In re Pablo A. CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Mother, T.F., appeals from the juvenile court’s order removing the child, Pablo. A., from her, releasing the child to father, Juan A., under supervision of the Department of Children and Family Services (Department), and ordering monitored visits for mother. After mother filed this appeal, the juvenile court terminated jurisdiction and entered an order granting mother and father joint legal custody, but ordered father sole physical custody of Pablo A. and monitored visits for mother (the exit order). Mother neither appealed from the exit order nor the order terminating jurisdiction. After mother filed her opening brief on appeal, but before briefing was complete, the Department moved to dismiss the appeal on the ground that it is moot. We preliminarily denied the motion to dismiss the appeal but, on further consideration, we agree the appeal is moot, and we decline to exercise our discretion to reach the merits of the appeal. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal as moot.

DISCUSSION

“A case becomes moot when events ‘“render[ ] it impossible for [a] court, if it should decide the case in favor of [the party seeking redress], to grant him [or her] any effect[ive]…