Background
R.C., acting pro se (representing himself), appealed a decision by the Department of Children and Families affecting his three minor children. The appeal was taken from a final judgment entered by the Circuit Court for Columbia County. The Guardian ad Litem Office was also party to the appeal, as is standard in dependency and child welfare matters.
The Court’s Holding
The Florida First District Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in a per curiam decision issued July 15, 2026. All three judges concurred in the dismissal. The court’s opinion provides no written explanation of the grounds for dismissal—whether jurisdictional, procedural, or substantive.
Key Takeaways
- The appeal was dismissed without a written explanation of the court’s reasoning
- The dismissal is per curiam with full panel concurrence
- The decision is not final pending any timely motions under Florida Appellate Procedure Rules 9.330 or 9.331
- Pro se litigants do not receive special consideration—the same appellate requirements apply
Why It Matters
This dismissal terminates appellate review of the circuit court’s decision. Without a written opinion explaining the basis for dismissal, R.C. may be uncertain whether the dismissal rested on jurisdictional defects, procedural deficiencies, or the merits. He retains the right to file a motion for reconsideration or clarification of the grounds for dismissal. The decision underscores that child welfare appeals, like all appeals, are subject to strict procedural requirements.