J.R. v. Department of Children & Family Services

NOBTHCUTT, Chief Judge.

J.R., the father of L.L-R., challenges the order terminating his parental rights.1 The circuit court determined that he had abandoned the child. § 39.806(l)(b), Fla. Stat. (2006). The Department of Children and Family Services concedes that the evidence did not support the court’s ruling. We agree and reverse.

L.L-R. was removed from her mother’s custody in January 2007. The department filed a petition for dependency against both parents but listed J.R.’s whereabouts as “unknown.” Subsequent reports listed the father’s address as “Mexico” or stated that he “has not been…