S.R., mother of E.C. and S.R., minor children, Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (2021)

The mother of minor children E.C. and S.R. appeals the final judgment terminating her parental rights under section 39.806(1)(e)1., Florida Statutes (2020), for failing to substantially comply with her case plan. Despite her slow start, the testimony at trial showed that the mother has made recent progress. Even so, competent, substantial evidence supports the trial court's determination that a statutory ground for termination of parental rights exists, that termination is in the children's manifest best interests, and that termination is the least restrictive means of protecting the children from harm. See J.B. v. C.S., 186 So. 3d 1142, 1143 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016) (affirming termination despite evidence of the parent's “marked improvement”); N.L. v. Dep't of Children & Family, 843 So. 2d 996, 1000 (Fla. 1st DCA 2003) (“Where the trial court's findings that the evidence is clear and convincing are supported by competent substantial evidence, and the appellate court cannot say that no one could reasonably find such evidence to be clear and convincing, the finding will not be set aside on appellate review.”).

Affirmed.

Per Curiam.

Kelsey, Nordby, and Long, JJ., concur.