In re F. T. CA1/4

I. BACKGROUND2

Prior to the juvenile court intervention that formed the basis for these proceedings, F.’s family—including step-sister Serena (born February 1996) and siblings James (born January 2000), Billy (born March 2001), and C.T. (born March 2002)—had been the subject of 50 prior child welfare referrals in both San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, dating back to 2002. The vast majority of the referrals with respect to mother and father involved allegations of neglect, including: an unsanitary and hazardous home; the children being dirty and smelling bad; mother appearing depressed and overwhelmed; and father having difficulty with anger management and domestic violence. In fact, during this extended time frame, the family was almost always involved in a child welfare intervention of some kind. Specifically, from November 2002 through March 2004—after voluntary services were unsuccessful—James, Billy, and C.T. were the subjects of juvenile dependency proceedings in San Francisco County under a plan of family maintenance. Thereafter, additional dependency petitions were filed in San Mateo County in February 2005, and James, Billy, and C.T. were again declared juvenile court…