In re K.T. CA4/2

BACKGROUND

I. Detention

CFS received a referral in June 2023 alleging that Vivian W. (Mother) tested

positive for marijuana at K.T.’s birth. (Mother is not a party to this appeal.) K.T. also

tested positive for marijuana. Mother reportedly had a history of using amphetamine,

cocaine, and ecstasy. She told the social worker that she used marijuana during her

pregnancy but denied using any other drugs. Mother had a dependency history with two

other children; the court terminated her parental rights to those children in 2020 and

2022.

Father said that he occasionally used marijuana. The referral also alleged that

Father was exhibiting “aggressive behavior” and that the parents may be involved in

domestic violence. The parents were arguing loudly, and Father had been escorted out of

the hospital and was barred from reentering. Father acknowledged that he had a domestic

violence incident with a former partner but denied any domestic violence with Mother.

2 CFS filed a petition under section 300, subdivisions (b)(1) and (j), alleging that

(1) Mother and Father had substance abuse problems that impaired their ability to provide

adequate care for K.T., (2) Father knew…