Opinion
2013-01-15
In re ROSIE SHAMEKA S.R., A Dependent Child Under Eighteen Years of Age, etc., Tulip S.R., etc., Respondent–Appellant, Children's Aid Society, etc., Petitioner–Respondent.
Carol Kahn, New York, for appellant. Rosin Steinhagen Mendel, New York (Douglas H. Reiniger of counsel), for respondent.
Carol Kahn, New York, for appellant. Rosin Steinhagen Mendel, New York (Douglas H. Reiniger of counsel), for respondent.
Karen Freedman, Lawyers for Children, New York (Shirim Nothenberg of counsel), attorney for the child.
SAXE, J.P., RENWICK, FREEDMAN, ROMÁN, GISCHE, JJ.
Order, Family Court, New York County (Rhoda J. Cohen, J.), entered on or about May 3, 2012, which, upon a fact-finding determination that respondent mother suffers from a mental illness, terminated her parental rights and transferred custody and guardianship of the child to petitioner Children's Aid Society for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The uncontroverted medical evidence provided clear and convincing evidence that respondent is presently and for the foreseeable future unable, by reason of mental illness, to provide proper and adequate care for her daughter ( seeSocial Services Law § 384–b[4][c]; Matter of Joyce T., 65 N.Y.2d 39, 489 N.Y.S.2d 705, 478 N.E.2d 1306 [1985];Matter of Michele Amanda N. [Elizabeth N.], 93 A.D.3d 610, 611, 941 N.Y.S.2d 558 [1st Dept. 2012] ). Petitioner submitted unrebutted expert testimony that respondent suffers from a chronic major depressive disorder that prevents her from understanding how her behavior is harmful to her daughter, as well the testifying psychiatrist's report, which was prepared after a two hour interview with respondent and a review of her records. In addition, petitioner submitted a report from a psychologist who had also interviewed respondent, reviewed her medical records, and conducted psychological testing, which concluded that she suffers from depressive disorder and personality disorder and poses an ongoing risk to the subject child.