In re E.T. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

On October 15, 2015, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) filed a Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 petition1 alleging that Claudia C. (Mother) and her boyfriend Felipe A. had a history of substance abuse and were current users of marijuana and methamphetamine. The petition alleged that their drug use endangered E.T., age seven, Eli T., age five, and Cesar A., age four months. E.T. and Eli were sons of Mother and Father, while Cesar was the son of Mother and Felipe. The petition did not set forth any allegations against Father. DCFS had received a referral in September 2015 reporting that Mother and Felipe were using methamphetamine and other drugs and were unable to care for the children. According to the referral, Mother and Felipe were often “locked up in their room all drugged up.” They were also reported to be very aggressive, often arguing and fighting in the presence of the children. When interviewed, Mother admitted that she had been using methamphetamine for at least the prior six months and that she and Felipe used the drug at home while the children were there. DCFS interviewed Father on September 14, 2015. He stated that he no…