IN RE: ELIZABETH SUSANNA R. (Anonymous) (2004)

In three related proceedings pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b to terminate parental rights on the ground of abandonment, the father appeals from three orders of disposition of the Family Court, Kings County (Lim, J.), all dated June 23, 2003 (one as to each child), which, after a joint fact-finding hearing, and upon an order of fact-finding of the same court dated May 19, 2003, finding that he abandoned the subject children, terminated his parental rights, freed the children for adoption, and transferred custody and guardianship of the children to Saint Dominic's Home and the Commissioner of Social Services of the City of New York for the purpose of adoption.

ORDERED that the orders of disposition are affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

 “A parent's incarcerated status does not excuse him or her from establishing or maintaining contact with his or her child” (Matter of Jose Andres M., 8 A.D.3d 385, 777 N.Y.S.2d 700;  see Matter of Thomas Z., 4 A.D.3d 372, 372-373, 770 N.Y.S.2d 879;  Matter of Tashara B., 299 A.D.2d 356, 749 N.Y.S.2d 173;  Matter of Derrick J., 287 A.D.2d 503, 731 N.Y.S.2d 627;  Matter of T. Children, 284 A.D.2d 401, 726 N.Y.S.2d 276).   The record demonstrates that the father had no contact with the subject children during the six-month period prior to the filing of the petitions to terminate his parental rights, and made no attempt during that time to communicate with them or to contact the social services agency with which they were placed.   The petitioner thus established, by clear and convincing evidence, that the father abandoned the subject children (see Social Services Law § 384-b[5][a];  Matter of Kimberly Y., 9 A.D.3d 412, 779 N.Y.S.2d 369;  Matter of Oscar L., 8 A.D.3d 569, 779 N.Y.S.2d 218;  Matter of Jose Andres M., supra;  Matter of Annette B., 2 A.D.3d 721, 769 N.Y.S.2d 587).   In opposition to the petitioner's showing, the Family Court properly determined that the father failed to satisfy his burden of proving that he suffered from a severe hardship that so permeated his life that attempts at communication were not feasible (see Matter of Anthony M., 195 A.D.2d 315, 316, 600 N.Y.S.2d 37;  Matter of Catholic Child Care Socy. of Diocese of Brooklyn, 112 A.D.2d 1039, 492 N.Y.S.2d 831).

Contrary to the father's contention, there is no evidence that, during the six months prior to the filing of the petition, the petitioner did anything to prevent or discourage him from contacting his children or communicating with them (see Matter of Derrick J., supra;  Matter of Tony Reyes W., 266 A.D.2d 222, 697 N.Y.S.2d 690;  Matter of Oneka O., 249 A.D.2d 233, 672 N.Y.S.2d 316).   Moreover, the petitioner had no obligation to arrange for a visit or other forms of communication between the father and his children (see Social Services Law § 384-b[5][a];  Matter of Julius P., 63 N.Y.2d 477, 481, 483 N.Y.S.2d 175, 472 N.E.2d 1003;  Matter of Anonymous, 40 N.Y.2d 96, 103, 386 N.Y.S.2d 59, 351 N.E.2d 707;  Matter of Tony Reyes W., supra at 222, 697 N.Y.S.2d 690;  Matter of Shakim Ravon B., 257 A.D.2d 547, 548, 685 N.Y.S.2d 20).