M.R.L. ex rel. A.F.L. v. Department of Children & Families

Appellant, M.R.L., Jr., is currently serving a twenty-year sentence in a Florida prison. He appeals the denial of his request for modification of visitation of his minor child. The trial court denied appellant’s request without a hearing and without making any findings as to the effects on the child of visiting the appellant in prison. See § 61.13(2)(b) 2, Fla. Stat. (2000). Based upon the concession by the Department of Children and Families, we determine that appellant is entitled to a hearing on his request for visitation and may appear telephonically. See, e.g., Mattingley v. Mattingley,…