In re Tara R. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

On September 3, 2013, the Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) filed a petition pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivisions (a) and (b),1 to bring 15-year-old Tara within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, and Tara was detained the same day. The petition alleged in counts a-1 and b-1 that father had physically abused Tara by choking her with a purse strap; that such physical abuse was excessive and caused Tara unreasonable pain and suffering; that Tara was afraid of father because of the abuse and did not wish to reside with him; and that the abuse endangered Tara’s physical health and safety and placed her at risk of physical harm. Count b-2, later stricken by the court, alleged medical neglect by father. Count b-3 as later amended by the court to delete mention of father, alleged that Tara’s mother C.R. (mother) was unable to provide appropriate parental care and supervision of Tara due to the child’s mental and emotional problems; that Tara did not wish to reside with mother; and that mother’s inability to provide appropriate parental care and supervision endangered Tara’s physical health and placed her at risk of…