In re Z.E. CA2/4

Filed 6/20/23 In re Z.E. CA2/4 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(a). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115(a).

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION FOUR

In re Z.E., a Person Coming B320946 Under the Juvenile Court Law.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY Los Angeles County DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN Super. Ct. No. AND FAMILY SERVICES, 19LJJP00142

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

A.M.,

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Donald A. Buddle Jr., Judge. Affirmed. Jack A. Love, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant. Dawyn R. Harrison, Interim County Counsel, Kim Nemoy, Assistant County Counsel, Stephen Watson, Senior Deputy County Counsel, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

INTRODUCTION

The juvenile court issued an order restricting A.M.’s (mother’s) custody and visitation of her child Z.E. On appeal, mother contends the court’s order was an abuse of discretion. The Department of Children and Family Services (Department) disagrees, arguing the order was reasonable and in furtherance of Z.E.’s best interests given mother’s history of abusing drugs, lack of progress in her parenting skills, and other inappropriate behavior, including sending Z.E.’s father threatening messages. As discussed in greater detail below, we agree with the Department and affirm.

BACKGROUND

On March 15, 2021, the juvenile court sustained a Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 300 petition filed on behalf of newborn Z.E. In sustaining the petition, the court found mother posed a substantial risk of serious physical harm to Z.E. due to her history of abusing substances including methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, as well as using drugs while pregnant. At the disposition hearing on March 23, 2021, the juvenile court declared Z.E. a dependent, removed him from parental custody, ordered him suitably placed, granted each parent three monitored three-hour visits per week, ordered reunification services for the child’s presumed father (father), and bypassed reunification services for mother. In March 2021, mother enrolled in a three-month inpatient treatment program. While in treatment, mother’s three weekly