Jessica S. v. Superior Court CA2/2

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. Family

Jessica S. (mother) has four children with three different men—Aubry R. (born July 2013), Sebastian A. (born April 2017), Camilla S. (born November 2018), and Axel S. (born March 2020). Guadalupe T. (father) is the biological father of the youngest two children, Camilla and Axel.

2 Mother and father have a tumultuous relationship. In March 2018 and July 2019, father engaged in domestic violence against mother. In September 2019, a criminal court issued a criminal restraining order enjoining father from contacting mother. Mother and father also have a history of substance abuse; more specifically, mother had a history of using opioids and methamphetamine.

II. Prior Dependency Case

In September 2019, the juvenile court exerted dependency jurisdiction over the three oldest children (Axel had yet to be born) on the basis of (1) mother and father’s history of domestic violence, and (2) mother’s and father’s substance abuse issues. The juvenile court ordered the Department to provide mother with reunification services, including parenting classes, individual counseling, drug testing, and domestic violence counseling for victims. Mother…