In re A.V.

BACKGROUND

A. Family History

Mother has several children, including N.V., J.V., and A.V. The whereabouts of A.V.’s father, H.B. (father), are unknown. The family has a long history with Child Protective Services (CPS). As of April 2020, the family had been referred to CPS over 30 times. During previous contacts, the family was offered various mental health and safety net services, including WRAP services. A.V. has severe mental health issues, which cause her to be aggressive to mother and her siblings. She often reports being hit or abused by mother. Subsequent investigations, however, have shown that A.V. is actually the aggressor who physically assaults mother. On March 6, 2020,2 respondent San Joaquin County Human Services Agency (Agency) investigated a referral from a reporting party that assessed A.V. at St. Joseph’s hospital. During the assessment, A.V. claimed her mother hit her with a spatula all over her body, spanked her, threw toys at her, and had previously hit her with a hanger. No marks or bruises were visible on A.V.’s body. It was also reported that A.V. had extreme violent behavior, had been diagnosed with adjusting disorder, and had been physically…