In re Joel A. CA2/5

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. Facts

Mother gave birth to Joel A. in May 2023 while she was incarcerated.2 At the time of birth, both mother and Joel tested

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

Joel’s father is unknown. Over the course of the proceedings, mother identified a number of different men as the alleged father of Joel, none of whom was confirmed to be the father.

2 positive for fentanyl.

II. Procedural Background

A. Petition, detention and initial placement of Joel On May 23, 2023, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) filed a petition asking the juvenile court to exert dependency jurisdiction over Joel because (1) mother has a “history of substance abuse, including methamphetamine, and is a current abuser of fentanyl,” and (2) Joel was born with “a positive toxicology screen for fentanyl.” The petition further alleged that mother’s conduct “endanger[ed] [Joel’s] physical health and safety and place[d] [Joel] at risk of serious physical harm and damage,” warranting the exercise of jurisdiction under section 300, subdivision (b).…