C.B. v. Department of Children and Families — Fifth District affirmed the dependency-court ruling without an opinion

Case
C.B., Mother of D.R., and M.R., Children v. Department of Children and Families
Court
Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal
Judge
Jay, C.J.; Harris, J.; Soud, J.
Date Decided
August 18, 2026
Docket No.
5D2026-1183
Topics
Dependency; Child Welfare; Summary Affirmance
Source
Read the full opinion

Background

C.B., the mother of children D.R. and M.R., appealed from a ruling of the Circuit Court for Citrus County in a dependency proceeding. Circuit Judge Kristie Marie Healis presided below.

C.B. represented herself on appeal. The Department of Children and Families and the statewide Guardian ad Litem Office appeared through counsel. The appellate court’s brief disposition does not describe the underlying facts, identify the specific order challenged, or recount the parties’ arguments.

The Court’s Holding

The Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court’s ruling. Chief Judge Jay and Judges Harris and Soud concurred in the per curiam disposition.

The court issued no written analysis or explanation for its decision. Accordingly, the opinion establishes only that the challenged ruling was affirmed; it does not state a legal rationale or resolve any identified issue in a precedential written opinion.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fifth District affirmed the Citrus County circuit court’s ruling.
  • The decision was issued per curiam by a three-judge panel.
  • Because the court provided no facts or reasoning, the disposition should not be read as announcing a new rule of law.

Why It Matters

The decision leaves the circuit court’s ruling in place, subject to any timely and authorized motion under Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331. Its practical significance is primarily to the parties because the appellate court did not provide a reasoned opinion for use in future cases.

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