Derek L. v. Superior Court CA1/1

I.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL

BACKGROUND

Livermore police arrested father and Laura R. (mother) in their home in November 2012 for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and drug charges after they were found to be under the influence of heroin and opiates while caring for K.L., who was then six months old. Real party in interest Alameda County Social Services Agency (Agency) filed a juvenile dependency petition under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivision (b)2 (failure to protect) alleging both parents admitted a history of substance abuse and had unstable housing and employment, allegations that were substantiated over the course of proceedings below. K.L. was ordered detained and was then placed with an aunt and uncle. In January 2013, the juvenile court found K.L. was a child described by section 300, subdivision (b), adjudged her a dependent child, and ordered reunification services for both parents. Father’s case plan called for him to receive individual therapy, to participate in parenting-education and substance-abuse programs, and to undergo substance-abuse testing. Because K.L. was younger than three years old at the time she was removed from parental…