R.F. v. State, Department of Children & Families

R.F. (the Father) appeals the trial court’s order adjudicating his two minor children, M.F. and M.F., dependent following his conviction for attempted sexual battery on a stepdaughter who was under the age of twelve years. Although the Father raises four issues in this appeal, we address only the issue of whether evidence of sexual abuse of one child is sufficient evidence of abuse or neglect of a sibling to support an adjudication of dependency. We answer this question in the affirmative and find no error in the trial court.

The abuse of one child may provide cause for termination of the…