In the Interest of N. H.

The mother of a premature infant had a history of prostitution, was physically abused during her pregnancy, was an admitted cocaine addict, smoked marijuana twice per day while pregnant and tested positive for drugs 18 days after giving birth.

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The biological mother of N. H. appeals from the juvenile court’s order finding the child deprived under OCGA § 15-11-2 8 A. The mother argues that there was insufficient evidence to find that N. H. was a deprived child and to award temporary custody of the child to the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services “DFCS”. We disagree and affirm. On appeal from a juvenile court’s order finding deprivation, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the juvenile court’s judgment to determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found by clear and convincing evidence that the child was deprived. We neither weigh evidence nor determine the credibility of witnesses. Citations and punctuation omitted. In the Interest of A. A. , 293 Ga. App. 471 667 SE2d 641 2008. So viewed, the record reflects that on June 7, 2008, the female child N. H. was born six weeks premature with a low birth weight and breathing problems. The mother admitted that she had a history of prostitution and that the father of N. H. physically abused her while she was pregnant. The mother further admitted that she was a long term crack cocaine addict who smoked crack while pregnant and had never been in a drug treatment program. Twice during the pregnancy, she tested positive for cocaine. As a result, N. H. was diagnosed “with cocaine affecting the fetus slash newborn via the placenta and breast milk.” Additionally, the mother admitted that she smoked marijuana twice a day while pregnant with N. H.

During N. H.’s stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, the attending neonatal physician observed on at least one occasion that the mother was behaving erratically and appeared to be under the influence of illegal drugs. Due to her concerns that N. H. would be unsafe if discharged to the mother, the physician contacted DFCS. N. H. subsequently was placed into emergency shelter care on June 24, 2008. The following day, the mother submitted to a drug screen that came back positive for marijuana and opiates.

In the Interest of N. H.

The mother of a premature infant had a history of prostitution, was physically abused during her pregnancy, was an admitted cocaine addict, smoked marijuana twice per day while pregnant and tested positive for drugs 18 days after giving birth.

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