O.i.c.l., Petitioner v. Florida Department of Children and Families, Respondent

Summary

The Florida Supreme Court dismissed O.I.C.L.’s appeal as moot because the petitioner had reached the age of majority and therefore could not be adjudicated a dependent child under section 39.01(15)(e) of the Florida Statutes. The Court held that no statutory authority exists to declare an adult a dependent child, and thus the appeal could not proceed. Justice Labarga dissented, arguing that the case is not moot under the “capable of repetition, yet evading review” doctrine, while Justice Canady concurred in the dismissal.