Bypass of reunification services was appropriate where minor was removed from mother for a second time due to mother’s continued substance abuse. In an extraordinary writ petition, mother contended that there was insufficient evidence to support the juvenile court’s finding that she failed to treat the problems which led to removal of the minor and subsequent bypass of reunification services. The juvenile court rejected the argument and denied the writ. Mother made no effort to address her substance abuse issues until the minor was removed for a second time and bypass was recommended. Mother was using the few resources she had to support her substance abuse needs, and the minor was without proper care. At the time of the removal of the minor, mother had been using drugs again for nearly a year, and after the removal, she did not engage in services in any meaningful way. The juvenile court properly concluded that mother’s efforts were too little, too late.
Case Summaries