DM v. Department of Children and Families

921 So.2d 737 (2006)

D.M., Mother of C.L. and C.L., Children, Appellant,

v.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Appellee.

No. 5D05-2885.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.

February 17, 2006.

Eddie J. Bell, Daytona Beach, for Appellant.

Jodi Abramowitz, of Department of Children & Family Services, Daytona Beach, for Appellee.

MONACO, J.

We are once again presented with a troubling "consent default" growing out of a proceeding to terminate parental rights. We conclude under the circumstances that the parent should not have been defaulted for failing to attend the termination hearing,…