In re A.F. CA1/4

BACKGROUND

Father and S.L. (mother) have been in a relationship for over 20 years. They have two children together, A.F. I (born April 2016) and A.F. II (born May 2020). Father’s criminal history includes three convictions for driving under the influence and multiple felony charges arising from a domestic abuse incident with mother in February 2020 (February incident).

I. February Incident Leading to Father’s Arrest

When mother came home from work on February 21, 2020, father confronted her about socializing with another man at work. Mother was six months pregnant with A.F. II at the time. Father then began to berate mother and punch her in the face while she was sitting on the toilet. After mother fell to the floor, father then grabbed mother’s hair and kneed her in the face numerous times. Father did not allow mother to leave the bathroom until the police intervened. Officers noticed a puddle of blood near the toilet, which was completely uprooted from the floor. Mother displayed visible bruising and dried blood on her arms and face. Father’s blows had pushed mother’s false teeth back toward her throat, causing them to come loose from her gums. Father was clearly…