Opinion
7630
11-15-2018
IN RE BIANCA J.N., a Dependent Child Under Eighteen Years of Age, etc., Swevia C.N., Respondent–Appellant, v. Catholic Guardian Services, Petitioner–Respondent.
Law Office of Thomas R. Villecco, P.C., Jericho (Thomas R. Villecco of counsel), for appellant. Magovern & Sclafani, Mineola (Joanna M. Roberson of counsel), for respondent. Dawne A. Mitchell, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Patricia Colella of counsel), attorney for the child.
Law Office of Thomas R. Villecco, P.C., Jericho (Thomas R. Villecco of counsel), for appellant.
Magovern & Sclafani, Mineola (Joanna M. Roberson of counsel), for respondent.
Dawne A. Mitchell, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Patricia Colella of counsel), attorney for the child.
Acosta, P.J., Friedman, Manzanet–Daniels, Webber, Singh, JJ.
A preponderance of the evidence supports the finding that termination of the mother's parental rights was in the 13–year–old child's best interests (see Matter of Star Leslie W. , 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824 [1984] ). Although the child previously expressed that she opposed adoption, this Court may take into consideration her current wishes to be adopted by her long-term foster mother (see Matter of Michael B. , 80 N.Y.2d 299, 318, 590 N.Y.S.2d 60, 604 N.E.2d 122 [1992] ; Matter of Teshana Tracey T. [Janet T.] , 71 A.D.3d 1032, 1034, 896 N.Y.S.2d 470 [2d Dept. 2010], lv denied 14 N.Y.3d 713, 2010 WL 2301699 [2010] ). In any event, notwithstanding the child's previous opposition and the possibility that the foster mother would not be willing to adopt, termination of parental rights to free the child for possible adoption was in the child's best interests, following over 10 years of failed attempts at reunification with the mother while the child was thriving in foster care (see Matter of Isaac Ansimeon F. [Mark P.] , 128 A.D.3d 486, 9 N.Y.S.3d 232 [1st Dept. 2015] ; Matter of Kadija Tempie M. [Terry M.] , 67 A.D.3d 555, 888 N.Y.S.2d 399 [1st Dept. 2009] ). The court carefully weighed the child's wishes and the evidence of the mother's failure to complete services intended to address the issues that led to the child's placement and the finding of permanent neglect. The mother had a long history of mental illness, which had resulted in psychiatric hospitalizations partially due to her refusal to take prescribed medication, had threatened to burn down the foster home where the child resides, and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the seriousness of her behavior by ignoring the order of protection against her.
A suspended judgment would not have been appropriate because there is no evidence that further delay would result in a different outcome (see Matter of Iasha Tameeka McL. [Herbert McL.] , 135 A.D.3d 601, 602, 24 N.Y.S.3d 594 [1st Dept. 2016] ).