H.S.S., the father, Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (2020)

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.

H.S.S., the father, Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, et al., Appellees.

No. 3D20-0091

Decided: May 13, 2020

Before LOGUE, SCALES, and LINDSEY, JJ.

Law Office of Amber B. Glasper, P.A., and Amber B. Glasper, for appellant. Karla Perkins, for appellee Department of Children and Families; Laura J. Lee (Tallahassee) and Thomasina F. Moore (Tallahassee), for appellee Guardian ad Litem Program.

“[A] trial court's determination of dependency is a mixed question of law and fact, which will be upheld on appeal if the trial court applied the correct law and its ruling is supported by competent substantial evidence.” L.C.R. v. Dep't of Children & Families, 207 So. 3d 339, 339 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016) (alteration in original) (quoting J.C. v. Fla. Dep't of Children & Family Servs., 937 So. 2d 184, 186 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006)). We affirm because the trial court applied the correct law and because competent substantial evidence supports the court's findings of actual abuse and neglect—either one of which is sufficient to affirm. See T.R. v. Dep't of Children & Families, 864 So. 2d 1278, 1280 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004) (“A finding of dependency is not a termination, but an opportunity to restore and hopefully repair a family heading in the wrong direction.”).

Affirmed.

PER CURIAM.

Was this helpful?

Why was this helpful?

Easy to understand

Solved my problem

Other

Why was this not helpful?

Missing the information I need

Too complicated / too many steps

Out of date

Other

Thank you for your feedback!

Trusted by Consumers. Recognized by AI.

As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.

Explore the Network