In re A.W. CA3

BACKGROUND

During a road trip in New Jersey, mother had a physical altercation with a woman. The minor, then seven years old, intervened and sustained minor injuries. Mother was arrested, placed on a section 5150 mental hold, and transferred to jail. The minor was placed in protective custody in New Jersey. Mother completed a psychiatric and psychological evaluation for Child Protective Services (CPS) in New Jersey which showed that she had symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. But mother denied having mental health problems and refused treatment. The case was transferred to Sacramento County, California, where mother lived, and the Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (Department) filed a dependency petition pursuant to section 300, subdivision (b). The petition alleged failure to protect the minor due to mother’s untreated mental health issues and substance abuse, putting the minor at substantial risk of serious harm. The minor’s resource parent in New Jersey reported the minor was in her care and doing well. Mother and father were having supervised telephone contact with the minor with no concerns. The resource parent reported that father…