In re J.F. CA6

Background V.G. 3 and J.F., then aged five years and nearly nine months respectively, were taken into protective custody by the deputy sheriffs for Santa Clara County. Mother was arrested for child endangerment because she had exposed the children to secondhand marijuana smoke and numerous safety hazards, and the children had access to marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, rat feces, an open well in the backyard, and excessive trash and clutter throughout the home. The Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) filed a petition for each child, describing the circumstances of the children’s removal by the sheriffs and further alleging that mother continued to abuse methamphetamine and marijuana despite having completed an outpatient drug program. DFCS further alleged that the children were repeatedly being exposed to domestic violence perpetrated by father. The petition and subsequently amended petition cited section 300, subdivisions (b) and (c). In the social worker’s jurisdiction/disposition report prepared for a February 23, 2015 hearing, she noted that “[d]ue to personal beliefs,” mother and father. “do not believe in having the children vaccinated.” After the hearing…