Dept. of Children Serv. vs. Sarah Owens

Petitioners filed a petition to intervene and for temporary custody in a dependent and neglect proceeding filed against the adoptive parents of the subject child. Pursuant to a later filed petition to terminate the parental rights of the adoptive parents, the juvenile court entered an order terminating the parental rights. The court then ruled that the petition to intervene and temporary custody was moot on the basis that juvenile court lacked jurisdiction over the dispute because of the previous order terminating the parental rights of the child's adoptive parents and granting guardianship of the child to the state. The petitioners appealed to the circuit court for a trial de novo, and the circuit court subsequently dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Petitioners appeal. We affirm the circuit court's finding that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal but amend the order of the trial court to transfer the case to the Court of Appeals rather than dismissal.