Opinion
2013-11-14
In re JAILEEN X.M., and Another, Dependent Children Under Eighteen Years of Age, etc., Annette M., et al., Respondents–Appellants, v. The Children's Aid Society, Petitioner–Respondent.
Law Offices of Randall S. Carmel, Syosset (Randall S. Carmel of counsel), for Annette M., appellant. Daniel R. Katz, New York, for Herve M., appellant.
Law Offices of Randall S. Carmel, Syosset (Randall S. Carmel of counsel), for Annette M., appellant. Daniel R. Katz, New York, for Herve M., appellant.
Rosin Steinhagen Mendel, New York (Douglas H. Reiniger of counsel), for respondent.
Michael S. Bromberg, Sag Harbor, attorney for the children.
TOM, J.P., MAZZARELLI, FREEDMAN, RICHTER, FEINMAN, JJ.
Orders of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Jeanette Ruiz, J.), entered on or about August 28, 2012, which, upon a fact-finding determination that respondents permanently neglected their children, terminated respondents' parental rights and transferred the custody and guardianship of the children to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of the Administration for Children Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The agency proved by clear and convincing evidence that it exercised diligent efforts to reunite respondents with their children and that, despite these efforts, respondents failed to submit to drug testing, and tested positive for narcotics during the statutory period ( seeSocial Services Law § 384–b[7][a], [f]; Matter of Jules S. [Julio S.], 96 A.D.3d 448, 449, 945 N.Y.S.2d 319 [1st Dept. 2012],lv. denied19 N.Y.3d 814, 955 N.Y.S.2d 552, 979 N.E.2d 813 [2012];Matter of Angelica G. [Frank G.], 74 A.D.3d 470, 901 N.Y.S.2d 833 [1st Dept. 2010];Matter of Dade Wynn F., 291 A.D.2d 218, 218, 737 N.Y.S.2d 346 [1st Dept. 2002],lv. denied98 N.Y.2d 604, 746 N.Y.S.2d 278, 773 N.E.2d 1016 [2002] ). Respondents also failed to complete their mental health evaluations and failed to address the anger management issues that interfered with their ability to care for the children ( see Matter of Alexis C. [Jacqueline A.], 99 A.D.3d 542, 542–543, 952 N.Y.S.2d 175 [1st Dept. 2012],lv. denied20 N.Y.3d 856, 959 N.Y.S.2d 691, 983 N.E.2d 770 [2013] ).
Despite the agency's twice referring them for parenting skills classes, respondents did not seem to improve or to gain insight into their children's special needs or the reasons for their placement in foster care. Indeed, the unsupervised visitation extended to respondents twice by the agency had to be suspended because the children were found with bruises and scratches, which respondents failed to adequately explain ( see Matter of Ashley R. [Latarsha R.], 103 A.D.3d 573, 962 N.Y.S.2d 71 [1st Dept. 2013],lv. denied21 N.Y.3d 857, 969 N.Y.S.2d 443, 991 N.E.2d 217 [2013] ). A caseworker testified that when the children returned from family visits, their clothing was stained and reeking of urine, and one of the children's diaper rash was more severe after the children were left in respondents' care ( see Matter of Brandon R. [Chrystal R.], 95 A.D.3d 653, 653, 945 N.Y.S.2d 23 [1st Dept. 2012],lv. denied20 N.Y.3d 998, 959 N.Y.S.2d 681, 983 N.E.2d 758 [2013] ).
While respondent mother contends that the agency failed to provide her with more assistance in overcoming her long battle with drug addiction, the record supports the court's finding that the mother ignored the agency's repeated efforts to reach out to her ( see Matter of Jabar H. [Gabrielle P.], 104 A.D.3d 440, 960 N.Y.S.2d 411, [1st Dept. 2013] ). In any event, the agency was not charged with guaranteeing respondent's success in overcoming her problems ( id.). The fact that respondents consistently visited with the children does not preclude a finding of permanent neglect, since clear and convincing evidence established that they failed to plan for their children's future by taking effective steps to correct the conditions leading to the children's removal or to advance a realistic, feasible plan ( see Matter of Nathaniel T., 67 N.Y.2d 838, 501 N.Y.S.2d 647, 492 N.E.2d 775 [1986];Matter of Jonathan Jose T., 44 A.D.3d 508, 843 N.Y.S.2d 326 [1st Dept. 2007] ).
A preponderance of the evidence supports the court's conclusion that it was in the best interests of the children to be freed for adoption ( see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147–148, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824 [1984];Matter of Mark Eric R. [Juelle Virginia G.], 80 A.D.3d 518, 915 N.Y.S.2d 262 [1st Dept. 2011] ). A suspended judgment is not warranted, since the children have been living for most of their lives with the foster mother, who is equipped to handle their special needs, and they are thriving in her care ( see Matter of Carol Anne Marie L. [Melissa L.], 74 A.D.3d 643, 903 N.Y.S.2d 383 [1st Dept. 2010] ). Contrary to respondents' contention, they offered no evidence of realistic plans for providing an adequate and stable home for the children ( see Matter of Rutherford Roderick T. [Rutherford R.T.], 4 A.D.3d 213, 772 N.Y.S.2d 49 [1st Dept. 2004] ). The children have spent six years in foster care, and should not be denied permanence through adoption so that respondents will have more time to demonstrate that they can be fit parents ( see Matter of Isabella Star G., 66 A.D.3d 536, 537, 887 N.Y.S.2d 77 [1st Dept. 2009] ).