Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
IN RE: TY'KEITH R. Onondaga County Department of Social Services, Petitioner-Respondent; Byron R., Jr., Respondent-Appellant.
Respondent father appeals from an order terminating his parental rights based on a finding of permanent neglect and committing the guardianship and custody of his child to petitioner. We reject the father's contention that petitioner failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that it exercised diligent efforts to strengthen the parent-child relationship (see generally Matter of Sheila G., 61 N.Y.2d 368, 373, 380-381, 474 N.Y.S.2d 421, 462 N.E.2d 1139). In any event, pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b (7)(e)(ii), petitioner was not required to present such evidence. The father contends that petitioner did not meet its burden of establishing that he failed to plan for his child's future while he was incarcerated, thus rendering that section applicable (see § 384-b [7][c] ). We reject that contention. Because the father was subjected to disciplinary confinement for committing infractions while incarcerated, he was ineligible to participate in rehabilitation programs that petitioner recommended as part of a plan to reunite him with the child. Family Court therefore properly found that the father permanently neglected his child (see § 384-b [7][a], [c]; Matter of Anthony R., 239 A.D.2d 586, 657 N.Y.S.2d 209, lv. denied 90 N.Y.2d 808, 664 N.Y.S.2d 270, 686 N.E.2d 1365).
Finally, we reject the father's contention that the court erred in refusing to enter a suspended judgment and instead determined that the best interests of the child would be served by freeing him for adoption. The record establishes that the child “had no relationship with [the father], had bonded with [his] foster parent[s], and [was] in need of a stable, permanent solution” (Matter of Mark M., 267 A.D.2d 1045, 1046, 701 N.Y.S.2d 220; see generally Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147-148, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824).
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from be and the same hereby is unanimously affirmed without costs.
MEMORANDUM:
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Decided: November 09, 2007
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)