In re A.E. CA4/3

FACTS

Mother and D.E. (Father) have two children together: Minor and an older child (Sibling). In 2020, Minor, shortly after being born, was taken into protective custody, detained by the juvenile court, and placed temporarily with SSA. The removal was prompted by SSA’s concerns for Minor’s welfare based on allegations in an open dependency case concerning Sibling. In 2019, when Sibling was three months old, she suffered “a brain bleed” and several “bone fractures in her ribs and in her lower and upper extremities,” in different stages of healing. Emergency surgery was

1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 required to drain blood from her brain. SSA secured a hospital hold for Sibling, placed her in foster care, and initiated dependency proceedings. Father was later arrested for felony child abuse and placed into custody awaiting trial. Mother moved back in with the maternal grandmother. The juvenile court sustained a section 300 petition on behalf of Sibling, finding Father intentionally abused her, Mother failed to protect her, and both parents failed to ensure timely medical care. The court further found the…