In re I.T. CA2/1

BACKGROUND

I.T. was born in May 2005. Father is I.T.’s presumed father. Mother and father divorced in 2014. 1 In April 2018, at the time the dependency proceedings

commenced, I.T. lived with mother, and father lived in Florida. Mother reported that father moved to Florida after she obtained a restraining order. In April 2018, father reported that he had no information concerning I.T.’s wellbeing. As later sustained following mother’s and father’s no contest pleas, the petition alleged mother has mental and emotional problems rendering her incapable of providing I.T. with regular care and supervision. Twice mother was hospitalized and mother failed to participate in psychiatric services or take prescribed medication. Father knew of mother’s mental and emotional problems and was unable to protect I.T. After the juvenile court sustained jurisdiction, the court ordered conjoint counseling with father when I.T.’s therapist deemed it appropriate and permitted father monitored visits twice a month. The court also ordered father participate in a program with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and parenting classes. In May 2018, father attempted to enroll in a program, but it…