State of Florida, Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services Ex Rel. State, Department of Human Services v. Thornton

The petitioner, the State of Florida, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS), seeks a writ of mandamus both to compel compliance with a prior order of this Court and to advise the Honorable Judge Clarence L. Watt that any assumption of jurisdiction in this case is punishable by contempt in view of the prior order. The petitioner also requests that this Court issue a writ of habeas corpus directing the respondents, Carl and Mildred Thornton, to deliver the infant child, C.H., to the appropriate representative of the HRS for placement.

This case involves the custody of C.H., who…