Billy K. v. Superior Court CA5

STATEMENT OF THE CASE AND FACTS

In December 2013, the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency (agency) took then 19-month-old Blake and his twin half brothers into protective custody after their mother Natasha was arrested for being under the influence of methamphetamine and child endangerment. At the time, father was incarcerated in a county facility. The juvenile court exercised its dependency jurisdiction over Blake and his brothers, ordered father and Natasha to participate in reunification services, and set the six-month review hearing for June 2014. The agency placed the children with their maternal great-aunt. In its report for the six-month review hearing, the agency recommended the juvenile court continue reunification services for Natasha. The agency also recommended the court terminate reunification services for father because he was awaiting a jury trial and was facing a long prison sentence if convicted. In June 2014, the juvenile court convened the six-month review hearing. Father’s attorney informed the court that father was sentenced to 20 years in prison and waived reunification services and all future dependency court appearances. The court terminated…