In re S.L. CA3

BACKGROUND

A. Current Petition The day after S.L. was born, a social worker from the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services -- Children’s Services Division (Riverside County)

1 met with mother in the hospital. Mother was a resident of Yuba County, but she was serving two years at the Chino Institution for Women in Corona, California. Mother admitted to the social worker that she had a criminal history as well as a history of substance abuse but would not answer questions about her sobriety. Mother also identified S.L.’s father, who was recently sentenced to prison. The social worker spoke with mother’s nurse, who reported that mother delivered S.L. by cesarean section at 39 weeks. Mother had a history of methamphetamine use but tested clean in the hospital. She was taking only acetaminophen after the surgery. Mother gave the social worker paperwork showing that she received prenatal care in prison. With approximately seven months remaining on her sentence, mother filled out a form to release S.L. either to “the maternal step-aunt” L.H. or “the maternal great aunt” C.G., both of whom live in Yuba County. The social worker spoke with L.H. and C.G. L.H. had known…