In re D.P.

In this appeal from the Circuit Court of Hancock County, the Department of Health and Human Resources appeals a circuit court’s order dismissing a petition alleging a father had abused and neglected his daughter. After vesting legal custody of the child with the child’s grandmother — a disposition the Department supported — the circuit court determined that further hearings on the petition would be “idiotic” and not in the best interests of the child. The Department asserts that the circuit court was still required to formally determine whether abuse or neglect occurred before the petition…