Opinion
Nos. 2008-10284, 2008-10289, (Docket Nos. B-2340-00, B-2341-00).
December 22, 2009.
In two related proceedings pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b to terminate parental rights on the ground of permanent neglect, the mother appeals from two orders of factfinding and disposition (one as to each child) of the Family Court, Queens County (Richroath, J.), both dated October 21, 2008, which, after factfinding and dispositional hearings, found that she permanently neglected the subject children, terminated her parental rights, and transferred custody and guardianship of the children to the petitioner and the Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services of the City of New York for the purpose of adoption.
Larry S. Bachner, Jamaica, N.Y., for appellant.
John R. Eyerman, New York, N.Y., for petitioner-respondent.
Steven Banks, New York, N.Y. (Tamara Steckler, Marcia Egger, and Joann Le Bright of counsel), for respondent.
Before: Dillon, J.P., Florio, Balkin and Leventhal, JJ., concur.
Ordered that the orders of factfinding and disposition are affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
To terminate parental rights based upon permanent neglect, the petitioning agency must establish, by clear and convincing' evidence, that the parent failed, for a period of more than one year following the date the child came into care, "substantially and continuously or repeatedly to maintain contact with or plan for the future of the child, although physically and financially able to do so, notwithstanding . . . diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship" (Social Services Law § 384-b [a]; see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 NY2d 136, 142-143; Matter of Lauramarie Addie W., 18 AD3d 473, 473-474). Here, the petitioner met its burden by establishing that, during the relevant time period, the mother failed to complete an alcohol treatment program, failed to complete a counseling program, and failed to take the steps needed to obtain public assistance, despite the petitioner's diligent efforts to strengthen and encourage the parent-child relationship ( see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 NY2d at 143-144; Matter of Ebony Starr B., 14 AD3d 507, 508). Furthermore, the Family Court properly determined that termination of parental rights was in the children's best interest.
The mother's remaining contention is without merit.