Opinion
2013-10-10
In re JESSEY ANDREWS S., and Another Dependent Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Benny William W., etc., Respondent–Appellant, Jewish Child Care Association of New York, Petitioner–Respondent.
Tennille M. Tatum–Evans, New York, for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Tennille M. Tatum–Evans, New York, for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Karen Freedman, Lawyers for Children, Inc., New York (Shirim Nothenberg of counsel), attorney for the children.
TOM, J.P., SWEENY, SAXE, FREEDMAN, CLARK, JJ.
Orders of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Sidney Gribetz, J.), entered on or about April 25, 2011, which, upon fact-finding determinations that respondent's consent was not required for the adoption of the subject children and, in the alternative, that respondent permanently neglected the children, terminated respondent's parental rights and committed the custody and guardianship of the children to the Commissioner of Social Services and petitioner agency for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The record supports the court's finding that respondent's consent was not required for the adoption of the children ( seeDomestic Relations Law § 111[1][d], [e]; Matter of Timothy M. [Timothy B.], 79 A.D.3d 595, 913 N.Y.S.2d 94 [1st Dept.2010] ). Respondent, who did not live with the children's mother during the relevant period, admitted that he made no payment toward the support of the children. The small gifts and occasional meals he gave them are insufficient to constitute support ( seeDomestic Relations Law § 111[1][d][i] ).
The record also supports the court's alternative finding that respondent permanently neglected the children by failing to plan for their future despite the agency's diligent efforts to strengthen his relationship with them ( seeSocial Services Law 384–b[7][a]; Matter of Sheila G., 61 N.Y.2d 368, 474 N.Y.S.2d 421, 462 N.E.2d 1139 [1984] ). The case worker testified that the agency made numerous referrals and that respondent refused them, saying that he had completed the services in the past in connection with proceedings to terminatehis parental rights to his two other children. Moreover, respondent admitted that he failed to complete the service plan before the petitions were filed.
The record demonstrates that it is in the best interests of the children to be freed for adoption ( see Family Court § 631; Matter of Michael B., 80 N.Y.2d 299, 590 N.Y.S.2d 60, 604 N.E.2d 122 [1992] ). While respondent has failed to address the problems that led to the children's placement, the foster parents, who want to adopt the children, have provided them with a loving, supportive home in which their special needs are addressed.