In re L.A. CA3

FACTS

In February 2012, the juvenile court ordered the minor, L.A., detained, days after her birth, based on allegations that she was at risk of physical harm in the parents’ care because mother suffered from mental and emotional problems including paranoia, tangential speech, and mood shifts and father’s parole condition prohibited contact with all children, including the minor. The detention report stated that mother’s mood and conversation fluctuated wildly during the social worker’s interview with her at the hospital. Mother showed similar behavior in dealing with hospital personnel, father, and the baby. The hospital social worker said mother was staring off into space and losing her train of thought midsentence and the worker was concerned about mother’s mental health and emotional instability. The doctor at the hospital told the social worker mother had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder with depression and had refused treatment. He said mother appeared extremely manic, agitated, and anxious and showed pressured speech and tangential thought processes. The hospital chaplain also reported observing mother’s mood swings. Mother’s only plan for care of the baby was to give her…