In re Jessie B. CA5

FACTS

Jessie was born in October 2013. On November 12, 2013, the Kern County Department of Human Services (the “Department”) received a referral from Los Angeles County alleging K.B. neglected Jessie. The referral indicated K.B.’s home had been very dirty and smelled of animal feces and urine. It also stated that K.B. had “anxiety disorder” and depression. The referral indicated that it was “suspected that K.B.’s [sic] Father Terry [B.] may have fathered [Jessie]….” On December 18, 2013, social worker Stacy Fox (“Fox”) spoke with K.B.’s mental health worker, Jeanette Shaw. Shaw said she had been to K.B.’s home the day before and saw that it was dirty, though Jessie herself was clean. K.B.’s father, Terry, told Shaw that he “has to make all of the decisions for [K.B.].” On December 20, 2013, Fox went to K.B.’s home to investigate the allegations. Fox observed that the home had a strong odor and was filthy. Jessie was wearing only a diaper, which was full of urine. Two small, dirty dogs had “access to” Jessie. When Fox went upstairs, she observed “approximately twenty piles of dog feces on the upstairs carpet.” The feces was in the bedroom where Jessie’s crib and cradle were…