N.F., Father of N.F. and N.F., Each a Child v. Department of Children and Families
CourtDistrict Court of Appeal of Florida
Date FiledJanuary 6, 2022
Docket1D21-0865
StatusPublished
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Full Opinion
FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF FLORIDA
_____________________________
No. 1D21-865
_____________________________
N.F., father of N.F. and N.F.,
Each a Child,
Appellant,
v.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES,
Appellee.
_____________________________
On appeal from the Circuit Court for Duval County.
Michael Kalil, Judge.
January 6, 2022
PER CURIAM.
Appellant, the father of two minor children, challenges the
final order terminating his parental rights on two grounds. We
affirm.
Our review shows that competent, substantial evidence
supports the trial court’s finding by clear and convincing evidence
that the Department proved at least one statutory ground, thereby
complying with section 39.802(4)(a), Fla. Stat. (2020). The ground
proven was Appellant “engaged in conduct towards the child or
children that demonstrates that the continuing involvement of the
parent or parents in the parent-child relationship threatens the
life, safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of
the child, irrespective of the provision of services.” § 39.806(1)(c),
Fla. Stat. (2020).
Since the Department needed to prove only one ground for
termination, we need not decide whether the trial court correctly
determined that Appellant’s alcohol abuse satisfied section
39.806(1)(j), Florida Statutes, as an alternative ground. See
§ 39.802(4)(a); R.V. v. Dep’t of Child. & Fams., 301 So. 3d 392 (Fla.
5th DCA 2020). Further, we affirm the trial court’s finding that
termination is in the best interest of the children and was the least
restrictive means of protecting the children. See J.P. v. Fla. Dep’t
of Child. and Fams., 183 So. 3d 1198 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016).
AFFIRMED.
ROBERTS, RAY, and BILBREY, JJ., concur.
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Not final until disposition of any timely and
authorized motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or
9.331.
_____________________________
David Maldonado, Lakeland, for Appellant.
Ward L. Metzger Children Legal Services, Department of Children
and Families, Tallahassee, for Appellee.
Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb, Statewide Director of Appeals, Statewide
Guardian ad Litem, Tallahassee; Beth Kathryn Roland, Defending
Best Interests Project, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office,
Orlando, for Guardian ad Litem.
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