Opinion ID: 1941865
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: B.S., S.C., K.S. and R.S.

Text: On February 10, 1989, the Corporation Counsel's office filed neglect petitions for B.S., S.C., K.S., and R.S., the children of A.S., alleging that [they are] without proper parental care and control necessary for [their] physical, mental and emotional health, and the deprivation is not due to the lack of financial means of [their] mother. Specifically, it was alleged that the children's home was filthy, that they had no food and little furniture, and that various items of drug paraphernalia were observed there. Pending further initial hearing, the trial court entered orders for conditional release of the children to reside with their maternal grandmother or maternal aunt. On February 13, 1989, the court placed the children with their maternal aunt. Subsequently, the children were placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services for shelter care placement. After trial commenced on the first scheduled trial date, the government moved to amend the petitions because it had discovered that the mother, A.S., had been arrested for distribution of cocaine. The court granted the motion to amend and a motion for mistrial. Thereafter, the government filed an amended petition which included the arrest information. On the next trial date, the government made an oral motion to dismiss, representing that the mother had completely changed her life for the better. Specifically, the government represented that A.S. had moved back in with her parents and was: (1) attempting to maintain employment; (2) testing drug free; (3) keeping in touch with her social worker; and (4) doing things for her children. A.S.'s attorney proffered that the co-defendant in A.S.'s pending drug case would testify that it was he, and not A.S., who sold the drugs. Further, counsel for the government reported that A.S.'s family had expressed a willingness to care for the minor children if the criminal charges against A.S. resulted in her incarceration. In response to the court's inquiry, counsel for the government stated that she felt they had made an adequate investigation before moving to dismiss the case. Counsel for the mother supported the motion. The GAL for the children opposed dismissal, contending that A.S. was involved extensively in drugs. The GAL urged that the court proceed with a hearing on the merits and authorize the GAL to proceed if the District should decline to do so, or alternatively continue the case until after completion of the criminal prosecution. The trial court, relying on the rationale set forth in In re D.B., 117 Daily Wash.L.Rptr. 665 (April 4, 1989), dismissed the petitions. [4] The GAL filed a motion for reconsideration in which he argued, inter alia, that since the GAL objected to dismissal, the court should hold an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the children were neglected. He contended that there was strong evidence of the mother's failure to provide proper care for the children and that it was not in the children's best interest to be returned to her at this time. The court denied the motion, and these appeals followed.