This is a life threatening child protection matter happening in the State of Florida right now involving two young girls who reported being abused by their own father. Department of Children and Families, Orange County Sheriff's office, and the Orange County Court system have failed to do their job and protect these children. This is extreme negligence on the State, family court system, and agencies listed. 

After the children disclosed the horrific abuse, their mother has been fighting tirelessly against the corrupt agencies, court system, and State to protect her daughters. There has been extensive evidence presented during this custody battle, including testimony, DCF findings, therapy reports, and active criminal concerns.

According to documented court and DCF records, the Florida Department of Children and Families found positive findings of severe abuse and testified to concerns regarding the children’s safety with their father. Judicial findings also found corroborative evidence of physical abuse involving the younger child. A child abuse and trauma specialist further testified that the children have suffered severe physical, emotional, psychological, and mental abuse, with evidence of grooming and manipulation by the father. Multiple reports from CPT/DCF also recommended that the father complete a Batterers Intervention Program related to domestic violence history. 

Despite these serious allegations, documented findings, and ongoing criminal concerns, the court still awarded full custody to the accused father. The court removed these girls from the loving, stable, and protective home  with no basis or evidence, where they have been cared for over a year by their mother and family. The family is devastated and cannot understand how the State of Florida allowed these children to be handed over to a predator.

This decision directly contradicts the intent and protections behind Florida’s Greyson’s Law, which was created to ensure courts properly consider evidence of abuse when determining custody. Greyson’s Law exists to prevent children from being placed back into dangerous environments because abuse is minimized, ignored, or overlooked within family court proceedings.

It is clear Judge Holly Derenthal failed to properly evaluate the overwhelming evidence presented and failed to exercise the level of diligence required in a case involving child safety and abuse. Serious concerns have already been raised regarding the handling of this case, including complaints surrounding the judge’s gross misconduct.

These children deserve immediate protection. No child should be forced back into the custody of an abuser when agencies, specialists, and court testimony have already raised repeated safety concerns. The public deserves transparency and accountability from a system that is supposed to protect vulnerable children, not place them in harm.

We are petitioning for immediate intervention to place these children back with their mother and family in their safe and nurturing environment, removing all contact with the abusive father. We are requiring a thorough review of this case, holding the State, courts, and all agencies accountable for the decisions that placed these children in great danger, and stronger enforcement of Greyson’s Law to ensure no child falls through the cracks of the family court system again.

This is not just about our family but all families suffering because of the gross negligence and lack of accountability by the State of Florida, its agencies, and courts to uphold the law and safety to protect our children. Help stand for right ruling and justice for our community!