R.M.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Dependency Petition On June 25, 2015, when Ashley was four years old, the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency (Agency) filed a dependency petition on behalf of Ashley and her three half siblings,3 pursuant to section 300, subdivisions (b) and (g). The petition alleged that the children were at substantial risk of harm due to Mother’s chronic substance abuse and her inability to protect them from gang violence. With respect to Ashley, it was further alleged Father failed to protect her from Mother’s conduct and, in failing to do so, “placed his child at serious risk of harm.” In an attempt to avoid conflict with Mother, Father had not seen Ashley since she was one year old, despite having been informed of Mother’s neglect. Detention Report and Hearing The detention report indicated that, in June 2015, an unrelated 11-year-old had been fatally shot at the home where Mother lived with her children. Although Mother

is returned to the home of the parent or guardian. [¶] (B) For a child who, on the date of initial removal from the physical custody of his or her parent or guardian, was under three years of age, court-ordered…