Opinion
2012-10-4
In re DIAMOND LEE P., A Dependant Child Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Paula C., also known as Paula T., Respondent–Appellant, Cardinal McCloskey Services, Petitioner–Respondent.
Neil D. Futerfas, White Plains, for appellant. Geoffrey P. Berman, Larchmont, for respondent.
Neil D. Futerfas, White Plains, for appellant. Geoffrey P. Berman, Larchmont, for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (John A. Newbery of counsel), attorney for the child.
Order, Family Court, Bronx County (Karen I. Lupuloff, J.), entered on or about October 24, 2011, which denied respondent mother's motion to vacate an order of disposition, same court and Judge, entered on or about July 19, 2011, upon her default, which, upon findings of permanent neglect, terminated her parental rights to the subject child and committed the custody and guardianship of the child to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Respondent failed to demonstrate a reasonable excuse for her default and a meritorious defense to the petition ( see CPLR 5015[a][1] ). Even if respondent was unable to attend the dispositional hearing due to a delay at her methadone clinic, she failed to explain why she could not notify her counsel, the court, or the agency about her alleged inability to appear at the hearing ( see Matter of Tyieyanna L. [Twanya McK.], 94 A.D.3d 494, 494, 941 N.Y.S.2d 498 [1st Dept. 2012] ). Further, respondent failed to show that the agency did not make diligent efforts to help her with her drug problem ( seeSocial Services Law § 384–b[7][f][3] ), or that she had completed the drug programs and maintained sobriety during the statutorily relevant period ( see§ 384–b [7][a]; Matter of Octavia Loretta R. [Randy McN.-Keisha W.], 93 A.D.3d 537, 538, 941 N.Y.S.2d 41 [1st Dept. 2012] ). Nor did she demonstrate that at the time of the dispositional hearing she was ready to care for the child (Matter of Octavia, 93 A.D.3d at 538, 941 N.Y.S.2d 41).
No appeal lies from the order of disposition entered on default ( see Matter of Lisa Marie Ann L. [Melissa L.], 91 A.D.3d 524, 525, 936 N.Y.S.2d 542 [1st Dept. 2012] ). Were we to review the order, we would conclude that the finding of permanent neglect was supported by clear and convincing evidence, and that a preponderance of the evidence showed that termination of respondent's parental rights was in the best interests of the child.