Opinion
10-04-2016
In re JAHNEL B., and Others, Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Carlene Elizabeth B., Respondent–Appellant, The Children's Aid Society, Petitioner–Respondent.
Law Office of Bruce A. Young, New York (Bruce A. Young of counsel), for appellant. Rosin Steinhagen Mendel, New York (Douglas H. Reiniger of counsel), for respondent. Andrew J. Baer, New York, attorney for the children.
Law Office of Bruce A. Young, New York (Bruce A. Young of counsel), for appellant.
Rosin Steinhagen Mendel, New York (Douglas H. Reiniger of counsel), for respondent.
Andrew J. Baer, New York, attorney for the children.
TOM, J.P., SWEENY, ANDRIAS, WEBBER, GESMER, JJ.
Order of fact-finding and disposition (one paper), Family Court, Bronx County (Joan L. Piccirillo, J.), entered on or about December 12, 2014, to the extent it determined, after a hearing, that respondent mother abandoned and permanently neglected the subject children, unanimously affirmed, without costs. Appeal from so much of the aforementioned order as terminated the mother's parental rights after a dispositional hearing, unanimously dismissed, without costs, as nonappealable.
The finding of abandonment was supported by clear and convincing evidence, including petitioner agency's case record and the testimony of its caseworker, which, at best, showed only “sporadic and minimal attempts” by the mother to visit and communicate with the children or the agency (Matter of Latoya P., 305 A.D.2d 263, 264, 758 N.Y.S.2d 804 [2003], lv. denied 100 N.Y.2d 508, 764 N.Y.S.2d 385, 796 N.E.2d 477 [2003] ; see Social Services Law § 384–b[4][b],[5] [a] ), or otherwise inquire about the children's care and well-being during the relevant time period.
In addition, petitioner demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that the children were “permanently neglected” within the meaning of Social Services Law § 384–b(7)(a). We reject appellant's contention that petitioner failed to make diligent efforts to strengthen and encourage the parent-child relationship (see § 384–b[7][f] ). To the contrary, petitioner formulated a service plan which included individual and group counseling, substance abuse and domestic violence counseling, submission to mental health evaluations, maintaining a stable household and income, as well as regular visitation with the children (see Matter of Darryl Clayton T. [Adele L.], 95 A.D.3d 562, 562–563, 944 N.Y.S.2d 519 [1st Dept.2012] ; Matter of Marah B. [Lee D.], 95 A.D.3d 604, 605, 944 N.Y.S.2d 109 [1st Dept.2012], lv. denied 19 N.Y.3d 810, 2012 WL 3854504 [2012] ).
Notwithstanding the agency's diligent efforts, the mother continuously failed to cooperate with the agency and comply with the service plan, and, thus, failed to plan for the children's future (see Matter of Aisha Latisha J., 182 A.D.2d 498, 582 N.Y.S.2d 408 [1st Dept.1992], lv. denied 80 N.Y.2d 759, 591 N.Y.S.2d 137, 605 N.E.2d 873 [1992] ). Specifically, the mother failed to regularly attend or benefit from her programs, failed to appear for many of the scheduled visits with the children and failed to engage with the children when she did attend (see Matter of Toshea C.J., 62 A.D.3d 587, 880 N.Y.S.2d 36 [1st Dept.2009] ).
Since the dispositional determination was entered on the mother's default—she did not appear and her attorney did not participate in those proceedings—we dismiss the portion of the appeal addressing that determination (see Matter of Amber Megan D., 54 A.D.3d 338, 862 N.Y.S.2d 568 [2d Dept.2008] ).
We have considered the mother's remaining arguments and find them unavailing.