How One Brooksville Mother Got Her Children Back From DCF in Four Days
A Brooksville mother and full-time K-12 teacher had her four children removed by a Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child Protective Investigator (CPI) on a Thursday.
The Mulligan & Associates team moved immediately into Hernando County’s dependency court, presented evidence on her behalf, and secured the return of all four children by the following Monday.
A removal this fast leaves almost no time to prepare. Florida law requires a shelter hearing within 24 hours of a child being taken into custody — the hearing where a judge decides whether the child goes home or stays in temporary care — so a parent’s window to respond is short and immediate.
Key Takeaways
- A DCF removal can occur at a parent’s workplace without advance warning.
- Florida’s shelter hearing must occur within 24 hours of removal, making early representation critical.
- This case moved from removal to full reunification in four days, well inside the standard dependency timeline.
- The mother kept her job, and her children were home before the next school week began.
Facing a DCF investigation in Hernando County? Reach out to Mulligan & Associates the moment you learn of a case — early representation changes outcomes.
What Happened at the Shelter Hearing
The CPI carried out the removal at the mother’s school, leaving her without her children at the exact moment the shelter hearing clock started.
Dependency cases run on a fixed schedule: a shelter hearing within 24 hours, followed by an arraignment hearing within 28 days if the case isn’t resolved sooner. That arraignment is where a parent admits, consents to, or denies the state’s allegations — a decision that shapes everything that follows.
A parent who reaches the shelter hearing without representation is responding to the state’s case in real time, with no chance to prepare evidence in advance. The clock doesn’t pause for that disadvantage.
How the Firm Responded
The Mulligan & Associates team took the case directly into Hernando County’s dependency court, built a defense around documentation rather than argument, and presented the facts and supporting evidence directly to the presiding judge.
The strategy centered on speed: getting in front of the court before the case could drift into a longer arraignment-and-adjudication track.
This approach mirrors how the firm’s founder, Christopher S. Mulligan, has represented families in dependency matters throughout the Fifth Judicial Circuit for more than 17 years, including serving as a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem for children in foster care.
Outcome: Reunification Within Days
| Stage | Timing in This Case | Standard Florida Timeline |
| Removal | Thursday | — |
| Shelter hearing | Within 24 hours of removal | Required within 24 hours by law |
| Children returned | Monday | Contested cases can extend to an arraignment hearing within 28 days |
| What Changed | Before | After |
| Custody | Children removed from the home | All four children returned |
| Employment status | At risk due to a workplace removal | Preserved — no disruption to the mother’s teaching position |
| Case status | Open shelter case | Resolved without proceeding to an adjudicatory hearing |
The case was resolved in days rather than the weeks or months a contested dependency matter can otherwise take.
“I am a teacher, and this CPI had DCF come to my job to remove my children on Thursday, and Mr. Mulligan had my children back to me by Monday. I was treated very unfairly and felt hopeless. Mr. Mulligan went into court to present the judge with all of the facts and evidence to prove my case. He is extremely caring and great at his profession. His staff is always willing to help and consistent. I am so thankful that I had him throughout this difficult time.” — Anna B., Brooksville, FL
A removal at work can also threaten a parent’s livelihood, which is part of why custody disputes involving allegations require fast, organized evidence rather than a drawn-out response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dependency case in Florida?
A dependency case begins when a child is removed from a home due to allegations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The court decides whether the child can safely return or whether further steps, including reunification efforts, are needed before that happens.
How fast does a shelter hearing happen after a DCF removal?
Florida law requires a shelter hearing within 24 hours of a child entering protective custody. An attorney can present evidence and argue for the child’s return at this hearing, which makes immediate representation critical to the outcome.
Can DCF remove a child from a parent’s workplace?
Yes. A Child Protective Investigator can carry out a removal wherever the child is located, including a parent’s job site, if they believe the child faces immediate risk. Legal representation should begin the moment a parent learns of an investigation.
What should a parent do immediately after a DCF removal?
Contact a dependency attorney without delay. Because the shelter hearing occurs within 24 hours, having evidence and an advocate ready before that hearing has a direct effect on whether a child returns home quickly.
Don’t wait through a DCF investigation alone — schedule a consultation with Mulligan & Associates and put a dependency attorney on your case before the next hearing.
About the Author
Christopher S. Mulligan
Florida Bar Member in Good Standing since November 9, 2007 (Bar No. 47524) · J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2006
Christopher S. Mulligan is a third-generation Florida attorney and founder of Mulligan & Associates in Brooksville, Florida. He drafted provisions of the 2005 Violence Against Women Act reauthorization and serves as a Guardian ad Litem and Attorney ad Litem for children in foster care. He represents families in divorce, custody, support, adoption, dependency, and injunction matters throughout the Fifth Judicial Circuit.