What is a dependent child?
Under Florida Statutes, chapter 39, a dependent child is one who has been found by a court to:
- Have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by the child's parent or parents or legal custodians
- Have been surrendered to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or a licensed child-placing agency for purpose of adoption
- Have been voluntarily placed with a licensed child-caring agency, a licensed child-placing agency, an adult relative, or DCFS, after which placement a case plan has expired and the parents or legal custodians have failed to comply with the requirements of the plan
- Have been voluntarily placed with a licensed child-caring agency for the purposes of subsequent adoption, and the parents have signed a consent pursuant to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure
- Have no parent or legal custodians capable of providing supervision and care
- Be at substantial risk of imminent abuse, abandonment, or neglect by the parents or legal custodians

Show All Answers

1. What is juvenile delinquency?
2. What is the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC)?
3. How do I find out about my child's charges?
4. If I have a juvenile record, how can I receive a copy?
5. What is a dependent child?
6. If my child has been removed from my care, who do I contact?
7. If my child has been removed from my care, when will I go to court?
8. What is a child in need of services?
9. Where can I go to get guardianship of a child who is in my care and has no court intervention involving abandonment or abuse?
10. What are the Laws about Juveniles and Tobacco?
11. What is required to satisfy a juvenile smoking citation written under statute 569.11 or 877.112 (6)?
12. What is required to satisfy a juvenile smoking citation written under statute 386.212?
13. How do I pay for my citation?
14. Where can I go to do Community Service?
15. If I do community service, is there a form that I need to submit as proof?
16. Where can I take the Tobacco Education Course?
17. Who is responsible for submitting the certificate when the tobacco education course is completed?
18. How do I contest my citation?
19. What laws govern the Juvenile Courts?
20. How can I report what I think is a child abuse, neglect, or abandonment situation?
21. What are some examples of juvenile delinquency charges?
22. What cases are handled by the Juvenile Court?