IN RE: ANTON T.H. (Anonymous) (2023)

DECISION & ORDER

In related proceedings pursuant to Social Services Law § 384–b, the father appeals from two orders of fact-finding and disposition (one as to each child) of the Family Court, Queens County (Monica D. Shulman, J.), both dated August 3, 2021.  The orders of fact-finding and disposition, insofar as appealed from, upon an order of the same court dated July 9, 2021, made after a fact-finding hearing, determined that the father abandoned the subject children, terminated his parental rights, and transferred guardianship and custody of the children to the New York City Administration for Children's Services and the petitioner for the purpose of adoption.  The appeal from the orders of fact-finding and disposition brings up for review the order dated July 9, 2021.

ORDERED that on the Court's own motion, the notice of appeal from the order dated July 9, 2021, is deemed to be a premature notice of appeal from the orders of fact-finding and disposition dated August 3, 2021 (see CPLR 5520[c]);  and it is further,

ORDERED that the orders of fact-finding and disposition dated August 3, 2021, are affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.

The petitioner commenced these proceedings pursuant to Social Services Law § 384–b, inter alia, to terminate the father's parental rights with respect to the subject children on the ground of abandonment.  After a fact-finding hearing, the Family Court determined that the father abandoned the children, terminated his parental rights, and transferred guardianship and custody of the children to the New York City Administration for Children's Services and the petitioner for the purpose of adoption.  The father appeals.  We affirm.

To demonstrate that the father abandoned the children, the petitioner was required to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the father evinced “[a]n intent to abandon [the] child[ren]” by “ ‘fail[ing] to visit the child[ren] or communicate with the child[ren] or the [petitioner] although able to do so and not prevented or discouraged from doing so by the [petitioner]’ ” during the six-month period before the petitions were filed (Matter of Dion J.L. [Danac L.], 183 A.D.3d 736, 737, 122 N.Y.S.3d 671, quoting Matter of Julius P., 63 N.Y.2d 477, 481, 483 N.Y.S.2d 175, 472 N.E.2d 1003;  see Social Services Law § 384–b[4][b];  [5][a]).  Here, the petitioner met this burden.  The record reveals that the father did not contact the petitioner or otherwise attempt to contact the children by sending letters, gifts, cards, or financial support during the relevant time period.  The father failed to demonstrate that injuries he allegedly sustained and the COVID–19 pandemic restrictions so permeated his life that contact with the children was not feasible.  He did not submit any supporting documentary evidence to substantiate the length, severity, or extent of his injuries, or the effect the pandemic restrictions had upon him (see Matter of David UU. [Jeanie UU.], 206 A.D.3d 1502, 1505, 170 N.Y.S.3d 690;  Matter of Madelynn T. [Rebecca M.], 148 A.D.3d 1784, 1785–1786, 50 N.Y.S.3d 775;  Matter of Crystal C., 219 A.D.2d 601, 602, 631 N.Y.S.2d 376).  These circumstances did not relieve the father of his responsibility to maintain contact or communicate with the children or the petitioner (see Matter of Dion J.L. [Danac L.], 183 A.D.3d at 737, 122 N.Y.S.3d 671).

Although the father testified that the petitioner only contacted the mother, thereby preventing him from maintaining contact with or visiting the children, his “testimony was vague and uncorroborated, and insufficient to overcome a showing of abandonment” (Matter of Aliyah S.P. [William L.], 163 A.D.3d 969, 969, 79 N.Y.S.3d 676;  see Matter of Elizabeth Susanna R., 11 A.D.3d 619, 620–621, 783 N.Y.S.2d 641).  Furthermore, the father's minimal, sporadic, and insubstantial contacts are insufficient to overcome a finding of abandonment when clear and convincing evidence otherwise supports granting the petitions (see Matter of Abel J.R. [Michael S.], 207 A.D.3d 727, 728, 170 N.Y.S.3d 891;  Matter of Dion J.L. [Danac L.], 183 A.D.3d at 737, 122 N.Y.S.3d 671).  Accordingly, the Family Court's determination has a sound and substantial basis in the record and should not be disturbed (see Matter of Myla–Ray L. [Ryan L.], 195 A.D.3d 1024, 146 N.Y.S.3d 823).

The father's remaining contentions are without merit.

DILLON, J.P., CHAMBERS, FORD and WAN, JJ., concur.