In Ne.L. CA6

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2

The juvenile court ordered Mother’s three children, Ne.L. (born 2009), No.L. (born 2010), and Na.L. (born 2015), detained and placed with maternal grandmother after Ne.L. was found with bruising to her eyes and a hematoma on her head. Respondent Santa Cruz County Human Services Department (the Department) had received referrals about the impact of Mother’s mental health on the children. Mother also had a history of methamphetamine use. At the jurisdiction and disposition hearing, the juvenile court ordered family reunification services for Mother. The court also ordered Mother to participate in the Department’s case plan, which included a psychological evaluation, a substance use disorder assessment, counseling, and random drug testing. In appeal number H052009, Mother appealed the jurisdictional and disposition orders regarding Na.L., which we affirmed. Mother completed the psychological evaluation and was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Her responses in the evaluation demonstrated characteristics such as grandiosity, defensiveness, and difficulty with emotional regulation but also showed that she was able to think about complex…