In re S. R. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

Section 300 petition and history of the children’s welfare The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) first got involved with this family on July 19, 2013, when it received notice of domestic violence. It was reported that Charles A. (father)2 assaulted mother after she had criticized him for “socking” S. twice in the chest. Mother fought back and a fight ensued in close proximity to the children. S. immediately called the police and father fled from the home. DCFS transported mother and children to a relative’s home and instructed mother to stay away from father. Despite the violence, mother did not want a restraining order. Instead she expressed a desire to remain with father and raise her family. A few days later mother told a social worker that father assaulted her two weeks earlier and again while she was pregnant with Charles in June of 2013. The social worker was concerned that mother did not seem to fully understand the effect domestic violence had on her children. Counseling, therapy, and a parenting course was recommended for mother. On August 6, 2013, mother said that the July 2013 incident of violence was an isolated occurrence and that she…