Opinion
12-31-2015
In the Matter of JERIKKOH W. Ontario County Department of Social Services, Petitioner–Respondent; Rebecca W., Respondent–Appellant.
Cara A. Waldman, Fairport, for Respondent–Appellant. Gary L. Curtiss, County Attorney, Canandaigua (Holly A. Adams of Counsel), for Petitioner–Respondent. Sonali R. Suvvaru, Attorney for the Child, Canandaigua.
Cara A. Waldman, Fairport, for Respondent–Appellant.
Gary L. Curtiss, County Attorney, Canandaigua (Holly A. Adams of Counsel), for Petitioner–Respondent.
Sonali R. Suvvaru, Attorney for the Child, Canandaigua.
PRESENT: CENTRA, J.P., PERADOTTO, CARNI, LINDLEY, and DeJOSEPH, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:In this proceeding pursuant to Social Services Law § 384–b, respondent mother appeals from an order that, inter alia, terminated her parental rights with respect to the subject child on the ground of permanent neglect and transferred guardianship and custody of the child to petitioner. The child was removed from the mother's custody after he suffered a broken femur in August 2010, and the mother pleaded guilty to assault in the third degree in connection with that injury (Penal Law § 120.00[2] ). In August 2011, the child suffered further injuries during an overnight unsupervised visit with the mother and, in May 2012, the mother was convicted of assault in the third degree and endangering the welfare of a child (§ 260.10[1] ) for inflicting those injuries. As part of the mother's sentence on the second assault conviction, a no-contact order of protection was issued in favor of the child through December 2014. Petitioner then commenced this proceeding.
Contrary to the mother's contention, petitioner demonstrated by the requisite clear and convincing evidence that it made diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the relationship between the mother and the child (see Matter of Davianna L. [David R.], 128 A.D.3d 1365, 1365, 8 N.Y.S.3d 520, lv. denied 25 N.Y.3d 914, 2015 WL 5037553 ; see generally Matter of Alex C., Jr. [Alex C., Sr.], 114 A.D.3d 1149, 1149–1150, 980 N.Y.S.2d 187, lv. denied 23 N.Y.3d 901, 2014 WL 1704499 ). Among other things, petitioner arranged for a psychological evaluation of the mother, facilitated visitation between the mother and the child, provided the mother with parenting classes, referred the mother for counseling, invited the mother to participate in service plan reviews, and contacted potential guardians, whom the mother had identified, for the child.
Contrary to the mother's further contention, petitioner established that, despite those efforts, the mother failed to plan appropriately for the child's future (see Alex C., Jr., 114 A.D.3d at 1150, 980 N.Y.S.2d 187 ; Matter of Whytnei B. [Jeffrey B.], 77 A.D.3d 1340, 1341, 907 N.Y.S.2d 760 ). It is well settled that, to plan substantially for a child's future, "the parent must take meaningful steps to correct the conditions that led to the child's removal" (Matter of Tatianna K. [Claude U.], 79 A.D.3d 1184, 1185–1186, 912 N.Y.S.2d 166 ; see Matter of Nathaniel T., 67 N.Y.2d 838, 840, 501 N.Y.S.2d 647, 492 N.E.2d 775 ). Here, the mother failed to accept responsibility for the events that led to the child's removal and the entry of the order of protection against her, and she failed to attend the recommended counseling aimed at dealing with the mental health issues underlying those events. In addition, the mother failed to identify any meaningful plan for the child while the order of protection was in place, and that failure, like the failure of an incarcerated parent to plan, supports a finding of permanent neglect (see Matter of Gena S. [Karen M.], 101 A.D.3d 1593, 1594, 958 N.Y.S.2d 546, lv. dismissed 21 N.Y.3d 975, 970 N.Y.S.2d 744, 992 N.E.2d 1087 ). We therefore reject the mother's contention that it was not in the child's best interests for the court to terminate her parental rights.
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.