D.M. v. DCF (Fla. 3rd DCA) (argued January 25, 2012)

This is a different D.M. than I posted last week. There’s a clear affirmance of TPR coming here. 

Court: Florida Third District Court of Appeal

Judges: Lagoa, Fernandez, Schwartz

Attorneys: Sandford Rockowitz for the Mother; Hillary Kambour for the GAL Program; Karla Perkins for DCF (joining GAL Program’s oral argument).

Issues: whether there was competent and substantial evidence to support TPR; whether the facts support a one-parent TPR.

Quote: “In these cases we’re not trying the DCF, much less the Guardian ad Litem. We’re trying the interests of the child.” – Judge Schwartz.

Outcome: Per curiam affirmed on February 8, 2012.