Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency

97.19 Parent as appellee

In re H.S.F., COA05-586, Rebekah W. Davis for appellee-father.
Mother waived proper service of process by fully participating in the proceeding without raising the issue of insufficiency of process.
Mother not entitled to GAL where problems based on substance abuse.
No abuse of discretion in determining child's best interest served by placing primary physical custody with father.
Slip Opinion

In Re A.P., SC06-534, Gary Rhodes for appellee-father.
If a natural parent's conduct has not been inconsistent with his constitutionally protected status, application of best interest standard with a non-parent (DSS) offends the Due Process Clause.
COA Slip Opinion
SC Slip Opinion

In re E.P. and M.P., COA06-687, K. Edward Greene and Alyssa M. Chen for appellee-mother.
Petition properly dismissed where evidence showed domestic violence and substance abuse, but no neglect.
Slip Opinion

In re Ha.M., K.M., Ho.M., and A.Y., COA06-948, Katharine Chester for appellee-mother.
Evidence sufficient to support the court's findings of fact and conclusion of law that children were not neglected or dependent.
Slip Opinion

In Re C.B., J.B., Th.B and Ti.B, SCT 06-586, Sofie Hosford for appellee-father.
Corporal punishment does not constitute neglect per se and COA properly found that the petition failed to prove either neglect or abuse of the children by their father.
Slip Opinion
SCT Opinion

In Re E.P. and M.P., 298A07, K. Edward Greene, Tobias Hampson and Christy Wilhelm
The majority decision of the Court of Appeals properly affirmed the trial court's dismissal of both juvenile petitions.
COA Slip Opinion
SCT Slip Opinion