J.S.S. v. Florida Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services

THREADGILL, Judge.

The appellant challenges a final order dismissing with prejudice his petition for adoption of his three minor stepchildren. We reverse.

The appellant has been incarcerated since 1986. He married the natural mother of the children in 1992. The natural father is deceased. The appellant filed a petition for adoption by a stepparent along with the written consent of the natural mother and the only child more than twelve years of age, as required by section 63.062(l)(a) and (c), Florida Statutes (1993). Without conducting a hearing, the trial court dismissed the petition with…