04-46 IN RE: JUVENILE – PROCEDURES FOR DEPENDENCY CASES IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS - ORDERED 10/8/2004 BY JAMES E.C. PERRY
WHEREAS there are many children in this Judicial Circuit who are under the court’s jurisdiction/have been adjudicated dependent pursuant to Chapter 39, Florida Statutes; and WHEREAS these children may be in the temporary legal custody of, and residing with, relatives, non-relatives, or in the Department of Children and Families (hereafter “DCF”) foster homes; and WHEREAS these children may be in the permanent legal custody of DCF as parental rights have been terminated; and WHEREAS this Court recognizes the ongoing threat of emergency weather conditions that periodically face the State of Florida , especially during hurricane season; and WHEREAS it is necessary for the efficient administration of justice and for the safety of the children who are currently under this Court’s jurisdiction pursuant to Chapter 39; it is therefore
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
- That children who are in the legal custody of DCF or other out of home care as a result of a juvenile dependency matter in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, may upon threat of a hurricane, evacuate the area to a safe place either within the State or out of the State of Florida.
- That the foster parent or other legal custodian shall notify the Department or the appropriate community-based care provider of the child/children’s whereabouts at all times and shall return the child/children to this Court’s jurisdiction as soon as it is safe to do so.
- This administrative order shall be effective immediately.
Done and Ordered this 8th day of October 2004