Opinion
2001-04938, 2001-04947, 2001-04949, 2001-04951, 2001-04952
Argued June 17, 2002
July 30, 2002.
In five related proceedings pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b to terminate parental rights on the ground of permanent neglect, the mother appeals, as limited by her brief, from so much of five orders of disposition (one as to each child) of the Family Court, Suffolk County (Simeone, J.), two entered May 3, 2001, and three entered May 4, 2001, as, after fact-finding and dispositional hearings, found that she permanently neglected her five children, terminated her parental rights with respect to each of the children, and transferred custody and guardianship rights of the children to the Suffolk County Department of Social Services for the purposes of adoption. The appeals bring up for review the joint fact-finding order of the same court, dated February 13, 2001.
Deirdre M. Butterfield, Huntington, N.Y., for appellant.
Robert J. Cimino, County Attorney, Central Islip, N.Y. (Randall J. Ratje of counsel), for respondent.
Mark A. Peterson, Smithtown, N.Y., Law Guardian for the children.
Before: ANITA R. FLORIO, J.P., SONDRA MILLER, SANDRA L. TOWNES, BARRY A. COZIER, JJ.
DECISION ORDER
ORDERED that the orders of disposition are affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.
Keeping in mind that the Family Court's findings, particularly as to the credibility, character, and temperament of the parent and other witnesses, are to be accorded great deference (see Matter of Celenia R., 264 A.D.2d 737, 738), we find that the evidence adduced at the fact-finding hearing supports the Family Court's finding of permanent neglect. The presentment agency established by clear and convincing evidence that it made diligent attempts to strengthen the parent-child relationship, and that despite its efforts, the mother failed to plan for the future of the children (see Social Services Law § 384-b; Matter of Sheila G., 61 N.Y.2d 368; Matter of La'Quan De'Vota H., 259 A.D.2d 486, 487; Matter of Alicia Shante H., 245 A.D.2d 509, 510; cf. Matter of Dutchess County Dept. of Social Servs., 181 A.D.2d 824).
FLORIO, J.P., S. MILLER, TOWNES and COZIER, JJ., concur.