Case Name: In re DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, on behalf of Darrell Ray KENNEDY
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1997-09-18
Citations: 698 So. 2d 1382
Docket Number: No. 97-2562
Parties: In re DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, on behalf of Darrell Ray KENNEDY.
Judges: GOSHORN, HARRIS and ANTOON, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 698
Pages: 1382–1383

Head Matter:
In re DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, on behalf of Darrell Ray KENNEDY.
No. 97-2562.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
Sept. 18, 1997.
Eric D. Dunlap, Orlando, for the Department of Children and Family Services.
David L. Ervin, Fern Park, for Darrell Ray Kennedy.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
The Florida Department of Children and Family Services and Darrell Ray Kennedy, an 18 year old developmentally disabled quadriplegic man, through his attorney, seek review of the denial of a petition for order approving surgical procedure, as well as emergency relief. We reverse the order and direct the immediate approval of the requested surgical procedure.
Kennedy's treating physician testified by deposition that if the requested surgical procedure is not performed, Kennedy will die. He also stated that the benefits of the procedure far outweigh the risks. His opinion was unrefuted. Kennedy, through his attorney, joined in the Department's request to approve the surgery. The lower court's order indicates that only the adult man's mother opposed the procedure. Although we understand the trial court's concern for the mother's opinion, she does not speak for an adult son, particularly a son represented by an attorney. In the absence of any medical testimony that the surgical procedure in question was not necessary or appropriate, the lower court erred in refusing to approve the treatment. The court's order is reversed and the court is directed to immediately enter an order approving the requested surgical procedure. No motion for rehearing will be entertained and the mandate shall issue forthwith.
REVERSED.
GOSHORN, HARRIS and ANTOON, JJ., concur.