In re F.F. CA2/5

I. BACKGROUND

A. Investigation and Assumption of Dependency Jurisdiction J.F. was born in March 2021. Her meconium tested positive for amphetamines. As hospital staff explained to a social worker with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department), this test indicated Mother used drugs in the second or third trimester of her pregnancy. After the positive drug screening at J.F.’s birth, a Department social worker interviewed Mother and Father.

1 Both parents have additional children, and two of Mother’s older children were involved in these dependency proceedings. Because Mother joins Father’s arguments without raising any separate issues, this appeal concerns only F.F. and J.F.

2 Mother disclosed she had a history of substance abuse. She stopped using drugs years earlier, but relapsed in early 2020. She claimed, however, that she did not use drugs during her pregnancy with J.F. Father denied current drug use but acknowledged using cocaine about three months earlier and methamphetamine about five months earlier. He used drugs on four or five occasions in 2020 while at work or at parties, but never at home or around Minors. Mother and…