Opinion
1006, 1005, 1004, 1003.
05-03-2016
In re ESSENCE T.W., and Others, Dependent Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Destinee R. W., Respondent–Appellant, Catholic Guardian Services, Petitioner–Respondent.
Daniel R. Katz, New York, for appellant. Magovern & Sclafani, Mineola (Joanna M. Roberson of counsel), for respondent. Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Jess Rao of counsel), attorney for the children.
Daniel R. Katz, New York, for appellant.
Magovern & Sclafani, Mineola (Joanna M. Roberson of counsel), for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Jess Rao of counsel), attorney for the children.
TOM, J.P., RENWICK, RICHTER, KAPNICK, WEBBER, JJ.
Opinion Orders of disposition, Family Court, New York County (Jane Pearl, J.), entered on or about October 17, 2014, to the extent they bring up for review the fact-finding determination that respondent permanently neglected the subject children, unanimously affirmed, without costs, and appeals therefrom otherwise dismissed, without costs, as taken from nonappealable orders.
The finding of permanent neglect is supported by clear and convincing evidence that, during the statutorily relevant period, despite petitioner agency's diligent efforts, respondent failed to address meaningfully the problems leading to the children's placement, and thus failed to plan for their future (see Social Services Law § 384–b[7][a], [3][g][i] ; Matter of Ashley R. [Latarsha R.], 103 A.D.3d 573, 962 N.Y.S.2d 71 [1st Dept.2013], lv. denied 21 N.Y.3d 857, 2013 WL 2436351 [2013] ). Petitioner's referrals of respondent to counseling programs and parenting classes, arranging for visitation, and directing random drug screens constituted the diligent efforts required by the statute (see Social Services Law § 384–b[7][f] ); petitioner was not a guarantor of respondent's success in overcoming her predicament (Matter of Sheila G., 61 N.Y.2d 368, 385, 474 N.Y.S.2d 421, 462 N.E.2d 1139 [1984] ). The finding of permanent neglect is also supported by clear and convincing evidence that, despite petitioner's diligent scheduling efforts, respondent failed to maintain regular contact with the children (see Social Services Law § 384–b[7][a] ).
We reject respondent's contention that petitioner failed to make diligent efforts to help her tackle the problems identified in her mental health evaluation, and thus failed to strengthen and encourage the parent-child relationship (see Social Services Law § 384–b[7][f] ; Matter of Imani Elizabeth W., 56 A.D.3d 318, 868 N.Y.S.2d 171 [1st Dept.2008] ). Petitioner worked with respondent to include individual therapy in her service plan, and, although it reminded her to keep her appointments, respondent failed to attend them.
No appeal lies from the dispositional portions of the orders, since those portions were entered on default (see CPLR 5511 ; Matter of Monique Twana C., 246 A.D.2d 351, 667 N.Y.S.2d 371 [1st Dept.1998] ). In any event, a preponderance of the evidence at the dispositional hearing established that the best interests of the children would be served by terminating respondent's parental rights (see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147–148, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824, 470 N.E.2d 824 [1984] ). The children have bonded with their foster mother, who has met all their needs and wishes to adopt them (see Matter of Emily Jane Star R. [Evelyn R.], 117 A.D.3d 646, 987 N.Y.S.2d 319 [1st Dept.2014] ).