In re D.C. CA1/2

BACKGROUND

On November 3, 2023, D.C.’s mother was pulled over in an area known for high drug activity. D.C., then three years old, was asleep in the back of the vehicle. The police discovered marijuana and methamphetamine within

1 reach of D.C. Mother was subsequently arrested for drug sales and child endangerment. D.C. has three half siblings: A.G., F.G., and S.G. D.C. was turned over to the care of his adult sibling, S.G., who was already caring for D.C.’s two other juvenile siblings, A.G. and F.G. On November 7, 2023, the Alameda County Social Services Agency (Agency) filed a petition pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 300 for all three juvenile children, D.C., A.G., and F.G. Pursuant to section 300, subdivision (b)(1), the petition alleged the children suffered, or there was a substantial risk that the children would suffer, serious physical harm or illness as a result of mother’s inability to provide regular care for the children due to her substance use. The petition also alleged that D.C. had been left without any provision for support under section 300, subdivision (g) because father’s whereabouts and ability to care for D.C. were unknown at the time. The…