In re L.T. CA2/1

BACKGROUND

In one week in August 2010, the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS or the department) received three child abuse referrals regarding five- year-old L.T. and her sister, two-year-old A.T. The first referral alleged father physically abused their mother, Abby T. (mother) in front of the children, and when L.T. attempted to intervene, pushed her down, injuring her. An investigation revealed father had a criminal history and alcohol abuse problems, frequently engaged in physical violence with mother, and was under a two-year restraining order enjoining him from living in the home where mother and the girls lived with the paternal grandfather. When contacted by a DCFS social worker, mother engaged in a profanity-laden tirade but eventually agreed to enroll in domestic violence counseling and not to allow father back into the home. A second referral that same day alleged mother used methamphetamines and physically abused the girls. When DCFS investigated, mother launched into another screaming, profanity-laden tirade and refused to undergo drug testing. A third referral four days later alleged mother neglected the children, screamed at them outside…