DM v. Department of Children and Families
DM v. Department of Children and Families
Opinion
D.M. [“Mother”] appeals a final order terminating her parental rights to K.P. Mother asserts that the trial court failed to comply with section 39.803, Florida Statutes (2009), and the Department of Children and Families [“DCF”] failed to offer competent proof to support the trial court’s findings. DCF offered testimony *946 of a case worker that the mother never identified the father and that DCF had made a request to determine whether anyone had registered with the Putative Father Registry, but no response or certificate had yet been received. This may have been considered a formality under the circumstances of the case and it may turn out to be a formality, but it is a formality that must be observed. Otherwise, there is a risk of unnecessary judicial labor and delay in permanent placement of the child. Cf. In the Interest of E.D., 884 So.2d 291 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004).
REVERSED and REMANDED.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.