In re D.L. CA2/2

BACKGROUND

The family Father and mother were both 15 years old at the time the proceedings commenced. Father was a prior dependent of the juvenile court and has been incarcerated since the time of D.L.’s birth and throughout the proceedings. Mother too has an extensive child welfare history as a minor. She also had a criminal history with the juvenile delinquency court system. During these proceedings, she was on probation for fighting and had experienced many suspensions and school expulsions for uncontrolled anger and instances of peer fighting. At the time of D.L.’s birth, mother was residing with the paternal grandmother (PGM). Petition and Detention On December 6, 2019, DCFS received a referral alleging mother, who had not received prenatal care, tested positive for marijuana when she gave birth to D.L. The test results showed

3 high levels of marijuana. DCFS did not then detain D.L. from mother. On December 12, 2019, a DCFS social worker made an unannounced visit at PGM’s home. Mother admitted to smoking marijuana while pregnant with D.L. and identified father as D.L.’s biological father. Mother had been in a relationship with father for about two years. She and father…