In re N.R. CA2/1

BACKGROUND

The facts are undisputed. Mother resided with nine-year- old N.R., his half sibling A.R. (age six), their three half sisters, and H.C., the half sisters’ father. H.C. had substance abuse and mental health issues, and physically abused A.R. For most of these proceedings the family lived in motels using housing vouchers, and sometimes lived in a car. The family home was filthy and unsanitary. On February 7, 2023, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS or the Department) filed a Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 petition alleging H.C.’s substance abuse and physical abuse of A.R. endangered all 1 the children. The children were detained from mother and H.C. and placed in a foster home. Father’s whereabouts were at first

1 Undesignated statutory references will be to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 unknown but he was soon located, after which N.R. was placed with him. Proceedings as to N.R. progressed quickly. On April 5, 2023, DCFS reported that mother, who appeared to have underlying mental health issues, relied on family members and H.C. to provide housing and transportation. She demonstrated no ability to care for the…