Firm News: South Florida Judge Dissolves Chapter 39 Injunctions, Reuniting Mother and Sons After 3-Year Battle

In a major victory for family rights and juvenile dependency defense, South County Court Judge Melanie Surber granted requests to dissolve long-standing Chapter 39 injunctions against Boca Raton mother Walquiria Cassini, her fiancé Ryan Londono, and her eldest son Matthew. The ruling clears the final legal obstacle preventing Cassini from reuniting with her two younger sons after nearly three years (1,009 days) of forced separation.

Our legal team was proud to co-counsel on this complex proceeding, proving that even when restrictive dependency orders persist long after criminal charges are dismissed, targeted legal advocacy can successfully restore parental rights.

Key Highlights of the Case Victory

• Demonstrating Substantial Change in Circumstances: The court found that the state's decision to drop all criminal charges in October 2025, combined with no open DCF investigations and zero new evidence of abuse, eliminated the legal foundation for continuing the injunctions.

• Exposing Unfounded Allegations: Defense evidence highlighted a history of high-conflict custody disputes, including recorded voicemails threatening false allegations and forensic evidence demonstrating severe red flags for parental alienation.

• Establishing Standard of Current Fear: Under Florida law, maintaining an injunction requires proof of an active, reasonable fear. The court determined that no evidence established a current reasonable fear, justifying full dissolution of the orders.

Challenging Chapter 39 Restrictions in Florida

Chapter 39 injunctions in child protection proceedings can severely restrict access between parents, paramours, and children. As demonstrated in this case, clearing criminal allegations is often only the first step—dissolving civil dependency injunctions requires dedicated presentation of forensic evidence, witness cross-examination, and statutory compliance in local family and dependency courts across Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie, and Miami-Dade counties.

Read the Full Story on WPTV News

This outcome received widespread media attention from local investigative journalists. To view the complete report, court footage, and client reactions:

• Read the full investigative story on WPTV News

If you or a family member are struggling under an unfair Chapter 39 restriction or dependency order, contact our office to evaluate your options for modifying or lifting the injunction.