In re N.V. CA1/5

BACKGROUND

A.

The Contra Costa Children and Family Services Bureau initiated the dependency petition after mother was arrested in July 2024 in connection with an altercation she had with her ex- boyfriend, David, on July 10, 2024. The couple had recently decided to end their relationship due to David’s infidelity, and he had agreed to stay at his parent’s house while mother moved her things out of their shared home. Mother had had a glass of wine with her dinner that night. The altercation occurred when David unexpectedly returned to the residence. Mother, upset that he had come back to the house, asked him to leave, and they began yelling at one another. According to mother, when she tried to push him out the front door, David grabbed her arms to restrain her, leaving bruises on her arms. The police (who had apparently been called by a neighbor) arrived as the two walked outside and continued to argue.

The child, who was five years old at the time, was in the living room with David and mother during the argument. Mother later testified that when David restrained her arms, he did it “basically in front of” the child.

The police arrested mother. When asked by the social worker…