In re Josiah B. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

The family The family consists of mother, Josiah (21 months old at the time the petition was filed) and Joriah (10 months old at the time the petition was filed). The children’s father is T.B. (father). Mother had a boyfriend during the proceedings, Richard S. (boyfriend).

Neither father nor boyfriend is a party to this appeal.

2 Referral and initial investigation The family came to the attention of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) on December 8, 2019, when law enforcement responded to a call from the Torrance Fire Department after it was reported that father had a seizure in a vehicle. The family had been living in the car for two weeks. The car was dirty and smelled of marijuana and cigarette smoke. There was a warrant for father’s arrest and mother had a criminal protective order against father due to abuse.2 The children were reported to be healthy with no signs of abuse. Mother had $1,000 in CalFresh benefits and was able to provide food for the children. Father was taken to the Men’s Central Jail, medical unit. Law enforcement requested an immediate response to ensure that the children were safe to go with mother. When…