In re A.U. CA3

I. BACKGROUND

The five minors, A. (two months old), M. (two years old), Ed. (five years old), N. (seven years old), and El. (eight years old) (the minors), came to the attention of the Sacramento County Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services (Department) after it received a referral that mother L.U. (mother) appeared to have untreated mental health and substance abuse issues and was observed yelling at the minors who were “crying all the time” in front of the home. It was further reported that, despite an active restraining order against him (filed by mother in February 2024), father and his girlfriend showed up at mother’s residence. On September 18, 2024, law enforcement was called to the home after father and his girlfriend showed up at mother’s home and began yelling at mother and the girlfriend threatened to assault mother. According to a second referral, on September 26, 2024, father reportedly forced his way into mother’s residence, punched mother in the face and head, and grabbed minor El.’s leg before she was able to kick him and get away. Minor N. reportedly grabbed a knife in an attempt to protect mother from father. On September 27, 2024, the social worker…