AH v. Department of Children and Families

Appellant challenges the order terminating his parental rights to his children, A.G. and J.G., based on his purported default for failure to attend the final hearing. Because the trial judge excused Appellant from attending the hearing and suggested that his attorney could appear in his stead, we reverse the order and remand this cause for an adjudicatory hearing on the merits.

The Florida Department of Children and Families sought to terminate Appellant’s parental rights to A.G. and J.G., alleging that he had abandoned them. Appellant appeared at an advisory hearing on April 9, 2008, where…