G.A. v. Department of Children & Family Services

WHATLEY, Judge.

G.A., the father, appeals an order adjudicating his daughter, I.A., dependent. The order was entered after the trial court found G.A. in default for his failure to appear. We reverse.

On October 30, 2002, the Department of Children and Family Services (Department) filed its petition alleging that I.A. was dependent, and the case was set for arraignment on December 3, 2002, at 9:00 a.m. The transcript of the arraignment hearing reflects that the case was the eleventh case set on the docket that morning.1 When the case was called, it was noted that the mother was present and that…