Background
J.D., the mother of the minor children S.J.W. and A.A.W., appealed from a decision of the Circuit Court for Marion County in a child-dependency proceeding. Circuit Judge Bradley E. King presided below.
The Department of Children and Families appeared as appellee, and the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office participated on behalf of the children. The appellate opinion does not describe the circuit court’s ruling, the underlying facts, the issues raised on appeal, or the parties’ arguments.
The Court’s Holding
The Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court’s decision. The three-judge panel issued its ruling per curiam, with Judges Makar, Lambert, and Soud concurring.
The court provided no written reasoning or discussion of the governing law. Accordingly, the opinion establishes only that the judgment under review was affirmed; it does not identify the grounds for affirmance or announce a legal rule.
Key Takeaways
- The Fifth District affirmed the Marion County Circuit Court’s decision.
- The ruling was an unexplained per curiam affirmance.
- The opinion supplies no facts, legal analysis, or basis for the court’s decision.
Why It Matters
The ruling leaves the circuit court’s decision in place as to J.D. and her minor children. Because the appellate court did not explain its reasoning, the opinion offers no substantive guidance on child-dependency law or the issues presented in the appeal.
The decision was designated nonfinal until disposition of any timely and authorized motion under Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331.