Opinion
No. 1954.
January 7, 2010.
Order, Family Court, New York County (Sara Schechter, J., at fact-finding; Karen Lupuloff, J., at disposition), entered on or about November 26, 2008, which, upon a finding of permanent neglect, terminated respondent mother's parental rights to the subject child and committed custody and guardianship of the child to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Administration for Children's Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Randall S. Carmel, Syosset, for appellant.
Rosin Steinhagen Mendel, New York (Douglas H. Reiniger of counsel), for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (John A. Newbery of counsel), Law Guardian.
Before: Mazzarelli, J.P., Friedman, Nardelli, Renwick and Román, JJ.
The finding of permanent neglect was supported by clear and convincing evidence ( see Social Services Law § 384-b [a]). The record demonstrates that the agency made diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship, including, inter alia, the arrangement of frequent visitation with the child, the referral for individual and group domestic violence therapy sessions, consultation and cooperation with respondent in an attempt to develop a plan for appropriate services for the child, and the provision of counseling services ( see Matter of Imani Elizabeth W., 56 AD3d 318). Despite these diligent efforts, respondent failed to adequately address the problems that led to the removal of her daughter ( see Matter of Wilfredo A.M., 56 AD3d 338; Matter of Tashona Sharmaine A., 24 AD3d 135, lv denied 6 NY3d 715). Her sporadic and superficial attendance at therapy sessions aimed at addressing her problem with anger management and the dangers created by her relationship with the child's abusive father does not permit a finding that she planned for her child's return ( see Matter of Nathaniel T., 67 NY2d 838, 841-842; Matter of Violeta P., 45 AD3d 352).
A preponderance of the evidence supports the determination that termination of parental rights to facilitate the adoptive process is in the best interests of the child, who is in a stable and caring environment provided by a foster mother who wishes to adopt her ( see Violeta P., 45 AD3d at 353).