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When the Department of Children and Families removes a child or alleges abuse, abandonment, or neglect, the case is a Chapter 39, Florida Statutes, dependency proceeding in the circuit court's juvenile division — with fast statutory deadlines from the first day.
When a lawyer matters here
Parents in a dependency case have the right to a lawyer at every stage, appointed free if you cannot afford one (§ 39.013(9), Fla. Stat.). Ask for appointed counsel at the shelter hearing and do not waive it — what happens in the first hearings shapes the entire case, and the ultimate stake can be permanent termination of parental rights.
A child taken into custody must have a shelter hearing within 24 hours (§ 39.402(8)(a), Fla. Stat.). The court decides whether probable cause supports removal and where the child will stay; parents must be advised of their right to counsel (§ 39.013(9), Fla. Stat.).
The department files a dependency petition (§ 39.501, Fla. Stat.), and the court holds an arraignment hearing — within 28 days after the shelter hearing — where parents admit, deny, or consent to the petition (§ 39.506, Fla. Stat.). Denial leads to an adjudicatory hearing.
If the child is found dependent, a case plan sets the tasks for reunification or another permanency goal (§ 39.6011, Fla. Stat.), and the court reviews progress at least every six months (§ 39.701, Fla. Stat.). Completing case-plan tasks on the record is how reunification is documented.
Procedural information only — not legal advice and not a substitute for an attorney. Statewide rules are summarized with citations; local practice varies by division and judge, so verify deadlines with the Levy County clerk and review the assigned judge's verified preferences on the Levy County page.