W.T.J. v. E.W.R.

WELLS, Justice.

We have for review a decision of the First District Court of Appeal on a question the court certified to be of great public importance:

WHETHER THE CASE OF IN INTEREST OF B.W., 498 So.2d 946 (Fla.1986), PRECLUDES A FINDING OF ABANDONMENT WHERE THE NATURAL FATHER VOLUNTARILY COMMITS A CRIME PRIOR TO THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILD WHICH REASONABLY COULD BE EXPECTED TO RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT DURING THE ENTIRE OR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE TIME THAT THE CHILD WILL BE A MINOR.

E.W.R. v. W.T.J., 702 So.2d 1343, 1345 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997). We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 3(b)(4), Fla. Const. We…