In re E.F. CA3

BACKGROUND

On April 7, 2011, the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (the Agency) filed section 300 petitions on behalf of minors E. (born August 2002), S. (born June 2005), M. (born April 2007), and F. (born June 2009). As amended, the petitions alleged the parents were neglecting the minors and unable to manage them because of mother’s mental health issues and the failure of F.’s father to protect them.2 There had been 27 child welfare referrals for the family, spanning nearly two decades, for general neglect, substantial risk, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.3 The family had one prior voluntary case in which they had received services but were still unable to functionally parent the minors. The juvenile court took jurisdiction over the minors, declared them dependent children of the court, ordered the minors removed from the parents’ physical custody, and ordered reunification services. All four children were placed together in a single foster home. During the reunification period, visitation with mother was chaotic. Visits occurred two times per week. Mother became frustrated and was unable to demonstrate basic parenting skills. The minors also demonstrated…