In re M.C. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

Detention and section 300 petition On April 9, 2011, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (Department) received an emergency response referral on behalf of newborn M. During delivery, mother disclosed that she was hearing voices and hallucinating. After M.’s birth, mother continued to display symptoms of mental illness, including manic behavior and paranoia. The Department’s social worker met with mother in the hospital on April 9, 2011. During that meeting, mother reported a history of mental health issues but would not disclose her diagnosis. She stated that she chose to discontinue taking medication but would not disclose the medication previously prescribed for her. Mother further stated she did not know the identity of M.’s father. The following day, the social worker spoke with Dr. Rose, a psychiatrist on staff at the hospital where mother and M. were staying. Dr. Rose opined that mother’s current mental health issues rendered her incapable of caring for M. On April 13, 2011, the Department filed a petition pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivision (b)1 on behalf of M. alleging that mother’s mental and…