Opinion
16735A 16735
01-21-2016
In re IASHA TAMEEKA McL., and Others., Dependent Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Herbert McL., Respondent–Appellant, Catholic Guardian Services, Petitioner–Respondent.
Douglas H. Reiniger, New York, for appellant. Magovern & Sclafani, Mineola (Joanna M. Roberson of counsel), for respondent. Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Jess Rao of counsel), attorney for the children.
Douglas H. Reiniger, New York, for appellant.
Magovern & Sclafani, Mineola (Joanna M. Roberson of counsel), for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Jess Rao of counsel), attorney for the children.
Opinion
Orders of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Karen I. Lupuloff, J.), entered on or about August 19, 2014, which, upon findings of permanent neglect, terminated respondent father's parental rights to the subject children and committed custody and guardianship of the children to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The findings of permanent neglect were supported by clear and convincing evidence (see Social Services Law § 384–b7[a] ). Notwithstanding petitioner's diligent efforts, the father failed to plan for the children's future by neither acknowledging nor meaningfully addressing the conditions that led to the children's removal in the first instance, namely, the underlying sexual abuse of another older daughter (not one of the subject children) (see Matter of Gloria Melanie S., 47 A.D.3d 438, 850 N.Y.S.2d 46 1st Dept.2008; see also Matter of Myles N., 49 A.D.3d 381, 854 N.Y.S.2d 353 1st Dept.2008, lv. denied 11 N.Y.3d 709, 868 N.Y.S.2d 601, 897 N.E.2d 1085 2008 ).
A preponderance of the evidence supports the determination that it was in the children's best interests to terminate the father's parental rights and enable the foster parents to adopt the children. The record shows that the foster parents wished to adopt the children, have provided a loving and stable home, and have met the children's special needs (see Matter of Isis M. [Deeanna C.], 114 A.D.3d 480, 481, 980 N.Y.S.2d 408 1st Dept.2014; see also Matter of Jaelyn Hennesy F. [Jose F.], 113 A.D.3d 411, 978 N.Y.S.2d 154 1st Dept.2014 ).
The father's continued failure to complete a sex offender program and meaningfully address his deviant sexual behavior, as well as the evidence that the children would not be safe in his care, demonstrates that a suspended judgment would not have been an appropriate dispositional alternative (see generally Matter of Michael B., 80 N.Y.2d 299, 311, 590 N.Y.S.2d 60, 604 N.E.2d 122 1992 ).
We have considered the father's remaining contentions, including that the court was biased against him in favor of the agency, and find them unavailing.