Opinion
May 7, 1996
Appeal from the Family Court, New York County (Sara Schechter, J.).
Petitioner agency met its burden of showing by clear and convincing evidence that despite its diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship, including, among other things, attempting to find an alternative resource for the children, bringing the children to visit respondent in prison, attempting to keep respondent abreast of the children's lives, and attempting to find a therapist to treat respondent on an individual basis, respondent failed to maintain contact with and plan for the children in that, among other things, he did not arrange alternative living arrangements for the children while he was in prison, and he did not even begin to correct the psychological problems underlying his criminal record for attempted rape that led to the removal of the children ( see, Matter of Omar Garry G., 198 A.D.2d 149, lv denied 83 N.Y.2d 753; Matter of Charles Frederick Eugene M., 171 A.D.2d 343, appeal dismissed 79 N.Y.2d 977; Matter of Sonia H., 177 A.D.2d 575).
Concur — Ellerin, J.P., Wallach, Ross, Nardelli and Tom, JJ.