In re Adrian A. CA4/1

I.

BACKGROUND

Upon petition of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (the

Agency) filed on July 7, 2011, the juvenile court removed 10-month-old Adrian from

Candice's custody based on evidence Adrian had a swollen and discolored penis and

bruises on his forehead, jaw, arm, chest, abdomen, and buttocks, which medical

professionals considered suspicious for nonaccidental trauma. Candice, who was living

with her father, his live-in girlfriend, and other family members at the time and had been

Adrian's only caregiver for the past two weeks, had no satisfactory explanation for his

injuries. The court ordered Adrian's detention and set the matter for a combined

jurisdictional and dispositional hearing.

At the jurisdictional/dispositional hearing a month later, the juvenile court

declared Adrian a dependent of the court and placed him in foster care. The court

2 ordered Candice be provided reunification services and visitation with Adrian, and

scheduled six- and 12-month review hearings.

By the time of the six-month review hearing (Feb. 9, 2012), Candice's boyfriend

had moved in with her and her family, and she was pregnant with his…