In re Samuel C. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

Detention The Department of Children and Family Services (Department) received a referral regarding newborn Samuel in March 2013. The reporting party expressed concern for Samuel’s safety because mother was not compliant with her case plan in another dependency case involving older half-siblings I. and A. On April 3, 2013, the Department asked mother and Samuel’s father, Samuel C. (father),2 to submit to an on-demand drug test. Mother tested negative for drugs and alcohol but father tested positive for cocaine. On April 24, 2013, the Department learned that mother had been arrested on April 16, 2013, for theft and second degree commercial burglary while Samuel was with her. After her arrest, mother telephoned father, who arrived at the scene and took custody of Samuel. Mother was subsequently incarcerated. On April 25, 2013, mother and father consented to the Department’s detention of Samuel. Mother had a prior criminal history that included a July 2000 conviction for theft, a May 2002 conviction for carjacking, January and April 2007 convictions for driving under the influence, a September 2009 conviction for disorderly conduct, a November 2012 conviction for petty…