IN RE: ZIAH X.C. (2019)

Orders of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Joan L. Piccirillo, J.), entered on or about March 15, 2018, which, inter alia, upon findings of permanent neglect, terminated respondent father's parental rights to the subject children, and committed custody and guardianship of the children to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

The determination that the agency exercised diligent efforts to support reunification of the father with the children was supported by clear and convincing evidence (see Social Services Law § 384–b[7] ).  The agency provided the father with a service plan and referrals tailored to his needs, including a parenting program for special needs children, marriage and individual counseling, as well as domestic violence counseling.  Despite his completion of the recommended services, the father was unable to demonstrate the necessary parenting skills and failed to adequately plan for the children because of his inability to separate from the mother, who continued to suffer from untreated alcoholism (see Matter of Leroy Simpson M. [Joanne M.], 122 A.D.3d 480, 996 N.Y.S.2d 271 [1st Dept. 2014];  Matter of Kie Asia T. [Shaneene T.], 89 A.D.3d 528, 933 N.Y.S.2d 224 [1st Dept. 2011];  Matter of John G., Jr. [John G.], 70 A.D.3d 419, 895 N.Y.S.2d 40 [1st Dept. 2010] ).

A preponderance of the evidence supports the determination that termination of the father's parental rights was in the best interests of the children (see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147–148, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824 [1984] ).  A suspended judgment was not warranted under the circumstances, given the father's lack of insight into the children's special needs and his own behavior, and his decision to move three hours away from them.  The children have lived with the foster mother for most of their lives, have bonded with her, and she is equipped to handle their special needs and wishes to adopt them (see Matter of Angelica D. [Deborah D.], 157 A.D.3d 587, 69 N.Y.S.3d 312 [1st Dept. 2018] ).

We have considered the father's remaining contentions and find them unavailing.