Opinion
1593-1593A
September 24, 2002.
Orders of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Harold Lynch, J.), entered on or about October 20, 1999, which, upon findings that respondent permanently neglected the subject children, terminated respondent's parental rights and transferred custody and guardianship of the children to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
PATRICIA S. COLELLA, for Guardianship.
PATRICIA W. JELLEN, for respondent-appellant.
MICHAEL A. NEFF, for petitioners-respondents.
Before: Nardelli, J.P., Saxe, Buckley, Ellerin, Marlow, JJ.
Clear and convincing evidence supports the finding of permanent neglect against respondent, based on her failure to plan for the future of her children by refusing to comply with the court's order to enroll in therapy and failing to attend several plan review meetings (see Matter of Keisha LeKeya D., 294 A.D.2d 161, 741 N.Y.S.2d 410; Matter of Yvonne Cecilea Y., 293 A.D.2d 423, 740 N.Y.S.2d 860). Notwithstanding the agency's diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship by urging respondent to follow the court's directive to attend and complete a course of psychotherapy and to attend the agency's service plan review meetings consistently, and by providing her with numerous referrals for therapy, attempting to schedule appointments for her initial intake assessments and scheduling regular visits for her with her children, respondent failed to avail herself of the services offered.
The record also amply supports Family Court's finding that it was in the best interests of the children that respondent's parental rights be terminated and that the children be freed for adoption (see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147-148).
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.