Opinion
November 13, 2001.
Orders, Family Court, Bronx County (Paul Grosvenor, J.), entered on or about April 1, 1997, which, upon a finding of permanent neglect, terminated respondent-appellant father's parental rights to the subject children and committed the custody and guardianship of the children to petitioner Louise Wise Services and the Commissioner of Social Services, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Diane Pazar, for Jaquone Emiel B.
Azra Rayches Feldman, for respondent-appellant.
Douglas H. Reiniger, for petitioner-respondent.
Before: Rosenberger, J.P., Tom, Rubin, Buckley, Marlow, JJ.
The record establishes that petitioner agency made diligent efforts to help respondent reunite with his children (see, Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 142-143). Clear and convincing evidence supports the court's finding that respondent failed to cooperate with the agency's efforts to schedule visitation, provide counseling, employment referrals and suggestions as to housing. Moreover, respondent consistently refused to separate from the children's mother, who actively used drugs and caused the removal of the children in the first instance (see, Matter of Charlene Lashay J., 280 A.D.2d 320; Matter of Kimberly Rosemarie S., 211 A.D.2d 594, lv denied 85 N.Y.2d 809). Since respondent failed to separate from the children's mother, secure a stable income or visit the children regularly, termination of respondent's parental rights for the purposes of adoption is clearly in the best interests of the children.
Petitioner's case records were properly received in evidence. Prior to their admission, respondent's counsel received a suitable opportunity to review the records and to object to any portions constituting inadmissable hearsay (see, Matter of Leon RR., 48 N.Y.2d 117, 122-123), but no such objections were made and there is no indication that the records contained any inadmissible material.
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.