Local News in Brief : COUNTYWIDE : Court Upholds Taking of Baby From Mother
Authorities acted properly in taking from her mother a child who showed signs of cocaine withdrawal at birth, the 4th District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana ruled Tuesday. The decision leaves intact the placement of the now 3-year-old child, identified only as Crystal R., in a home unknown to the mother.
The mother, who allegedly was addicted to heroin and morphine, claimed that she was entitled to 12 months after the birth in which to show she could care for Crystal. Because she spent much of that time in jail, the mother claimed, Crystal was not legally taken from her.
The court rejected the argument, holding that because the mother “would not leave a life of drugs and crime” the county Department of Social Services acted properly in moving to end her parental rights.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
