In re Annie B. CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

Christopher B., the presumed father of 11-month-old Annie B., appeals from the juvenile court’s jurisdictional findings and disposition order declaring his daughter, who was born with a positive toxicology screen for methadone and suffered methadone withdrawal symptoms, a dependent of the court pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, subdivision (b),1 and placing the child with him under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (Department), with family maintenance services, on condition he reside with Annie’s paternal grandmother. At the time of Annie’s birth, Christopher and Annie’s mother, Julie B., were lawfully using methadone under a doctor’s supervision to treat their Vicodin addiction. Christopher contends neither current use of legally prescribed methadone nor his and Julie’s history of substance abuse constituted sufficient evidence to justify the juvenile court’s exercise of jurisdiction over Annie. He also contends, even if jurisdiction was proper based on Julie’s use of methadone during her pregnancy and her past abuse of opiates and methamphetamine, the juvenile court abused its discretion in…