IN RE: ASHANA R. (Anonymous). (2026)

DECISION & ORDER

In a proceeding pursuant to Social Services Law § 384–b, the father appeals from an order of the Family Court, Orange County (Christine P. Krahulik, J.), dated December 12, 2024.  The order, after a hearing, found that the father violated the terms and conditions of a suspended judgment contained in an order of the same court dated November 21, 2023, lifted the suspended judgment, terminated the father's parental rights, and transferred custody and guardianship of the subject child to the Orange County Department of Social Services for the purpose of adoption.

ORDERED that the order dated December 12, 2024, is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

The Orange County Department of Social Services (hereinafter DSS) commenced this proceeding pursuant to Social Services Law § 384–b to terminate the father's parental rights to the subject child on the ground of permanent neglect.  In an order dated November 21, 2023, the Family Court found that the father permanently neglected the child and terminated the father's parental rights, but imposed a suspended judgment with certain terms and conditions.  Thereafter, DSS moved to find the father to be in violation of the terms and conditions of the suspended judgment, to lift the suspended judgment, and to terminate the father's parental rights.  After a hearing, in an order dated December 12, 2024, the court found that the father violated the terms and conditions of the suspended judgment, lifted the suspended judgment, terminated the father's parental rights, and transferred custody and guardianship of the child to DSS for the purpose of adoption.  The father appeals.

The Family Court may lift a suspended judgment after a hearing if it finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the parent failed to comply with one or more of the conditions of the suspended judgment (see Matter of Marish G. [Maria E.G.], 215 A.D.3d 966, 966, 188 N.Y.S.3d 119;  Matter of Derrick D.A. [Shavonna L.L.D.], 134 A.D.3d 928, 929, 22 N.Y.S.3d 472).  The court's credibility findings should be accorded great deference, as it had direct access to the parties and was in the best position to evaluate their testimony, character, and sincerity (see Matter of Derrick D.A. [Shavonna L.L.D.], 134 A.D.3d at 929, 22 N.Y.S.3d 472;  Matter of Christyn Ann D., 26 A.D.3d 491, 492, 811 N.Y.S.2d 94).  Here, the court properly found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the father failed to comply with several of the terms and conditions of the suspended judgment (see Matter of Hailey B. [Melissa B.], 152 A.D.3d 677, 678, 55 N.Y.S.3d 910;  Matter of Derrick D.A. [Shavonna L.L.D.], 134 A.D.3d at 929, 22 N.Y.S.3d 472).

Further, the evidence adduced at the hearing supported the Family Court's determination that it was in the child's best interests to terminate the father's parental rights and free the child for adoption (see Matter of William U.L. [Rachel D.H.], 139 A.D.3d 732, 733, 31 N.Y.S.3d 172;  Matter of Derrick D.A. [Shavonna L.L.D.], 134 A.D.3d at 929, 22 N.Y.S.3d 472).

The father's remaining contention is without merit.

DUFFY, J.P., CHRISTOPHER, WARHIT and GOLDBERG VELAZQUEZ, JJ., concur.