Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services v. Freeman

I agree with the result agreed upon by my colleagues, and I agree in part with reasons expressed by each in their opinions. The principal reason I conclude the appealed order requires reversal is different from both, however.

On October 27, 1995, HRS filed a dependency petition in the interests of C.D. and T.D. The children’s mother consented to the dependency petition, and defaults were ultimately entered against each child’s father. The disposition hearing was originally scheduled to be held on January 11, 1996, but the court granted HRS’ motion for a continuance and rescheduled the hearing…