Brian Suciu filed suit against Kids Central Inc., a private contractor performing state child welfare services, and several officials including DCF Commissioner Taylor Hatch and Dr. Linda Abeles, who conducted a psychological evaluation. Suciu alleged the defendants relied on false medical and psychological evaluations to justify state intervention in his child custody case, claiming his children were never in immediate danger and that the investigation was 'unlawful and unconstitutional.'
Byron found that Suciu's complaint violated federal pleading rules by containing 'conclusory, vague, and immaterial facts not obviously connected to any particular cause of action' and by failing to specify which defendants were responsible for which acts. 'Plaintiff's Complaint makes it virtually impossible for the Court to discern what claims Plaintiff asserts against each defendant,' Byron wrote, noting that shotgun pleadings are repeatedly condemned by the Eleventh Circuit.
The judge also determined the court likely lacks subject matter jurisdiction under the Younger abstention doctrine, which prevents federal courts from interfering with ongoing state proceedings. Byron noted that child custody matters 'implicate important state interests' and that Suciu appeared to be mounting 'an improper collateral attack on the state court proceedings involving the custody of his children.'
Byron took Suciu's motion to proceed in forma pauperis under advisement and gave him until May 7, 2026, to file an amended complaint that complies with federal pleading rules and clearly establishes the court's jurisdiction. The judge warned that pursuing frivolous claims could result in sanctions and that failure to comply with the order may result in dismissal for failure to prosecute.