In re Denise C. CA2/2
Opinion
Opinion
BACKGROUND
Initial detention and section 300 petition The family came to the attention of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) in November 2010 when mother and newborn Nelson both tested positive for methamphetamine. Mother admitted using methamphetamine in the past but denied doing so immediately before Nelson’s birth. On December 3, 2010, the Department filed a section 300 petition alleging that mother’s substance abuse placed Denise, N., and Nelson at risk. At the December 3, 2010 detention hearing, the juvenile court found father to be the children’s presumed father and ordered the children detained from both parents. In a January 2011 interview with a dependency investigator, five-year-old Denise said that mother and father used drugs and alcohol together. She reported that mother and father hit her and N. with a belt and that the parents argued and hit each other as well. Both parents denied hitting Denise or any of the other children. They admitted arguing but denied doing so in the children’s presence. They denied having any physical altercations.
Father is not a party to this appeal.