David H. v. Superior Court CA1/4

I. BACKGROUND

The three minors who are the subject of these proceedings came to the attention of the Contra Costa County Children and Family Services Bureau (Bureau) on December 12, 2012, after the police discovered that all of the utilities at their home had been turned off for several months. At that time, Erica, D., and Shannon were living at the residence with Eileen W., David H. and their older brother Eric.2 According to Erica (then 15 years old), the family had been taking water illegally from the city for a long period of time, but they were finally caught and the water was shut off permanently. In addition, they had been taking electricity illegally by “hijacking” it from various neighbors. Erica reported that the family’s gas was also illegally connected. Since the water had been shut off, the family had been draining water from a neighbor’s pool and boiling it for drinking and bathing. Eric (then 17 years old) and Erica would frequently stay with friends so that they could shower. Reportedly, the family owed approximately $4000 to PG&E. However, they were living on only $700 per month in cash aid and food stamps, as both parents were unemployed. According to their…