S.A., the Mother v. Department of Children and Families

Third District Court of Appeal
State of Florida

Opinion filed May 20, 2026.
Not final until disposition of timely filed motion for rehearing.
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No. 3D25-2407
Lower Tribunal No. 17-15662 TPB D001

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S.A., the Mother,
Appellant,

vs.

Department of Children and Families, et al.,
Appellees.

An Appeal from the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, Yery
Marrero, Judge.

S. A., the Mother, in proper person.

Karla Perkins, B.C.S., for appellee Department of Children & Families;
Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb, Statewide Director of Appeals, and Laura J. Lee,
Assistant Director of Appeals (Tallahassee), for appellee Guardian ad Litem.

Before SCALES, C.J., and LOGUE and LOBREE, JJ.

PER CURIAM.
The evidence admitted at trial supports the trial court’s findings that

S.A. has not substantially complied with the case plan and that termination

of S.A.’s parental rights is the least restrictive means to protect A.M.A. from

harm. Furthermore, the record expressly contradicts S.A.’s claims that she

was deprived of the right to participate in the trial and was not represented

by counsel at trial. Accordingly, we affirm. See generally G.C. v. Dep’t of

Child. & Fams., 337 So. 3d 446, 448 (Fla. 3d DCA 2022).

Affirmed.

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