[JURIST] ABC WFTS-TV in Tampa is reporting that the Florida Department of Children and Families [official website] may have lost an opportunity - perhaps its only opportunity - to take Terri Schiavo into protective custody and restore her feeding tube contrary to a court order. Early Thursday morning around 8 AM the Department appealed Judge George Greer's injunction against its intervention, automatically staying the injunction and opening a legal window during which it could act. As a morning hearing began around 11:15, however, no action had been taken and Greer restored the injunction, although the Department continues to try and stall for time. Greer is expected to rule on the original DCF petition [JURIST report] later today. WFTS has more [video report].

1:19 PM ET - A WFTS-TV print report is now available.

2:04 PM ET - A copy of the DCF appeal and Judge Greer's order restoring the stay [PDF] is now online from DCF.