In re P.L. CA4/2

BACKGROUND

P.L., then age 4, E.L. then age 10 months, and G.A., age 2, came to the attention

of the Department on October 16, 2020, when the maternal grandmother, with whom

G.A. had been living, asked mother to pick up the child. Mother declined because she

was then living out of state in a toxic relationship and had outstanding warrants. Mother

and maternal grandmother had a mutual agreement because G.A. was the product of a

rape of mother by a man unknown to mother except by his first name, so G.A. had lived

with the maternal grandmother. A few days later after the first call, maternal

grandmother made a second request for mother to pick up G.A., and this time, mother

picked him up. During the time maternal grandmother had care of G.A., she had

neglected his medical and dental needs, and had thrown a phone at him hitting him in the

mouth, hurting his lip, broken some of his teeth, and bent his finger before requesting that

mother take him.

After receiving the referral, a social worker made an unannounced visit. Mother

was uncooperative insisting her children were fine, but the circumstances apparent to the

social worker were concerning: G.A. had rotten teeth, was…