LLC v. In Re: Guardianship of Jacqueline Daley, a Ward, Respondent. (2026)

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, South Florida Donor Network, LLC (“SFDN”), petitioned this court for an emergency writ of certiorari seeking to quash the circuit court's October 8, 2026 Order Denying its Emergency Petition for Authorization of Anatomical Gift and Organ Donation pursuant to section 765.512, Florida Statutes (2026). SFDN is a Tier 1 Organ Procurement Organization responsible for organ procurement services in South Florida. The petition alleged that Jacqueline Daley (the “Ward”) was scheduled to be withdrawn from life support by the end of the day, and once life support is removed, the Ward's organs cannot be used for lifesaving purposes. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § (4)(b)(3), Fla. Const.; Fla. R. App. P. 9.030(b)(2)(A).

Under the Florida Anatomical Gift Act, sections 765.510–765.547, Florida Statutes (2026), when a decedent has not made an anatomical gift or designated a health surrogate, a member of one of the classes of persons listed in the statute, in the order of priority listed and in the absence of actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent or actual notice of opposition by a member of a prior class, may give all or any part of the decedent's body for transplantation or other purpose listed in section 765.513, Florida Statutes (2026). § 765.512(3)(d), Fla. Stat. (2026). After ordering a response to the petition and incorporated emergency motion for stay of the trial court's order granting the guardian's alternative petition for authority to withdraw life-prolonging procedures, this court conducted an oral argument at approximately 7:00 p.m. on October 9, 2026. During the hearing, no party or interested person objected to entry of a temporary stay of the lower court's orders, and we entered a stay pending further order of the court. The following day, respondent's counsel advised the court that the Ward passed away during the evening. Upon consideration of the suggestion of death filed by respondent's counsel, we vacate the stay and dismiss this petition as moot.

Dismissed.

PER CURIAM.