In re T.P. CA4/1

BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background Mother and Father lived in Texas when Child was young. Father was not a custodial parent but had regular contact with Child. When Child was approximately five years old, Mother moved out of Texas with Child and his older sibling (apparently also a biological child of Mother and Father’s). Father did not know how to find Child and did not have contact with him for approximately nine years. In 2023, when Child was 14, he was removed from Mother’s custody after Mother choked him while having a mental health episode. Mother had reportedly assaulted Child on previous occasions, including by headbutting him, resulting in bruising on his cheeks and forehead; slapping him in the face hard enough to leave a mark; and striking him with a butter knife, resulting in scarring. Friends and family members were aware of the abuse. Mother was not otherwise meeting Child’s needs. Child reported Mother drank excessively and that he did not feel safe in her care. Child had been diagnosed with and medicated for ADHD, anxiety, and depression. According to Child’s older sibling, Mother took Child’s medication, over- medicated him, and gave him unprescribed…