In re E.F. CA4/3

FACTS

Detention In February 2020, Minor (age nine) and her half siblings, Em.M. and E.M. (ages five and three), were taken into protective custody. According to the Orange County Social Services Agency’s (SSA) detention report, a police officer found Mother and the children in a parking lot with Mother under the influence of methamphetamine. The children appeared to be dirty and in a general state of neglect. Mother had been homeless for approximately one year. Minor’s father was deceased while the half siblings’ father had moved out of state. The detention report noted Mother had a history of substance abuse, which included two prior arrests for possession of an unlawful substance. She previously also attempted suicide, and the maternal grandmother stated Mother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder but refused to take medication. The maternal grandmother further stated she could not handle Mother staying with her “because of the mess . . . she makes” and her “yelling and cursing at the children.” With respect to Minor, the report noted she was

1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code. 2 relegated to caring for her half siblings, did not have…