In re C.P. CA5

FACTS

Initial Removal Colton, at 16 years of age, was located by law enforcement after he ran away from home. Colton told law enforcement that his adoptive brother, Tyler P., inflicted injuries on him at the direction of mother. Colton had a bruise on his left elbow, a large cut on his right side, a cut from the back to the front of his rib area, and a burn mark on his left arm. A social worker from the Merced County Human Services Agency (agency), Martha E., responded to complete a joint investigation with law enforcement. The evidence obtained from the investigation was set forth in the agency’s detention report. Colton made several allegations of mistreatment by mother, and he insisted that he would continue to run away if returned to mother’s home. Colton stated mother made him rewrite letters several times, and he was not allowed to eat until he wrote the letters to mother’s satisfaction. Mother also reportedly withheld acne medication after the medication bleached a washcloth. Colton’s acne was causing scarring to his face, and he was embarrassed by his severe acne. Mother teased him about his ongoing acne problems, and the agency noted mother withheld appropriate medical…