State of Florida, Department of etc. v. B.C., the mother and C.S., the father

Termination of the constitutionally-protected parental right is permissible only if it is shown that “reunification with the parent poses a substantial risk of signifi- c.ant harm to the child” and that termination is the “least restrictive means” of achieving the State’s interest of “protecting the child from serious harm.” Padgett v. Dep't of HRS, 577 So.2d 565, 571. (Fla.1991). The trial judge concluded — based on clear and convincing evidence — that termination of parental rights was warranted and in the manifest best, interests of the children involved.- He nonetheless concluded that…