M.T. v. Department of Children & Family Services

FULMER, Judge.

M.T., the mother of C.R., M.R., A.S., M.S., M.S., and S.S., appeals a judgment that terminated her parental rights to her six children. She argues that the judgment must be reversed because the order of termination was based on her failure to appear at a “docket sounding”1 notwithstanding the appearance of her attorney. We agree that the trial court was without authority to enter the default and, therefore, reverse. Our resolution of this issue makes it unnecessary for us to discuss the other three points raised on appeal.

Section 39.801(3)(d), Florida Statutes (2000), provides…