In the Interest of A.L.O.

The Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) appeals a final order denying a petition for adjudication of dependency and a petition for termination of parental rights.

In May, 1989, HRS filed three dependency petitions, one for each of Appellee’s children. The father voluntarily turned custody of the children over to HRS, and admitted the allegations in the dependency petitions. The mother, Appellee, could not be found at the time, and was not properly notified of the dependency hearing or of her right to counsel. HRS concedes that the resulting dependency adjudication was…