In re B.H. CA4/2

FACTS

On September 20, 2022, San Bernardino County Children and Family Services

(the department) received an immediate response call on behalf of 22-month-old Bella H.

Her mother and father were being arrested for burglary of items from a short-term rental

home where they had been staying with another couple.

Detectives also found needles at the home but did not know who owned them.

Mother told the social worker she last used marijuana in 2018 and denied using drugs at

the time. Father acknowledged he used “meth” a couple times a week for four years,

including the day before. One of their friends acknowledged using methamphetamine,

said her partner used methamphetamine and marijuana, and said they had used the day

before.

Both parents had lengthy criminal histories and prior child welfare referrals, many

drug-related and three concerning Bella. A dependency involving mother’s three older

children had resulted in their being placed into guardianship with the maternal

grandmother.

2 Bella was detained without a warrant and, two days later, the department filed a

section 300 petition alleging the parents had substance abuse problems and extensive

criminal histories,…