A.J. v. Department of Children & Families

This case arises out of a termination of parental rights and dependency proceeding involving nine children, three fathers, and two mothers. The appellants, A.J. and L.J., are the father and mother, respectively, of two boys, J.J., born in 2004, and J.L.J., born in 2005. The mother also has two sons with other fathers. These sons are M.D., born in 1996, and G.D., born in 2003. Five children the father had with his first wife were the subject of another appeal. See A.J. v. DCF, 97 So.3d 985 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012).

In September of 2010, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) filed a shelter…