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

VILLANTI, Judge.

C.J., the Mother, appeals the trial court’s order adjudicating her daughter, D.J., dependent. While the Department’s actions in this case clearly violated the spirit, as well as the letter, of the dependency statute, we nevertheless are compelled to affirm the order declaring D.J. dependent because the trial court’s ruling is supported by competent, substantial evidence.

The Mother’s first contact with the Department came about when her own mother beat and abused her. The Mother had also been sexually abused by several men. The Mother was initially placed under the protection…