In re N.H. CA2/5

I. BACKGROUND

In late December 2020, the Department received a referral alleging N.H. had been sexually abused by Father. N.H. disclosed Father sexually abused her from the time she was nine years old until she was twelve. The following month, the Department filed a six-count dependency petition alleging N.H., Nathan, and Nash were dependent children. Counts a-1, b-2, and j-2 alleged Father physically abused N.H. by striking her with a belt. Counts b-1, d- 1, and j-1 alleged Father sexually abused N.H. All six counts alleged Mother failed to protect the children by allowing Father to live in the home and have unlimited access to N.H. All six

1 These were the children’s ages at the time dependency proceedings commenced. 2 Nathan and N.H.’s father was another man.

2 counts also alleged the abuse of N.H. placed Nathan and Nash at risk of serious harm. At an adjudication and disposition hearing, the juvenile court sustained the Department’s petition in part. The court sustained the allegations that Father sexually abused N.H. (counts b-1, d-1, and j-1).3 The court also sustained the allegation in count j-2 that Father physically abused N.H. and that abuse placed all three children…