In re D.S. CA5

FACTS

Initial Removal On March 9, 2020, the Kern County Department of Human Services (department) responded to investigate after 12-year-old D.S., 10-year-old S.S., and 7-year-old R.J. (collectively “the children”), were placed into protective custody by the Kern County Sheriff’s Department. The children were removed after their temporary care provider could no longer care for them. Mother was staying in the home with the children, but the care provider suspected mother began using drugs again. In addition, mother failed to follow through with voluntary family maintenance services, including drug testing and substance abuse treatment. Voluntary family maintenance services were initially agreed to by mother after the department’s January 2020 investigation determined mother was using methamphetamine. Mother had the children live with a friend while she was struggling with drug use during the six months prior to a referral investigated on January 15, 2020. There were also concerns for the children’s safety due to mother’s decision to allow contact between, Zackary J., the father of R.J., despite a restraining order and an ongoing investigation into whether Zackary sexually abused…