GLORIA M. v. Superior Court

In this case a referee conducted a hearing on a petition filed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (the Department) under Welfare and Institutions Code section 600, subdivision (a), to adjudge the children of Gloria and Jaime M. dependent children of the court, as did a referee in Lois R. v. Superior Court (1971) 19 Cal.App.3d 895 [ 97 Cal.Rptr. 158 ], with respect to a child of Lois R. Essentially the basis of the petition herein was that the parents of the children were not exercising proper care for them in that the home had certain unsafe conditions and was untidy and infested with vermin and the children were suffering from certain ailments associated with uncleanliness. As to some of the alleged unsatisfactory conditions there was conflicting evidence, as to others, none; but as to the cause of all of the conditions there were counterveiling contentions and proof or attempted proof.

As in Lois R., supra, the mother was in court with counsel, but no member of the Department or attorney representing it was present, although! a deputy probation officer (a Mrs. Thomas) was. As distinguished from Lois R., in the instant matter we have a full…