In re S.P. CA3

BACKGROUND

A protective custody warrant for the minor was issued in November 2011, 18 days after she was born. Mother was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, tested positive for marijuana during a prenatal visit, lost her parental rights of the minor’s half sibling due to domestic violence with the half sibling’s father, and her mental health problems prevented her from caring for the minor. The Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services (department) filed a dependency petition later that month pursuant to section 300, subdivision (b) (failure to protect), and the minor was detained soon thereafter. In December 2011, the department filed an amended petition alleging mother’s mental health and substance abuse problems, as well as her child welfare history regarding the minor’s half sibling. In December 2011, mother was extradited to Las Vegas, Nevada, on an outstanding warrant for pandering. Mother previously pled guilty to felony pandering in Nevada, and had been released on her own recognizance pending sentencing.2 She was sentenced to prison for a term of 19 to 48 months in March 2012. The juvenile court sustained the amended petition and bypassed services…