In re Esteban N. CA4/1

BACKGROUND

Erica has a longstanding history of mental illness, including a suicide attempt at

age 10 and a suicide attempt as an adult. Erica also has a history of violence toward

others. When Erica was nearly eight years old, she tried to kill her grandmother by

putting rat poison in her grandmother's food. As a child, Erica attempted to throw a girl

off a balcony. Erica has been hospitalized twice for psychiatric issues but has not

received adequate mental health treatment. On at least one occasion, she refused

treatment. Erica also has a history of untreated substance abuse.

In June 2002, when Erica was 17 years old, she gave birth to Isiah W. When Erica

was approximately 18 years old, she began using methamphetamine. Erica reported that

in 2006, Isiah's father killed him by drowning him in a bathtub.

In December 2007, Erica gave birth to S.G., who tested presumptively positive for

methamphetamine at birth. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency

(the Agency) filed a dependency petition for S.G. The petition alleged Erica had used

methamphetamine and Vicodin since 2004, admitted using methamphetamine during the

pregnancy and had no…