Opinion
2901, 2901A.
Decided on February 19, 2004.
Orders of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Carol Stokinger, J.), entered on or about August 16, 2001, insofar as appealed from, terminating respondent father's parental rights to the subject children upon a finding of permanent neglect, and committing the children's custody and guardianship to petitioner's agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purposes of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Marcia Egger, for Dependent.
Randall Carmel, for Respondent.
Ralph R. Carrieri, for Respondent-Appellant.
Before: Mazzarelli, J.P., Williams, Friedman, Gonzalez, JJ.
The finding of permanent neglect is supported by clear and convincing evidence that respondent failed to complete a drug rehabilitation program before the filing of the petition, despite the agency's diligent efforts to help him do so ( see Matter of Natajha Starr M., 204 A.D.2d 232, lv denied 84 N.Y.2d 806). Nor is a suspended judgment warranted by evidence that respondent no longer uses drugs. At the dispositional hearing, there was ample evidence that the children were thriving in the foster home they have lived in for virtually their entire respective lives, and no evidence as to how respondent planned to provide them with an adequate and stable home ( see Matter of Michael B., 80 N.Y.2d 299, 310-311; Matter of Latasha W., 268 A.D.2d 340).
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.