Opinion
2014-03-6
In re CHARISMA D., and Another, Dependent Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Sandra R., Respondent–Appellant, Administration for Children's Services, Petitioner–Respondent.
Tennile M. Tatum–Evans, New York, for appellant. Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Pamela Seider Dolgow of counsel), for respondent.
Tennile M. Tatum–Evans, New York, for appellant. Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Pamela Seider Dolgow of counsel), for respondent.
Karen Freedman, Lawyers for Children, New York (Shirim Nothenberg of counsel), attorney for the child Charisma D.
Geanine Towers, P.C., Brooklyn (Geanine Towers of counsel), attorney for the child Jason T.
Order of disposition, Family Court, New York County (Susan K. Knipps, J.), entered on or about June 20, 2012, which, insofar as appealed from as limited by the briefs, brings up for review a fact-finding determination that the mother neglected her children, Charisma D. and Jason T., by leaving them without any advance notice or provisions for their care with their maternal grandmother, who was an inappropriate caretaker, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
A preponderance of the evidence supports the Family Court's finding of neglect due to inadequate supervision, as the mother left the subject children, at the time aged eight and three, with her own mother, who she knew, or reasonably should have known, to be an inappropriate caregiver ( see Matter of Lashina P., 52 A.D.3d 293, 294, 859 N.Y.S.2d 443 [1st Dept.2008] ). Among other things, the mother conceded in prior proceedings that she knew the maternal grandmother had used illegal drugs and kept them in her home ( see 67 A.D.3d 404, 405, 889 N.Y.S.2d 13 [1st Dept.2009] ). Further, the mother knew that the maternal grandmother was attending a methadone treatment program each day from the morning until the afternoon, yet made no provision for the children's care during those extended periods ( see Matter of Annalize P. [Angie D.], 78 A.D.3d 413, 414, 911 N.Y.S.2d 291 [1st Dept.2010];Matter of Serenity P. [Shameka P.], 74 A.D.3d 1855, 1856, 902 N.Y.S.2d 741 [4th Dept.2010] ). The mother also failed to make provision for the children to have adequate food and health care while they were with the maternal grandmother ( see Matter of Clarissa S.P. [Jaris S.], 91 A.D.3d 785, 785, 939 N.Y.S.2d 466 [2d Dept.2012];Matter of Joseph DD., 214 A.D.2d 794, 795–796, 624 N.Y.S.2d 476 [3d Dept.1995] ). Additionally, after the mother learned that the maternal grandmother had left the children with their respective paternal grandmothers, she failed to provide them with her contact information, and failed to communicate with the children for a substantial period of time ( see Matter of Victor V., 261 A.D.2d 479, 480, 690 N.Y.S.2d 129 [2d Dept.1999],lv. denied93 N.Y.2d 819, 697 N.Y.S.2d 566, 719 N.E.2d 927 [1999] ).
There is no basis to disturb the Family Court's credibility determinations ( see Matter of Deivi R. [Marcos R.], 68 A.D.3d 498, 499, 890 N.Y.S.2d 52 [1st Dept.2009] ). MAZZARELLI, J.P., SWEENY, RENWICK, FREEDMAN, GISCHE, JJ., concur.