L.M., MOTHER OF N.M. AND G.M., CHILDREN
v.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
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Evidence was legally insufficient to support adjudication of dependency based on either violent behavior or substance abuse, where there was no showing of actual harm to the children or serious risk thereof. The dependency order was reversed.
[1] Evidence of substance abuse alone is legally insufficient to support an adjudication of dependency without proof that the substance abuse compromises the parent's ability…
[2] Evidence of impulsive and violent behavior is legally insufficient to support an adjudication of dependency without proof of a reasonable risk of serious injury to the ch…
Previewing 2 of 4 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“evidence did not support determination of dependency based on prospective abuse or neglect where no one testified that the children were poorly cared for, or that either child suffered physical, mental, or emotional harm because of the mother's alcohol and drug use”
Establishes that mere substance abuse does not constitute dependency without evidence of resulting harm to the child.
Previewing 1 of 3 key quotes on this case — the court’s exact language, pinpointed for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceThe Department of Children and Families filed a dependency petition alleging the mother should be adjudicated dependent due to violent impulsive behav…
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IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA FIFTH DISTRICT NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE MOTION FOR REHEARING AND DISPOSITION THEREOF IF FILED L.M., MOTHER OF N.M. AND G.M., CHILDREN, Case No. 5D21-2573 LT Case No. 2021-DP-28
Appellant,
v.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Appellee. ________________________________/ Opinion filed April 28, 2022 Appeal from the Circuit Court for Hernando County, Stephen E. Toner, Jr., Judge. Kari Jorma Myllynen, The Law Offices of K.J. Myllynen, Esq., Land O’ Lakes, for Appellant. Rachel Batten, of Children’s Legal Services, Brooksville, for Appellee, Department of Children and Families. Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb, Statewide Director of Appeals, and Samantha C. Valley, Senior Attorney, of Guardian ad Litem, Tallahassee, for Guardian ad Litem Program. SASSO, J.
L.M., mother of N.M. and G.M. (“Mother”), appeals the trial court’s order adjudicating the children dependent, contending the evidence was legally insufficient to support the trial court’s determination. Mother also appeals the post-dependency order denying her request for a home study. This appeal arises out a petition for dependency filed by the Department of Children and Families (“the Department”) on March 12, 2021, wherein the Department alleged N.M. and G.M. should be adjudicated dependent because Mother abused, abandoned, or neglected the children: (1) by engaging in impulsive and violent behavior that displays a wanton disregard for the presence of the children and could reasonably result in serious injury to the children, and (2) due to an extensive history of substance abuse to the extent that Mother’s ability to provide supervision and care for the children is likely to be severely compromised. We agree with Mother that the evidence is legally insufficient to support an adjudication of dependency on both grounds.1 While we afford deference to the trial court’s resolution of the conflicting evidence in this case, we conclude that even still, the evidence presented was legally insufficient to support a finding of dependency based
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Citator
Authorities Cited
- J.C. and S.C. v. Dep't of Child. & Families, 773 So. 2d 1220 (Fla. 4th DCA 2000)
- T.G. and W.G. v. Dep't of Child. & Families, 927 So. 2d 104 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006)
- In the Interest of W.P., 534 So. 2d 905 (Fla. 2d DCA 1988)
- S.S. v. Dep't of Child. & Families, 81 So. 3d 618 (Fla. 1st DCA 2012)
- In the Interest of R.H. and G.K., 516 So. 2d 324 (Fla. 2d DCA 1987)