K.C. v. Department of Children & Families

Appellant (“Mother”)’appeals the trial court’s order awarding permanent custody of her child to the non-offending parent (“Father”), denying reunification with her, and relinquishing jurisdiction by erroneously applying section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2015), resulting in an order permanently placing the child with Father. The Department of Children and Families concedes error.

We have repeatedly held that a court commits reversible error when it “permanently award[s] custody to a non-offending parent when the offending parent has a case plan goal of reunification and has either…