State, Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services ex rel. Williams v. Thibodeaux

SCHOONOVER, Judge.

The appellants, State of Florida, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS), and Nerissa Leighton Williams challenge a final judgment entered in a paternity action. We find that the trial court erred by entering a judgment in favor of the appellee, Charles Richard Thibodeaux, at the conclusion of the appellants’ case-in-chief and, accordingly, reverse.

HRS, on the behalf of Nerissa Leighton Williams, filed a paternity and support action against the appellee. The appellee filed an answer denying the material allegations of the appellants’ complaint. During a…