V.D.-T. v. Department of Children & Families
V.D.-T. v. Department of Children & Families
Opinion of the Court
The judgment terminating the appellant father’s parental rights was supported by substantial competent evidence as to each of the three statutory grounds assigned and is therefore affirmed. §§ 39.806(l)(c), 39.806(l)(d)(2), 39.806(l)(e)(2), Fla. Stat. (2008).
Concurring Opinion
(concurring).
Although it makes no difference in this case, the trial court should not have relied on paragraph 39.806(l)(d)2., Florida Statutes (2007), as a ground for termination of parental rights. That statute allows termination “[w]hen the parent of a child is
The trial court cannot be faulted for this because it appears that this issue was not raised in the trial court. Further, the father has not raised the point in this court, and has not made a claim that the error is fundamental. That being so, we can leave for another day the question whether this type of error is a fundamental error which can be raised for the first time on appeal.
This issue makes no difference to the outcome of this case, because, as stated in the majority opinion, competent substantial evidence supports the other grounds for termination of parental rights.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.