Fla. R. Juv. P. 8.660

(a) Contents of Petition.

(1) Only those authorized by law may file a petition

alleging that a child is in need of services. Each petition shall be

entitled a petition for child(ren) in need of services and shall allege

sufficient facts showing the child to be in need of services based

upon applicable law.

(2) The petition shall contain allegations as to the

identity and residence of the parents or custodians, if known.

(3) The petition shall identify the age, sex, and name of

the child. Two or more children may be the subject of the same

petition.

(4) More than one allegation of children in need of

services may appear on the same petition, in separate counts.

(b) Verification. The petition shall be signed by the

petitioner, stating under oath the petitioner’s good faith. No

objection to the petition on the grounds that it was not signed or

verified, as herein provided, shall be entertained after a plea to the

merits.

(c) Amendments. At any time before or during an

adjudicatory hearing, an amended petition may be filed or the

petition may be amended by motion. Amendments shall be freely

permitted in the interest of justice and the welfare of the child. A

continuance may be granted upon motion and a showing that the

amendment prejudices or materially affects any party.

(d) Defects and Variances. No petition or any count thereof

shall be dismissed, or any judgment vacated, on account of any

defect in the form of the petition or of misjoinder of counts. If the

court is of the opinion that the petition is so vague, indistinct, and

indefinite as to mislead the child, parent, or custodian and

prejudice any of them in the preparation of a defense, the petitioner

may be required to furnish a more definite statement.

(e) Voluntary Dismissal. At any time before entry of an

order of adjudication, the child(ren) in need of services petition may

be voluntarily dismissed by petitioner without leave of the court by

serving a notice of dismissal on all parties, or, if during a hearing,

by so stating on the record. Unless otherwise stated, the dismissal

shall be without prejudice.