C.T.

FACTS AND PROCEDURE

Removal and Detention—July 2010

The child was initially removed from mother’s care in July 2010 because mother

was not complying with the child’s medical treatment plan. The child was born with a

gastrointestinal defect that required surgery to cut out a portion of the small bowel, in

addition to other surgeries. The resulting “short bowel syndrome” means the child has

less bowel area available to absorb nutrients and must be fed by “total parenteral

nutrition” (TPN). TPN is administered through a central line catheter in the chest. This

requires close monitoring to avoid infections and to make sure the child is getting enough

nutrients and not losing weight. The child spent most of her first year of life at Loma

Linda University Medical Center and was released on March 2, 2010.

Between Los Angeles County and Riverside County, child protective services

received referrals regarding the child in March 2010 and April 2010, twice in May 2010,

and again in July 2010 alleging general neglect. The following problems were reported:

First, mother participated in only three days of a five-day bedside training to enable her to

carry out the child’s feeding…