B.L., the Father v. Department of Children And Families
B.L., the Father v. Department of Children And Families
Opinion
The father appeals from the circuit court’s order finding that he contributed to the dependency of his two children based on two alleged domestic violence incidents towards the mother on December 24, 2013, and April 8, 2014. The father argues that the dependency adjudication against him was not supported by competent, substantial evidence of present or prospective abuse, primarily because the • evidence against him consisted entirely of hearsay without an applicable exception, that is, the mother’s statements as conveyed through the investigating officers. We agree with the father’s argument. See W.S. v. Dep’t of Children & Families, 41 So.3d 433, 434 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010) (“Where an adjudication of dependency is based entirely on inadmissible hearsay, or where the trial court relies heavily on inadmissible hearsay, it must be reversed.”). Thus, we reverse the dependency adjudication as to the father.
Reversed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.