In re M.P. CA4/3

FACTS

1. Detention and Jurisdiction (Aug. 2018-Sept. 2018) Minors M.P. (age 6) and D.P. (age 1) came to the attention of SSA in August of 2018 when officers from the Garden Grove Police Department found them alone in their mother’s house. D.P. was found with an open, partially filled can of beer in her hands. There were knives and cleaning chemicals on the kitchen counter, easily accessible to the children. M.P. reported that mother often left them home alone, sometimes overnight. M.P. reported that she took care of D.P. during those times, including changing her diapers. M.P. further reported that she saw incidents of domestic violence between mother and father, including hitting and biting. M.P. pointed out where father kept his beer and reported that the open beer can belonged to father. The children were detained, and the court exercised jurisdiction under section 300, subdivision (b)(1) (failure to supervise due to substance abuse). According to the sustained petition, mother had an unresolved substance abuse problem involving methamphetamine. Father had an unresolved substance abuse problem involving alcohol. Father had previously been convicted of driving under the…