In re J.C. CA3

BACKGROUND

In March 2011, one-month-old J.C., 15-month-old D.C., and their half sister, 13- year-old S.S., were placed in protective custody by the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) following mother’s arrest for domestic violence against the minors’ father. DHHS filed a dependency petition alleging the domestic violence incident, father’s history of substance abuse, and S.S. was previously declared a dependent child based on mother’s domestic violence with father. The juvenile court detained the minors in April 2011. The May 2011 jurisdiction/disposition report related the parents’ history of domestic violence in front of the children. The incident leading to the petition involved mother scratching, tackling, punching, and wrestling with father. Father used alcohol and marijuana to the point of intoxication every night, and was a registered drug offender. Mother denied fighting with father, saying, “ ‘I don’t beat men up.’ ” S.S. was diagnosed with mental retardation. She told a social worker mother was clever, knowing that since S.S. is dark skinned, she can strangle her without leaving bruising or marks. S.S. was afraid of mother and believed she…