Opinion
2014-05-22
In re SERENITY A., A Dependent Child Under Eighteen Years of Age, etc., Katrina A., Respondent–Appellant, Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, Petitioner–Respondent, Administration for Children's Services, Petitioner.
Carol Kahn, New York, for appellant. John R. Eyerman, New York, for respondent.
Carol Kahn, New York, for appellant.John R. Eyerman, New York, for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Diane Pazar of counsel), attorney for the child.
, J.P., RICHTER, MANZANET–DANIELS, GISCHE, JJ.
Order, Family Court, New York County (Susan K. Knipps, J.), entered on or about February 19, 2013, which granted petitioner agency's motion to revoke the suspended judgment entered on or about April 14, 2011, and terminated respondent's parental rights, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
A preponderance of the evidence supports the court's finding that respondent violated the terms of the suspended judgment ( seeFamily Court Act § 633 [f]; Matter of Aliyah Careema D. [Sophia Seku D.], 88 A.D.3d 529, 930 N.Y.S.2d 579 [1st Dept.2011] ). While respondent made efforts to comply with some of the terms of the suspended judgment, she failed to visit the child regularly for several months and failed to obtain suitable housing ( see Matter of Dayjore Isaiah M. [Dominique Shaniqua M.], 109 A.D.3d 745, 972 N.Y.S.2d 10 [1st Dept.2013];Matter of Gianna W. [Jessica S.], 96 A.D.3d 545, 946 N.Y.S.2d 172 [1st Dept.2012] ). She also failed to submit to therapy and random drug testing ( see Matter of Tony H. [Gwendolyn H.], 68 A.D.3d 439, 890 N.Y.S.2d 492 [1st Dept.2009] ).
A preponderance of the evidence supports the finding that it was in the child's best interest to be freed for adoption by the foster mother, who has cared for her and her siblings for years ( see Matter of Sjuqwan Anthony Zion Perry M. [Charnise Antonia M.], 111 A.D.3d 473, 474, 975 N.Y.S.2d 387 [1st Dept.2013],lv. denied22 N.Y.3d 864, 2014 N.Y. Slip Op. 68068, 2014 WL 1281926 [2014] ).