N.L. v. Department of Children & Families

The father appeals the denial of his motion to vacate the final judgment terminating his parental rights to his child. The final judgment was entered based upon the father’s constructive consent due to his failure to appear at the adjudicatory hearing on the petition to terminate rights. Although notified of the necessity of his personal appearance at the hearing on the motion to vacate, the father failed to appear again. The trial court denied his request to testify telephonically when the Department of Children and Families objected. In so ruling, the trial court was correct, as Florida…