Opinion
2013-10-24
In re NASIR LEVON L., A Dependent Child Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Ashley Bernadette B., Respondent–Appellant, Jewish Child Care Association of New York, Petitioner–Respondent.
Tennille M. Tatum–Evans, New York, for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Tennille M. Tatum–Evans, New York, for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (John A. Newbery of counsel), attorney for the child.
ANDRIAS, J.P., FRIEDMAN, ACOSTA, DeGRASSE, FREEDMAN, JJ.
Order, Family Court, New York County (Clark V. Richardson, J.), entered on or about September 27, 2011, which denied respondent mother's motion to vacate orders of fact finding and disposition, same court and Judge, entered on or about August 1, 2011, determining that she permanently neglected the subject child, terminating her parental rights, and committing the custody and guardianship of the child to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Respondent failed to demonstrate a reasonable excuse for her default and a meritorious defense to the petition ( seeCPLR 5015[a][1]; Matter of Tyieyanna L. [Twanya McK.], 94 A.D.3d 494, 941 N.Y.S.2d 498 [1st Dept.2012] ). Her delay in obtaining a mental health treatment discharge report until the day she had to appear in court, and alleged public transportation difficulties on that same day, do not establish a reasonable excuse for the failure to appear, especially as respondent does not claim that she was unfamiliar with the public transportation system or had not previously used it to travel to Family Court ( see Matter of Christian E., 66 A.D.3d 433, 887 N.Y.S.2d 18 [1st Dept.2009]; Matter of Male H., 179 A.D.2d 384, 577 N.Y.S.2d 409 [1st Dept.1992], lv. dismissed in part and denied in part79 N.Y.2d 1026, 584 N.Y.S.2d 438, 594 N.E.2d 932 [1992] ).
There is no evidence that respondent completed the mental health treatment program called for in her service plan within the relevant one-year period so as to demonstrate a meritorious defense to the allegations of permanent neglect. The program discharge summary submitted by respondent states that she was inconsistent and noncompliant with treatment, had no interest in treatment, and terminated treatment of her own accord ( see Matter of Tyieyanna L., 94 A.D.3d at 494, 941 N.Y.S.2d 498).