Opinion ID: 2326676
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Jeopardy Proceeding

Text: [¶ 3] The Department first became involved with the family in October 2001, after Natalie was seen at an emergency room for scabies and head lice. In January 2002, employees of the Department went to the family's home to complete a safety assessment. There, they found unsanitary and unkempt conditions. Thomas and his clothing were observed to be filthy, and Angela was observed changing Thomas's diaper in an unsanitary area. Several safety hazards existed in the home, including unsecured heavy objects and construction materials. Many empty beer cans, some in bags, were observed in the residence. [¶ 4] In response to these conditions, the Department sought and obtained ex parte preliminary protection orders and removed Thomas and Natalie from the home. The parents waived their right to a summary preliminary hearing, and the court entered an order in January 2002 providing that the children would remain in the Department's custody. Natalie is the subject of a separate proceeding that is not the subject of this appeal. [¶ 5] A jeopardy hearing was held in February regarding Thomas, and the court ( Foster, J. ) entered an agreed-to jeopardy order that provided that Thomas would remain in the Department's custody, and contained the following findings: Jeopardy consists of the following circumstances: the children have been living in an unsanitary and unsafe home, and have been subject to emotional abuse by exposure to domestic discord and what the Department believes is substance abuse. Thomas has had bruises that are consistent with inflicted injury. The children have not had their medical needs met: ... Thomas has mild to moderate delays in all areas of development. [¶ 6] Thomas has many special needs because of severe developmental disabilities. He requires multiple medical appointments and treatments with service providers, which necessitate a great deal of time and effort on the part of his caregivers to ensure that he attends those appointments. He had a significant and largely untreated medical condition of crossed eyes at the time he went into the Department's custody, and some of his basic immunizations had been neglected.