In the Interest of D.F.

ALLEN, Judge.

The appellant challenges an order in which the trial court determined that his children were dependent and directed the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (the department) to file a petition to terminate his parental rights. Concluding that two of the points raised by the appellant have merit, we reverse the order in part and remand for further proceedings.

Alleging that the appellant’s children had been emotionally abused, the department filed a petition requesting an adjudication that the children are dependent as defined in chapter 39, Florida Statutes (1991). At…