Opinion
2013-06-19
In the Matter of ANGELA SIMONE S. (Anonymous). Seaman's Society for Children and Families, petitioner-respondent; Simone M. (Anonymous), appellant, et al., respondent. (Proceeding No. 1). In the Matter of Kimberly M. (Anonymous). Seaman's Society for Children and Families, petitioner-respondent; Simone M. (Anonymous), appellant, et al., respondent. (Proceeding No. 2).
Helen Chowes, New York, N.Y., for appellant. John R. Eyerman, New York, N.Y., for petitioner-respondent.
Helen Chowes, New York, N.Y., for appellant. John R. Eyerman, New York, N.Y., for petitioner-respondent.
Steven Banks, New York, N.Y. (Judith D. Waksberg and Proskauer Rose LLP [Nayirie Kuyumjian], of counsel), attorney for the children.
MARK C. DILLON, J.P., DANIEL D. ANGIOLILLO, CHERYL E. CHAMBERS, and SYLVIA HINDS–RADIX, JJ.
In related proceedings pursuant to Social Services Law § 384–b to terminate parental rights on the ground of abandonment, the mother appeals, as limited by her brief, from so much of two orders of fact-finding and disposition (one as to each child) of the Family Court, Kings County (Turbow, J.), both dated February 7, 2012, as, after fact-finding and dispositional hearings, determined that she abandoned the subject children, terminated her parental rights, and transferred custody and guardianship of the subject children to the petitioner and the Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services of the City of New York for the purpose of adoption.
ORDERED that the orders of fact-finding and disposition are affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.
The petitioner established by clear and convincing evidence that the mother abandoned the subject children by failing to visit or communicate with them or the petitioning agency during the six-month period immediately prior to the date on which the petitions were filed ( seeSocial Services Law § 384–b [4][b]; 5[a]; Matter of Gabrielle HH., 1 N.Y.3d 549, 772 N.Y.S.2d 643, 804 N.E.2d 964;Matter of Mekhi Kahalil G., 99 A.D.3d 1003, 953 N.Y.S.2d 621;Matter of Donna E.J. [Fatima J.], 96 A.D.3d 746, 945 N.Y.S.2d 573). This lack of contact evinces the mother's intent to forego her parental rights ( see Matter of Gabrielle H.H., 1 N.Y.3d at 550, 772 N.Y.S.2d 643, 804 N.E.2d 964).
The mother's contention that her parental rights were improperly terminated because the petitioner failed to demonstratethat it engaged in diligent efforts to encourage her relationship with the children and to provide services to effect the same lacks merit. In the context of a proceeding to terminate parental rights on the ground of abandonment, a showing of diligent efforts by an authorized agency to encourage the parent to visit and communicate with the child or agency is not required ( seeSocial Services Law § 384–b[5][b]; Matter of Gabrielle HH., 1 N.Y.3d at 550, 772 N.Y.S.2d 643, 804 N.E.2d 964;Matter of Julius P., 63 N.Y.2d 477, 481, 483 N.Y.S.2d 175, 472 N.E.2d 1003;Matter of Xtacys Nayarie M. [Jose Ruben M.], 74 A.D.3d 970, 901 N.Y.S.2d 856).
The mother's remaining contentions are without merit.