In re T.H. CA1/1

BACKGROUND

After mother tested positive for methamphetamines during her pregnancy and at birth, the Department filed a section 300 petition alleging a failure to protect (§ 300, subd. (b)). In March 2022, mother submitted on the allegation, and the juvenile court sustained the petition and took jurisdiction over newborn minor. Mother was unsure of the identity of the father. Although she listed her current boyfriend E.C. on minor’s birth certificate, mother was pregnant before she met E.C., and she thought her ex-boyfriend W.T. might be the father. After the jurisdiction hearing but before the six-month hearing, the Department located W.T. (hereinafter father). In its six-month review report, the Department recommended continued reunification services for mother. It also recommended father be elevated to “presumed father” status and be provided with reunification services. The Department reported father wanted minor returned to his care and had started visitation in August 2022. Father had been homeless for eight months but was temporarily living with his girlfriend, and the two were trying to find an apartment. Minor, now eight months old, had been placed

2 with a maternal…