In re Mackenzie D. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

Detention and section 300 petition On April 15, 2014, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) received a referral alleging emotional abuse by father. The reporting party stated that father admitted using methamphetamine. When the Department’s social worker responded to the home, both parents denied any recent drug use, but both admitted to a substance abuse history. Mackenzie’s mother Jennifer B. (mother)2 claimed she had been sober for several years, and father stated he had been sober for a year and a half. Neither parent appeared to be under the influence at the time of the social worker’s visit, Mackenzie showed no signs of abuse or neglect, and the family home appeared appropriate. In a follow up interview a month later, mother reiterated that she had been sober for five to six years. She admitted to past methamphetamine use but said she had been sober since completing an inpatient treatment program. Father said he had been sober for two years, that cocaine had been his drug of choice, and that he had also achieved sobriety through an inpatient treatment program. Neither parent appeared to be under the influence, and the…