IN RE: KEVIN X. (2020)

Order, Family Court, New York County (Jane Pearl, J.), entered on or about September 5, 2018, which, inter alia, upon a finding of permanent neglect, terminated respondent father's parental rights to the subject child and committed custody and guardianship of the child to petitioner agency and the Administration for Children's Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

The finding of permanent neglect is supported by clear and convincing evidence that the agency made diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship by devising and communicating an appropriate service plan for the father, which included referring him to mental health services and dyadic counseling with the child (Social Services Law § 384–b[7][f]; Matter of Frank Enrique S. [Karina Elizabeth F.], 168 A.D.3d 539, 540, 92 N.Y.S.3d 241 [1st Dept. 2019]). Despite the agency's efforts, including encouraging the father to commence individual and family therapy with the child, making referrals, scheduling appointments and accompanying him to the meetings with the service providers, the father failed to comply with the referrals by attending dyadic therapy, a key component to his reunification plan (Matter of Zariah M.E. [Alexys T.], 171 A.D.3d 607, 96 N.Y.S.3d 855 [1st Dept. 2019]).

A preponderance of the evidence supports the determination that termination of the father's parental rights was in the best interests of the child (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 appropriate, given the father's repeated failure to engage in mental health services, both individually and with the child, his limited visits with the child, and the fact that the child's needs are being met in his foster home, where he resides with his half-sister and has bonded with the foster family, which shares the same background and wishes to adopt him (Matter of Tion Lavon J. [Saadiasha J.], 159 A.D.3d 579, 580, 73 N.Y.S.3d 48 [1st Dept. 2018]).