A.M., Mother of S.L., a Child v. Department of Children and Families
Docket 5D2026-0058
Court of record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research
- Filed
- Jurisdiction
- Florida
- Court
- District Court of Appeal of Florida
- Type
- Opinion
- Case type
- Other
- Disposition
- Affirmed
- Docket
- 5D2026-0058
Appeal from a circuit court order in a child-protective proceeding (dependency/proceeding involving the Department of Children and Families)
Summary
The Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed an appeal by A.M., the mother of S.L., from a Hernando County circuit court order in a child-protective proceeding brought by the Department of Children and Families. The appellate court issued a short per curiam opinion on April 16, 2026, and affirmed the lower court's decision. No further reasoning or explanation is included in the opinion; the panel of three judges concurred.
Issue Decided
- Whether the circuit court's order regarding the child-protective proceeding involving S.L. should be reversed
Court's Reasoning
The published document contains only a per curiam statement affirming the lower court's ruling without providing the court's reasoning. Because the opinion includes no substantive analysis, the appellate court's disposition stands as an unexplained affirmation of the circuit court's decision.
Parties
- Appellant
- A.M., Mother of S.L., a Child
- Appellee
- Department of Children and Families
- Attorney
- Scott Timothy Smith
- Attorney
- Rachel Batten
- Attorney
- Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb
- Attorney
- Amanda Victoria Glass
- Judge
- Stephen E. Toner, Jr.
Key Dates
- Decision date
- 2026-04-16
What You Should Do Next
- 1
Consider filing a motion for rehearing
If the mother or her counsel believe there is a viable basis, they can file a timely motion for rehearing under Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331.
- 2
Consult appellate counsel about further review
Discuss with counsel whether to seek review by the Florida Supreme Court and whether the case meets criteria for discretionary review.
- 3
Comply with the circuit court order
Unless and until a higher court changes it, the parties should continue to comply with the existing circuit court order in the child-protective case.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What did the appeals court decide?
- The appellate panel affirmed the circuit court's order in the child-protective case; the opinion provides no explanation.
- Who is affected by this decision?
- The parties directly affected are A.M. (the mother), her child S.L., and the Department of Children and Families; the circuit court's order remains in force.
- Does the opinion explain why the court affirmed?
- No. The published entry is a per curiam affirmation without stated reasons.
- Can this decision be challenged further?
- Potential further review options may exist, such as a motion for rehearing in the district court; any further appeal to the Florida Supreme Court would depend on eligibility and filing rules.
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
FIFTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF FLORIDA
_____________________________
Case No. 5D2026-0058
LT Case No. 2025-DP-000065
_____________________________
A.M., MOTHER OF S.L., a Child,
Appellant,
v.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND
CHILDREN,
Appellee.
_____________________________
On appeal from the Circuit Court for Hernando County.
Stephen E. Toner, Jr., Judge.
Scott Timothy Smith, of Scott T. Smith, P.A., Brooksville, for
Appellant.
Rachel Batten, of Children’s Legal Services, Brooksville, for
Appellee, Department of Children and Families.
Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb, Statewide Director of Appeals, and
Amanda Victoria Glass, Senior Attorney, Appellate Division, of
Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, Tallahassee, for Guardian ad
Litem.
April 16, 2026
PER CURIAM.
AFFIRMED.
MAKAR, KILBANE, and MACIVER, JJ., concur.
_____________________________
Not final until disposition of any timely and
authorized motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or
9.331.
_____________________________
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