Opinion
2014-01-7
In re JAELYN HENNESY F., A Dependent Child Under Eighteen Years of Age, etc., Jose F., Respondent–Appellant, Good Shepard Services, Petitioner–Respondent.
Geoffrey P. Berman, Larchmont, for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Geoffrey P. Berman, Larchmont, 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 (Diane Pazar of counsel), attorney for the child.
SWEENY, J.P., ACOSTA, SAXE, MOSKOWITZ, CLARK JJ.
Order, Family Court, Bronx County (Karen I. Lupuloff, J.), entered on or about December 18, 2012, which, upon a finding of permanent neglect, terminated respondent father's parental rights to the subject child and committed custody and guardianship of the child to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The finding of permanent neglect was supported by clear and convincing evidence ( seeSocial Services Law § 384–b[7][a] ). Petitioner agency exercised diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship by, among other things, assisting respondent in filling out applications for housing, reminding him of the importance of submitting the additional documents required to complete the applications, referring him for parenting skills and anger management programs, and scheduling visitation. Despite these efforts, respondent failed to plan for the child's future during the relevant time period. Indeed, respondent failed to obtain suitable housing, tested positive for opiates, and was arrested for selling narcotics shortly after the agency planned a trial release of the child to his care ( see Matter of Natasha Denise B. [Montricia Denise C.], 104 A.D.3d 457, 960 N.Y.S.2d 118 [1st Dept.2013] ).
A preponderance of the evidence shows that termination of respondent's parental rights was in the best interest of the child, who had been in foster care nearly her entire life, where she was well cared for ( see generally Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147–148, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824 [1984] ). A suspended judgment is not warranted, since respondent significantly delayed addressing the problems that remained unresolved at the time of disposition, including the failure to obtain suitable housing ( see Matter of Shaqualle Khalif W. [Denise W.], 96 A.D.3d 698, 947 N.Y.S.2d 116 [1st Dept.2012] ).