In re A.C. CA4/2

BACKGROUND

I. Proceedings resulting in the termination of parental rights

The family came to the attention of San Bernardino County Children and Family

Services (CFS) in October 2021. CFS received a referral alleging physical abuse of A.C.,

the three-week old daughter of mother and father (collectively, parents). A.C. had been

admitted to the hospital and had parietal bone fractures on both sides of her skull,

subdural hematomas on both sides of her head, microhemorrhages in her brain, three

“‘corner fractures’” on her right leg, and subconjunctival hemorrhaging in her eye. Dr.

Komal Aziz performed a forensic exam of A.C. and opined that A.C.’s injuries were

caused by blunt force trauma, shaking, and/or falling from a significant height. He

concluded that A.C.’s injuries were most consistent with abusive head trauma and

physical abuse.

In separate interviews with a social worker and a sheriff’s deputy, parents initially

denied causing A.C.’s injuries or knowing how the injuries were caused. Father

2 eventually told the deputy that he had accidentally dropped A.C. The deputy recorded

father reenacting the scene with a doll and showed the video to Dr. Aziz.…