Social Services Agency v. Renee R.

*1400 Opinion

Renee R. appeals from a dispositional order that denied her reunification services because of a long history of drug abuse and resistance to prior treatment. 1 She argues that the juvenile court misread the specific requirements of the statute that authorizes the denial of services for drug-related reasons, which, properly construed, does not apply to her. Minor’s counsel supports Renee’s position. They are mistaken, and we affirm.

In November 1999, a social worker discovered that Renee had left her one-year-old son, Brian M., in the care of two men drinking beer. The social worker returned later in the day accompanied by a police officer, who arrested Renee on an outstanding drug-related warrant from Nevada County. One of the male caretakers was also arrested for the same reason—an outstanding drug warrant.

Orange County Social Services Agency (SSA) took Brian into protective custody, and filed a petition that alleged Renee failed to adequately protect the child, failed to provide him with adequate medical treatment, and was unable to care for him because of her substance abuse. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 300, subd. (b).) 2 The petition also alleged that Renee and…