Opinion
2012-01-12
In re TANISHA SHABAZZ A., etc., A Dependent Child Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc.,Latisha G., etc., Respondent–Appellant,SCO Family Services, Petitioner–Respondent.
Elisa Barnes, New York, for appellant. Carrieri & Carrieri, P.C., Mineola (Ralph R. Carrieri of counsel), for respondent.
Elisa Barnes, New York, for appellant. Carrieri & Carrieri, P.C., Mineola (Ralph R. Carrieri of counsel), for respondent.
Pierre Janvier, Bronx, attorney for the child.
Order of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Gayle P. Roberts, J.), entered on or about September 8, 2010, which, upon fact-findings of permanent neglect and abandonment, terminated respondent mother's parental rights to the subject child and committed the child's custody and guardianship to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The finding of abandonment is supported by clear and convincing evidence, including petitioner agency's case record and testimony, which at best shows only “[s]poradic and minimal attempts to visit and communicate with the child” during the relevant time period ( Matter of Latoya P., 305 A.D.2d 263, 758 N.Y.S.2d 804 [2003], lv. denied 100 N.Y.2d 508, 764 N.Y.S.2d 385, 796 N.E.2d 477 [2003] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Social Services Law § 384–b[4][b], [5][a] ).
Petitioner demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that the child was permanently neglected within the meaning of Social Services Law § 384–b(7)(a). Contrary to respondent's contention, petitioner made diligent efforts to strengthen and encourage the parent-child relationship by, among other things, formulating a service plan, scheduling visits with the child, and referring respondent to parenting training, mental health services, family therapy and individual counseling (§ 384–b[7][f] ). Despite these efforts, respondent failed to stay in contact with the agency and comply with its plan, visit the child on a regular basis, and attend any of the referred services ( see Matter of Byron Christopher Malik J., 309 A.D.2d 669, 765 N.Y.S.2d 874 [2003] ).
We have considered respondent's remaining contentions and find them unavailing.