In re A.M. CA4/2

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On September 25, 2013, the San Bernardino Children and Family Services (CFS)

received an immediate response referral when parents’ six-week-old child, H.M. (born

August 2013), stopped breathing. Father called the paramedics. Medical personnel were

unable to revive her. H.M. had no signs of outward trauma, but X-rays revealed the

infant had a broken arm and several fractures at various stages of healing which doctors

believed were the result of squeezing. The coroner discovered seven healing rib fractures

which he opined occurred between seven and 21 days prior to her death.

1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 The social worker made a safety plan with mother who was at work at the time of

H.M.’s death. The plan allowed C.E. (born April 2004), the children’s sibling,2 and A.M.

to stay with their maternal grandmother (MGM) pending further investigation. On

October 2, 2013, C.E. and A.M. were brought to the Children’s Assessment Center

(CAC). Mother brought previous X-rays of A.M.’s leg taken in July 2012. Mother said

she was initially informed A.M. had a fracture, but…