In Re Maria P.

This matter originated in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, sitting as a juvenile court, where Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (“the Department”) filed a petition alleging that Maria P. (“Gabby”), 1 age 12, was a child in need of assistance (“CINA”) pursuant to Md.Code (1973, 2002 Repl.Vol.), § 3-801(f) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article. 2 At the CINA adjudicatory hearing, 3 Gabby’s mother, Matrida R. (“Petitioner”), was excluded from the hearing because of the court’s concern that Gabby might not testify truthfully in the presence of her mother.…