In re M.C. CA2/3

BACKGROUND

The family consists of mother, a daughter (born 2006), a son (born 2007), twins (born 2014), and an infant (born 2019).

1 Allfurther statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 M.C. is the presumed father of daughter and son. G.L. is the presumed father of the twins. Infant’s father is unknown.

I. Referrals and initial investigation

The family was subject to three prior dependency cases, involving domestic violence and substance abuse. The most recent case closed in July 2020 and mother received sole custody of the children. In August 2020, DCFS received a referral that mother threatened to beat, shoot, and kill daughter. A social worker contacted daughter at her paternal grandmother’s home. Paternal grandmother said that a few weeks prior, mother hit daughter that left a scar on her neck. Daughter showed DCFS the mark on her neck that was still healing. Daughter had asked mother why she was telling extended family members that daughter was “sucking dick.” Mother got upset and attacked daughter by choking her neck and hitting her with closed fists. The other children and G.L. were present during the attack, but did not intervene immediately…