C.D.

FACTS

On June 3, 2024, the Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services (CWS) filed a juvenile dependency petition. CWS alleged Mother was “unstable,” outside her house “rocking her son.” She was “rambling, incoherent and unable to communicate.” She was yelling “everyone needs to die.” The child was removed from the home and Mother was placed on a mental health hold because “she was unable to care for herself and her child.” Mother tested positive for methamphetamine. CWS noted that Mother had a prior dependency case involving this child. In 2018, the child was removed from the home because of Mother’s “ongoing substance use of methamphetamines.” The child was eventually returned to Mother and the dependency case was dismissed in 2021. At the June 4, 2024, detention hearing, the juvenile court found there was a “substantial danger” to the child if he is not removed from the parents’ home, and it ordered the child “detained.” On September 11, 2024, the juvenile court held a contested jurisdiction/disposition hearing. Mother testified that she planned to move to “Transition House.” She was tested for drugs twice a week and had not tested positive. The court found it had

1All…