January 2015 after the twins were born premature and mother tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamines.

III. Exercise of Dependency Jurisdiction

In March 2015, DCFS filed a juvenile dependency petition regarding minor, Madelyn, Cruz, and the twins, followed by a first amended dependency petition. As relevant to minor, in July 2015, the juvenile court sustained counts under section 300, subdivision (b)(1) (failure to protect), pertaining to mother’s and father’s substance abuse and father’s mental health issues. The court declared minor a dependent of…