In re K.S. CA1/1

I. BACKGROUND

K., then three years old, was the subject of a dependency petition under Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 300, subdivisions (b) and (g), filed November 5, 2014.

1 All statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code. The petition alleged Father had been arrested recently on drug-related charges and, prior to his arrest, had placed K. in danger while the two were homeless. In addition, it was alleged Father had not made provision for K.’s care while he was incarcerated and Mother was unable to take custody because she was living in Oregon. K. was detained and placed in foster care. The Agency’s detention report stated that Father was terminated from his employment and evicted from his apartment about four months before the detention. He moved to a homeless encampment with K., where Father was assaulted in what was apparently a drug-related dispute. K. witnessed the assault and was disturbed by it. Thereafter, Father signed a “Safety Plan” with the Agency, and the Agency arranged for the two to live at a motel. Throughout this period, Father was reputed to be a drug dealer, and he was said to leave K. unattended or with strangers. Father was also…