Department of Children & Families v. T.W.

Petitioner filed an Emergency Petition for Certiorari seeking expedited review of an order rendered by the trial court ordering reunification of the mother with her two older children, who had previously been sheltered. The order was entered at the mother’s drug court status hearing. Petitioner had no prior notice that reunification would be addressed, Petitioner was not afforded an opportunity to present witnesses or otherwise prepare to address this issue, and no proper evidentiary hearing was held where witnesses were called to testify under oath.

When it became apparent that the trial…