In re D.D. CA3

FACTS

The Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services (Department) filed a petition in January 2014 alleging D.D., age 5, was at risk of physical harm due to mother’s substance abuse, domestic violence, and the death of an infant sibling while in mother’s care. D.D. was detained and placed with relatives. The juvenile court sustained the petition and mother was offered reunification services. Mother participated in services, made progress, and D.D. was returned to her care under a family maintenance program in August 2014. Mother initially did well in family maintenance, caring for D.D. and her new baby and remaining clean and sober. By March 2015 the Department suspected mother had relapsed into drug use. Mother was having difficulty completing her programs and caring for the minors. By May 2015 the Department was concerned about the minors’ safety while in mother’s care and custody because her housing was unstable, she was leaving the minors in the care of others, she was not drug testing as required, and she was not cooperating with the family maintenance program. D.D. was beginning counseling and appeared somewhat guarded. D.D. also was guarded with the social…