What did the court decide?

The appellate court affirmed the lower court's decision in favor of the Department of Children and Families.

Who is affected by this decision?

The primary parties affected are T.M., the father and appellant, the minor children A.M. and J.M., and the Department of Children and Families.

Does this change custody or services immediately?

The decision affirms the circuit court's ruling, so whatever orders were in place from the circuit court remain effective unless changed by further authorized motions.

Can this decision be challenged further?

A party may file timely and authorized post-judgment motions under Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure (such as motions under rules 9.330 or 9.331) or seek further review if applicable, subject to procedural limits.

T.M., Father of v. Department of Children and Families

Docket 1D2025-0626

Court of record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

FamilyAffirmed

Filed: Apr 21, 2026 · 1 week ago
Jurisdiction: Florida
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
Type: Opinion
Case type: Family
Disposition: Affirmed
Docket: 1D2025-0626

Appeal from a decision of the Circuit Court for Hamilton County in a child-protection matter involving the Department of Children and Families.

Summary

The Florida First District Court of Appeal issued a brief per curiam decision affirming the trial court's judgment in a case where T.M., the father of two minor children, appealed the Department of Children and Families. The appeal arose from proceedings in the Circuit Court for Hamilton County. The appellate panel (Rowe, Ray, and Long, JJ.) unanimously concurred and affirmed the lower court's decision without published opinion. The mandate is subject to any timely motions authorized by Florida appellate rules.

Issue Decided

Whether the circuit court's ruling in the Department of Children and Families' proceeding concerning custody/child welfare matters as to the minor children should be reversed.

Court's Reasoning

The opinion is a short per curiam affirmance and does not state detailed reasoning. The appellate court affirmed the lower court's decision, indicating the panel found no reversible error in the circuit court's handling of the matter. The absence of a published opinion suggests the court determined the record and applicable law did not support reversal.

Parties

Appellant: T.M., Father of A.M. and J.M., Minor Children
Appellee: Department of Children and Families
Attorney: Natalie S. H. Kelley
Attorney: Carolyn Schwarz
Attorney: Kaila B. Preston
Attorney: Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb
Judge: Jamie Tyndal

Key Dates

Appellate decision date: 2026-04-21

What You Should Do Next

1
Consider filing authorized motions
If a party believes errors remain, they should evaluate and, if appropriate, file a timely motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or 9.331 within the permitted deadlines.
2
Consult counsel about further review
Discuss with appellate counsel whether there are grounds for further review or a petition to the Florida Supreme Court and ensure any filings meet appellate deadlines.
3
Comply with circuit court orders
Continue to comply with any existing circuit court orders affecting custody, visitation, or services for the minor children while appellate remedies are pursued or expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the court decide?: The appellate court affirmed the lower court's decision in favor of the Department of Children and Families.
Who is affected by this decision?: The primary parties affected are T.M., the father and appellant, the minor children A.M. and J.M., and the Department of Children and Families.
Does this change custody or services immediately?: The decision affirms the circuit court's ruling, so whatever orders were in place from the circuit court remain effective unless changed by further authorized motions.
Can this decision be challenged further?: A party may file timely and authorized post-judgment motions under Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure (such as motions under rules 9.330 or 9.331) or seek further review if applicable, subject to procedural limits.

The above suggestions and answers are AI-generated for informational purposes only. They may contain errors. NoticeRegistry assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on them.

Full Filing Text

FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
                STATE OF FLORIDA
                 _____________________________

                        No. 1D2025-0626
                 _____________________________

T.M., Father of A.M. and J.M.,
Minor Children,

    Appellant,

    v.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES,

    Appellee.
                 _____________________________


On appeal from the Circuit Court for Hamilton County.
Jamie Tyndal, Judge.

                         April 21, 2026


PER CURIAM.

    AFFIRMED.

ROWE, RAY, and LONG, JJ., concur.

                 _____________________________

    Not final until disposition of any timely and
    authorized motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or
    9.331.
               _____________________________
Natalie S. H. Kelley of the Law Office of Natalie S. Hall Kelley,
Saint Augustine, for Appellant.

Carolyn Schwarz, Appellate Counsel, Children’s Legal Services,
Fort Lauderdale, for Department of Children and Families.

Kaila B. Preston of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Tampa;
and Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb, Statewide Director of Appeals,
Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, Tallahassee, o/b/o A.M. and
J.M.




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