R.M.
Riverside County Department of Public Social Services v. R.M.
Opinion
lead Opinion
Richli, J.
N.M. (Minor) appeals from an order of the juvenile court continuing reunification services to his parents (collectively Parents). We conclude the order, which effectively extended services beyond the statutory 18-month maximum, was not supported by the evidence, and we reverse.
I
Factual and Procedural Background
A. Original Dependency Petition—January 2001
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) filed a dependency petition pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 1 in January 2001, when Minor was 18 months old. The petition alleged both parents abused controlled substances. A search of Parents’ residence had revealed crack cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia. Both parents admitted using cocaine the day of the search, and both were arrested.
The court ordered Minor detained and granted visitation to Parents. It also ordered DPSS to provide reunification services. Minor was placed with his grandparents.
B. Jurisdictional Hearing: Custody to Mother, Reunification Services to Father—January 2001
At the jurisdictional hearing on January 30, 2001, the court found dependency jurisdiction over Minor and placed him with J.M. (Mother)…