In re J.R. CA4/2
Opinion
Opinion
BACKGROUND
On December 19, 2013, San Bernardino County Children and Family Services
(CFS) filed a Welfare and Institutions Code section 3002 petition on behalf of J.R, then
21 months of age, based on parental neglect and failure to supervise resulting in the
accidental drowning of J.R.’s 10-month-old sibling, L.R., in a bathtub. J.R.’s father had a
1 As to father, an additional ground for denial of services was alleged, but insofar as he is not a party to this appeal, we do not need to address it.
2 All statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise specified.
2 history of child abuse and causing the death of a half-sibling and both parents were
alleged to have a substance abuse problem. At the time of the intervention by CFS3 the
family home was found to be filthy and unkempt; additionally, there was drug
paraphernalia found in the bathroom where the two children were being given a bath at
the time of the drowning. There were also concerns about mother’s mental health due to
a prior involuntary 72-hour detention following an argument between the parents in
which mother attempted to stab the father with a knife.