S.M., etc. v. Florida Department of Children and Families

This case involves what is constitutionally required before terminating the parental rights to children. Recognizing that parents have a fundamental liberty interest in being a parent to their children, this Court has required that, as part of a parent’s constitutional rights, the termination of parental rights be the “least restrictive means” of protecting the child from harm. Padgett v. Dep’t of Health & Rehab. Servs., 577 So.2d 565, 571 (Fla.1991). The mother of three minor children, while conceding that the grounds for termination of parental rights had been met and that reunification…