In re Perla C. CA2/2

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. Facts Pertinent to Dependency Jurisdiction

Mother gave birth to Perla in May 2018. Perla’s father is Hugo C. (father). In March 2022, mother tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamine. At that time, father was incarcerated on an eight-year sentence for assaulting a peace officer with a deadly weapon.

All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless otherwise indicated.

II. Procedural History of Petition

On March 14, 2022, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) filed a petition asking the juvenile court to exercise dependency jurisdiction over Perla because mother’s substance abuse placed Perla at substantial risk of serious physical harm, thereby rendering jurisdiction appropriate under subdivision (b) of section 300. The juvenile court had exerted dependency jurisdiction over all seven of mother’s other children. All seven had been removed from mother’s custody; six were eventually placed in legal guardianships and the seventh put up for adoption after mother’s parental rights were terminated as to him. On May 20, 2022, the juvenile court…