FATHER OF AND CHILDREN v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (2017)

The father, M.S., appeals an order adjudicating his teenage sons dependent. He contends that the trial court's order was not supported by competent, substantial evidence. We agree.

After observing that the evidence presented by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) was “less than overwhelming,” the trial court nevertheless adjudicated the children dependent based on the father's recent arrests on drug-related charges.¹ Evidence that a parent has used illegal drugs, standing alone, is insufficient to support a finding of dependency. See, e.g., S.S. v. Dep't of Child. & Fams., 81 So. 3d 618, 621-22 (Fla. 1st DCA 2012). Here, DCF failed to present any evidence as to the circumstances surrounding the father's arrests or any evidence that the father's alleged drug-related actions harmed the children.²

REVERSED and REMANDED for entry of an order denying DCF's petition for dependency.

FOOTNOTES

1.   There was no evidence that the father had been incarcerated as a result of his arrests.

2.   Section 39.01(30)(g), Florida Statutes (2016), provides that “harm” to a child's health or welfare can occur where a person exposes a child to a controlled substance or alcohol. Exposure to a controlled substance or alcohol is established by:2. Evidence of extensive, abusive, and chronic use of a controlled substance or alcohol by a parent when the child is demonstrably adversely affected by such usage.§ 39.01(30)(g)2., Fla. Stat. (2016).

PER CURIAM.

SAWAYA, TORPY and EVANDER, JJ., concur.