Case Name: D. M., the Mother of D.W.M. and D.J. M., Children, Appellant, v. The DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2003-07-11
Citations: 849 So. 2d 423
Docket Number: No. 1D02-5276
Parties: D. M., the Mother of D.W.M. and D.J. M., Children, Appellant, v. The DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Appellee.
Judges: WEBSTER, PADOVANO and POLSTON, JJ. concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 849
Pages: 423–423

Head Matter:
D. M., the Mother of D.W.M. and D.J. M., Children, Appellant, v. The DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Appellee.
No. 1D02-5276.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
July 11, 2003.
Connie Renee Clay, Jacksonville, for Appellant.
Michael Kapperman, Assistant General Counsel, State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, Jacksonville, for Appellee.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Appellant argues that the trial court's finding of acts constituting abandonment, abuse, and neglect, as defined in section 39.01, Florida Statutes (2002), was not supported by competent substantial evidence. We agree.
The record does not support the trial court's finding that appellant neglected her children by (i) leaving them alone in the house, and (ii) because of her alleged substance abuse problems. See C.C. v. Department of Children and Family Services, 812 So.2d 520, 523 (Fla. 1st DCA 2002)(ruling that the "trial court must determine whether substance abuse will affect a parent's ability to provide the care and support the children need in the future"); B.C. v. Department of Children and Families, 846 So.2d 1273, 2003 WL 21348582 (Fla. 4th DCA June 11, 2003)(holding that the record failed to support a finding of prospective abuse or neglect due to the father's alcohol or drug use).
REVERSED and REMANDED.
WEBSTER, PADOVANO and POLSTON, JJ. concur.