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Matter of ANTHONY C. Chautauqua County Department of Social Services, Petitioner–Respondent; Theresa W., Respondent–Appellant. (Appeal No. 1.)
Family Court properly granted the petitions seeking termination of respondent's parental rights. The court-appointed psychiatrist testified that respondent's condition of bipolar disorder is regulated by medication and would not adversely impact the ability of respondent to care for her children. He further testified, however, that respondent has a “personality disorder not otherwise specified”, which would prevent her from properly caring for the children. The psychiatrist testified that respondent's personality disorder is not amenable to treatment and is unlikely to improve, and he concluded that, if the children were returned to respondent, they would be in danger of becoming neglected children (see, Social Services Law § 384–b [6][a]; Matter of Jarred R., 236 A.D.2d 888, 889, 654 N.Y.S.2d 64). In addition, petitioner presented evidence regarding the children's psychological, emotional and behavioral problems. Thus, we conclude that petitioner “met its burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that respondent, by reason of mental illness, is presently and for the foreseeable future unable to provide proper and adequate care for her children” (Matter of Jarred R., supra, at 889, 654 N.Y.S.2d 64).
Order unanimously affirmed without costs.
MEMORANDUM:
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Decided: February 07, 2001
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
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