Opinion
2013-10-29
In re KHADIJAH DESTINY H., A Dependent Child Under The Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Carmella Maria R., Respondent–Appellant, v. New Alternatives for Children, Inc., Petitioner–Respondent.
Richard L. Herzfeld, P.C., New York (Richard L. Herzfeld of counsel), for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Richard L. Herzfeld, P.C., New York (Richard L. Herzfeld of counsel), for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Larry S. Bachner, Jamaica, attorney for the child.
TOM, J.P., ANDRIAS, SAXE, FREEDMAN, RICHTER, JJ.
Order, Family Court, Bronx County (Monica Drinane, J.), entered on or about July 29, 2011, which, insofar as appealed from as limited by the briefs, found that respondent mother was presently and for the foreseeable future unable to care for the subject child by reason of mental retardation, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Petitioner met its burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that respondent suffers from mental retardation within the meaning of Social Services Law § 384–b(4)(c) and (6)(b) (Matter of Erica D. [Maria D.], 80 A.D.3d 423, 915 N.Y.S.2d 46 [1st Dept.2011], lv. denied16 N.Y.3d 708, 2011 WL 1160593 [2011] ). Such evidence included, inter alia, respondent's IQ scores and the reports and testimony of two court-appointed psychologists, who concluded that respondent's deficits in academic skills and self-direction rendered her unable to provide proper care for the child ( see Matter of Leomia Louise C., 41 A.D.3d 249, 836 N.Y.S.2d 874 [1st Dept.2007] ).
We have considered respondent's remaining arguments and find them unavailing.