From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

Matter of Clarence

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Mar 23, 1995
213 A.D.2d 294 (N.Y. App. Div. 1995)

Opinion

March 23, 1995

Appeal from the Family Court, New York County (Sara Schechter, J.).


The Family Court properly found that respondent failed to visit or communicate with her children or contact the subject agency for a period in excess of six months prior to the filing of the petition, thus giving rise to a presumption of abandonment (Matter of Amanda Maying J., 208 A.D.2d 398). Respondent failed to rebut this presumption. Her testimony regarding telephoning the children and sending them birthday cards on one occasion lacked credibility, and the testimony of respondent's witness was contradicted by respondent herself. In matters of credibility, the findings of the hearing court must be accorded great respect (Matter of Irene O., 38 N.Y.2d 776, 777). Moreover, respondent's testimony that she was discouraged from visiting the children by their foster mother was also incredible and we see no reason to disturb the findings of the hearing court.

The testimony at the dispositional hearing established that the best interests of the children required termination of parental rights. The children have lived with their foster mother (their maternal aunt) for four and one-half years and have formed a strong bond with her. While respondent appears to have made certain improvements in her life, she does not appear to have any real relationship with the children, nor has she been involved with the children in any meaningful way for a long period of time. There is no presumption that a child's best interests will be best served by return to the natural parent (Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147-148).

Concur — Rosenberger, J.P., Wallach, Kupferman, Asch and Tom, JJ.


Summaries of

Matter of Clarence

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Mar 23, 1995
213 A.D.2d 294 (N.Y. App. Div. 1995)
Case details for

Matter of Clarence

Case Details

Full title:In the Matter of CHARLES CLARENCE C. and Others, Children Alleged to be…

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department

Date published: Mar 23, 1995

Citations

213 A.D.2d 294 (N.Y. App. Div. 1995)
623 N.Y.S.2d 876

Citing Cases

Matter of Laura Monique L

We agree with Family Court that petitioner agency proved by clear and convincing evidence, including the…

Matter of Kawari Claude C

2, 1996, no appeal was taken therefrom, and no circumstances are present warranting that the appeal from the…