In re J.S. CA2/5

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Mother and Michael S. (father) are the parents of J.S., born in October, 2009. Mother and Michael H. are the parents of Leslie (13), Michael (11), James (9), and Sean (7). On April 15, 2010, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) filed a petition pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (a), (b), (g), and (j) regarding the minors. On May 17, 2010, Michael H. pled no contest to a count alleging his children were at risk as a result of his inability to provide them with the necessities of life. On August 11, 2010, mother and father pled no contest to an amended petition alleging: father inappropriately physically disciplined J.S.’s siblings; mother and father engaged in physical altercations in the children’s presence; mother did not protect the children from father; father abused alcohol in the children’s home; and the parents’ conduct put J.S. and her siblings at risk of harm. The juvenile court sustained the amended petition, declared the children dependents of the court, removed them from their parents’ custody, and ordered them suitably placed. All five children were placed with Michael H.’s mother,

1 All further statutory…