Case Name: J.J., Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2006-03-15
Citations: 923 So. 2d 1198
Docket Number: No. 3D05-1687
Parties: J.J., Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, Appellee.
Judges: Before FLETCHER and SUAREZ, JJ., and SCHWARTZ, Senior Judge.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 923
Pages: 1198–1198

Head Matter:
J.J., Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, Appellee.
No. 3D05-1687.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
March 15, 2006.
Kenneth M. Kaplan, for appellant.
Calianne P. Lantz, for appellee.
Before FLETCHER and SUAREZ, JJ., and SCHWARTZ, Senior Judge.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
J.J., the minor child's natural father, appeals from a default order of dependency. We find that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to grant a continuance and by ordering a default judgment and consent to an adjudication of dependency as against the natural father. We reverse and remand for further proceedings at which the court shall allow the natural father to be present and to make his defense.
Reversed and remanded.