In re A.J. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Mayra M.-C. (“Mother”) appeals from the juvenile court’s jurisdictional order adjudging her four children dependents of the court and its dispositional order removing them from her custody. Essentially, the juvenile court concluded that Mother’s substance abuse and mental health issues created a substantial risk that her children would be harmed. We conclude that substantial evidence supports both of the trial court’s orders and therefore affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Mother has four children: A., Kevin, George and Aliyah.1 K. J. is the father of A. and Kevin and George M. is the father of the two youngest children, George and Aliyah. Mother and George M. are married. Neither father is a party to this appeal.2 The section 300 petition,3 filed by Department4 in December 2013, relied upon two separate subdivision (b) “failure to protect” allegations to assert jurisdiction.

1 The children were born: A., September 2005; Kevin, October 2007; George, July 2009; and Aliyah, November 2010. 2 K. J. did not participate in the juvenile court proceedings. The trial court found that K. J. had been given the notice required by law. In her opening brief, Mother…