| Matter of W.J. (B.J.) |
| 2012 NY Slip Op 06605 [99 AD3d 711] |
| October 3, 2012 |
| Appellate Division, Second Department |
| In the Matter of W.J., an Infant. Rockland County Department ofSocial Services, Respondent; B.J., Appellant. (Proceeding No. 1.) In the Matter of A.J., an Infant.Rockland County Department of Social Services, Respondent; B.J., Appellant. (Proceeding No.2.) (And Two Related Proceedings.) |
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Harvey A. Eilbaum, New City, N.Y., attorney for the children.
In related proceedings pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b to terminate parentalrights on the ground of permanent neglect, the father appeals, as limited by his brief, from somuch of an order of fact-finding and disposition of the Family Court, Rockland County(Edwards, J.), dated August 15, 2011, as, after fact-finding and dispositional hearings, found thathe permanently neglected the subject children, terminated his parental rights, and transferred thecustody and guardianship of the children to the Rockland County Department of Social Servicesfor the purpose of adoption.
Ordered that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
Contrary to the father's contention, the Family Court properly determined that the petitionerestablished, by clear and convincing evidence, that it exercised diligent efforts to encourage andstrengthen the parental relationship by, among other things, attempting to help him find adequatehousing and referring him to parenting classes and therapy (see Social Services Law§ 384-b [7]; Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 NY2d 136, 142 [1984]). Despite thoseefforts, the father failed to plan for the future of the children by failing to complete the necessaryprograms and failing to take steps to acquire appropriate housing (see Matter of Beyonce H. [BaranacaH.], 85 AD3d 1168 [2011]). Accordingly, the Family Court properly found that thefather permanently neglected the children.[*2]
Furthermore, the Family Court properly determined that itwas in the best interests of the children to terminate the father's parental rights, thus freeing thechildren for adoption by their foster parents (see Matter of Anthony R. [Juliann A.], 90 AD3d 1055 [2011]).Angiolillo, J.P., Florio, Belen and Roman, JJ., concur.