Opinion
2011-12-6
In re ANAYA MICHELLE L., A Child Under the Age of Eighteen Years etc.,Ronald Shamel L., Respondent–Appellant,Leake and Watts Services, Inc., Petitioner–Respondent.
Michael S. Bromberg, Sag Harbor, for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Michael S. Bromberg, Sag Harbor, for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Law Offices of Ava G. Gutfriend, Bronx (Ava G. Gutfriend of counsel), attorney for the child.
Order of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Carol Ann Stokinger, J.), entered on or about January 5, 2010, which, upon a fact-finding determination of permanent neglect made at inquest upon respondent father's default, terminated the father's parental rights to the subject child and committed custody and guardianship of the child to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The record reflects that respondent received meaningful representation from his counsel throughout the proceedings. Moreover, respondent has failed to show that his counsel's performance was deficient and that the deficiency prejudiced him ( People v. Benevento, 91 N.Y.2d 708, 712–713, 674 N.Y.S.2d 629, 697 N.E.2d 584 [1998]; Matter of Aaron Tyrell W., 58 A.D.3d 419, 870 N.Y.S.2d 301 [2009] ). Although respondent's counsel was not present for the fact-finding hearing, he excused himself only after the court denied his request for an adjournment due to respondent's failure to appear. Respondent has not presented any excuse, let alone a reasonable excuse, for his default or a meritorious defense ( Matter of Nikeerah S., 69 A.D.3d 421, 893 N.Y.S.2d 27 [2010] ).