R.H., MOTHER OF R.B., L.B., H.B., MINOR CHILDREN
v.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Fla. 1st DCA | 2025-06-11
No. 2024-0386
Oberliesen, J., Bilbrey, J., Kelsey, J., Nordby, J.
2025 FL 4785 Florida District Court of Appeal, First District (2025)

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Holding

Summary affirmance is appropriate under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.315(a) when an appellant's brief fails to present a preliminary basis for reversal.


Headnotes

[1] Under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.315(a), summary affirmance is appropriate when an appellant's initial brief fails to present a preliminary basis for reversal,…

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Key Quotes

“Under rule 9.315(a), summary affirmance is appropriate where the initial brief fails to present a 'preliminary basis for reversal,' regardless of the good-faith intentions of the filing party.”

Court's explanation of the standard for summary affirmance

Facts & Procedural History

The mother appealed a final judgment terminating her parental rights to three minor children. After appointed appellate counsel withdrew, the mother p…

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Per_curiam
Per Curiam

FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL

STATE OF FLORIDA

_____________________________

No. 1D2024-0386 _____________________________

R.H., Mother of R.B., L.B., H.B., Minor Children,

Appellant,

v.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND

FAMILIES,

Appellee. _____________________________

On appeal from the Circuit Court for Escambia County. David J. Oberliesen, Judge.

June 11, 2025

PER CURIAM.

This is an appeal of the final judgment of termination of the Appellant mother’s parental rights to three children. Upon appointed appellate counsel’s motion to withdraw under rule 9.146(g)(4)(B), Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, we granted the motion and ordered that the mother would thereafter appear in proper person. See N.S.H. v. Dep’t of Child. and Fam. Servs., 843 So. 2d 898 (Fla. 2003). The mother was provided the record and copies of the rules of appellate procedure governing appeal proceedings in termination of parental rights cases, requirements for appellate briefs, and requirements for filing and service.

2 The mother’s brief contains no legal argument why the circuit court erred. The final judgment of termination of the mother’s parental rights is therefore summarily affirmed under rule 9.315(a), Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. See Spencer v. Fla. Power Light/Broadspire, 141 So. 3d 203, 204 (Fla. 1st DCA 2013) (“Under rule 9.315(a), summary affirmance is appropriate where the initial brief fails to present a ‘preliminary basis for reversal,’ regardless of the good-faith intentions of the filing party.”).

AFFIRMED.

BILBREY, KELSEY, and NORDBY, JJ., concur.

_____________________________

Not final until disposition of any timely and authorized motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or 9.331. _____________________________

R.H., pro se, Appellant.

Sarah J. Rumph, Appellate Counsel, Children’s Legal Services, Tallahassee; Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb, Statewide Director of Appeals, and Caitlin E. Burke, Senior Attorney, Appellate Division, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, Tallahassee; Jamie Billotte Moses of MMPO Defense, Pro Bono, Defending Best Interests Project, Guardian ad Litem, Orlando.


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