In re A.F.

BACKGROUND

The Agency’s petition concerned M.S.’s sons — ages 13 and 10 — and daughter — 16 months old. (All ages at the time of the petition.) The Agency alleged the toddler had suffered, or there was a substantial risk she would

1 suffer, serious physical harm inflicted nonaccidentally by P.F., her alleged father. It also alleged the children were at substantial risk of suffering serious physical or emotional harm due to P.F.’s domestic violence towards mother, and that P.F. had substance abuse issues impeding his ability to appropriately care for the children. The Agency alleged mother admitted to letting P.F. stay in her home beginning July 2, 2023, despite a three-year criminal restraining order — listing her and the boys as protected parties — issued after he hit and choked her on May 18, 2021. (Unless otherwise specified, all events occurred in 2023.) On July 4, the police responded to a report of P.F. “violating the . . . order.” P.F. was intoxicated and holding the toddler. The eldest son asked P.F. to give her to him, but P.F. refused. The son began punching him, and P.F. used the girl to deflect the blows. P.F. admitted he’d inhaled an unspecified white powder before…