Opinion
2016–09832 2016–09834 2016–09836 Docket Nos. B–18264–14 B–18265–14 B–18266–14
02-14-2018
In the MATTER OF TYSHAUN M.M. (Anonymous), etc. MercyFirst, respondent; v. Niamih M. (Anonymous), appellant. (Proceeding No. 1) In the Matter of Anastasia R.D. (Anonymous), etc. MercyFirst, respondent; v. Niamih M. (Anonymous), appellant. (Proceeding No. 2) In the Matter of Adrian D.D. (Anonymous), etc. MercyFirst, respondent; v. Niamih M. (Anonymous), appellant. (Proceeding No. 3)
Kenneth M. Tuccillo, Hastings–on–Hudson, NY, for appellant. Warren & Warren, P.C., Brooklyn, N.Y. (Ira L. Eras of counsel), for respondent. Ralph R. Carrieri, Mineola, NY, attorney for the children.
Kenneth M. Tuccillo, Hastings–on–Hudson, NY, for appellant.
Warren & Warren, P.C., Brooklyn, N.Y. (Ira L. Eras of counsel), for respondent.
Ralph R. Carrieri, Mineola, NY, attorney for the children.
SHERI S. ROMAN, J.P., HECTOR D. LASALLE, FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY, LINDA CHRISTOPHER, JJ.
DECISION & ORDERAppeals from three orders of fact-finding and disposition of the Family Court, Kings County (Ilana Gruebel, J.) (one as to each child), all dated July 28, 2016. The orders, after fact-finding and dispositional hearings, found that the mother had permanently neglected the subject children and transferred the guardianship and custody of the children to the Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services of the City of New York and MercyFirst for the purpose of adoption.
ORDERED that the orders of fact-finding and disposition are affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
The appellant (hereinafter the mother) is the mother of three children: Tyshaun, born in 2004, and Anastasia and Adrian, born in 2008. All three children were placed with the Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services (hereinafter the Commissioner) on July 28, 2011, and placed with MercyFirst (hereinafter the petitioner) on the same day for foster care. In 2014, the petitioner filed petitions to terminate the mother's parental rights with respect to each of the children.
The Family Court properly found that the petitioner established by clear and convincing evidence that the mother permanently neglected the children (see Social Services Law § 384–b[7][a] ). The petitioner presented evidence that it made diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship by, inter alia, providing the mother with referrals to various drug treatment programs (see Matter of Jemel M.A. [Elizabeth C.B.A.], 122 A.D.3d 622, 623, 994 N.Y.S.2d 544 ; Matter of Elijah D.W. [Tamica S.E.], 118 A.D.3d 812, 813, 987 N.Y.S.2d 203 ; Matter of Amonte M. [Mary M.], 112 A.D.3d 937, 938, 977 N.Y.S.2d 90 ). Despite these efforts, the mother failed over several years to address the primary obstacle to her reunification with the children by completing a drug treatment program (see Matter of Chanel C. [Vanessa N.] , 118 A.D.3d 826, 827–828, 988 N.Y.S.2d 75 ; Matter of John M. [Raymond K.] , 82 A.D.3d 1100, 1100–1101, 919 N.Y.S.2d 346 ; Matter of Malen Sansa V. [Nancy J.], 70 A.D.3d 707, 708, 894 N.Y.S.2d 98 ; Matter of Jada Ta–Toneyia L., 66 A.D.3d 901, 902, 886 N.Y.S.2d 640 ; Matter of Fatima G., 64 A.D.3d 653, 654, 883 N.Y.S.2d 128 ).
Contrary to the mother's contention, there is no evidence in the record that the Family Court either prejudged the case, or applied incorrect legal standards in rendering its dispositional order. Similarly, the court properly considered the current special needs of Tyshaun, and the lack of feasibility of the alternative placement proposed by the mother. Furthermore, the court properly determined that it was in the best interests of the children to transfer the custody and guardianship of the children to the Commissioner and the petitioner (see Matter of Clair E.F. [Benjamin F.–Karen M.], 122 A.D.3d 847, 847, 996 N.Y.S.2d 705 ; Matter of Darryl A.H. [Olga Z.], 109 A.D.3d 824, 825, 971 N.Y.S.2d 134 ; Matter of W.J. [B.J.], 99 A.D.3d 711, 712, 951 N.Y.S.2d 238 ; Matter of Kyshawn F. [Nellie M.–F.], 95 A.D.3d 883, 885, 944 N.Y.S.2d 184 ; Matter of Anthony R. [Juliann A.], 90 A.D.3d 1055, 1055, 937 N.Y.S.2d 72 ).
ROMAN, J.P., LASALLE, CONNOLLY and CHRISTOPHER, JJ., concur.