Opinion
Submitted June 15, 2000
August 15, 2000.
In a proceeding pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b to terminate parental rights based upon permanent neglect, the mother appeals from an order of disposition of the Family Court, Kings County (Bogacz, J.), dated March 21, 1997, which, after a fact-finding hearing and upon a determination that she had neglected her son Travis Taylor W., terminated her parental rights and transferred custody and guardianship of her son to Community Maternity Services and the Commissioner of Social Services of the City of New York for purposes of adoption.
Jeannette W. (Anonymous), appellant; Commissioner of Social Services, et al., respondents.
Edward E. Caesar, Brooklyn, N.Y., for appellant.
Carrieri Carrieri, P.C., Mineola, N.Y. (Ralph R. Carrieri of counsel), for respondent Community Maternity Services.
Monica Drinane, New York, N.Y. (Raymond E. Rogers of counsel), Law Guardian for the child.
Before: FRED T. SANTUCCI, J.P., SONDRA MILLER, LEO F. McGINITY, NANCY E. SMITH, JJ.
DECISION ORDER
ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
The evidence adduced at the fact-finding hearing supports the finding of permanent neglect. The agency established by clear and convincing evidence that it made diligent attempts to strengthen the parent-child relationship, and that despite its encouragement, the mother failed to maintain contact with her son on a regular basis, and failed to plan for his future (see, Social Services Law § 384-b; Matter of Dept. of Social Servs. o/b/o Nicholas Douglas B., 254 A.D.2d 417).
The evidence further supports the Family Court's determination that the child's best interests would be served by terminating the mother`s parental rights and freeing him for adoption (see, Matter of Sheila G., 61 N.Y.2d 368; Matter of Dept. of Social Servs. o/b/o Nicholas Douglas B., supra, at 418).