M.A.L. v. Department of Children & Family Services
M.A.L. v. Department of Children & Family Services
Opinion of the Court
M.A.L. appeals from an order terminating his parental rights based on his failure to comply with a case plan. He argues that the trial court erred in terminating his parental rights on this basis because he was incarcerated and did not have the substantial ability to comply. Because the trial court’s finding of failure to comply was primarily based on M.A.L.’s actions while he was at liberty, we affirm.
In support of his argument, M.A.L. cites In re E.L.H., 687 So.2d 924 (Fla. 2d DCA 1997), which holds that, in order to base termination on the failure to comply with a case plan, the parent must have the substantial ability to comply with the agreement. In E.L.H., this court found that it was improper to terminate the father’s parental rights for failure to complete a case plan where the trial court had found that the father was unable to comply with the case plan while incarcerated. This case is distinguishable. Here, the trial court found that at the time of the hearing M.A.L. was unable to provide for his child’s material needs because he was incarcerated. However, the trial court did not find that M.A.L.’s failure to complete the case plan was due to a lack of financial resources or to his incarceration.
The record shows that M.A.L. committed several criminal offenses in 1998 and was placed on probation. In the following months, he was in and out of jail for violating his probation. MAL.’s son was adjudicated dependent on April 7, 1998. M.A.L. was offered a case plan which required him to maintain contact with the Department of Children and Family Services counselor, set up a visitation schedule to see the child, obtain stable housing and employment, provide financial support for the child, complete a financial affidavit, refrain from illegal drug use, have no new law violations, and comply with all terms of
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In the Interest of D.R., a child, M.A.L. v. Department of Children and Family Services
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Published