Alicia T. v. Mary McD. R. (In re Elizabeth E.R.T.), 8073

• Decision Date: 10 January 2019
• Docket Number: 8073
• Citation: 91 N.Y.S.3d 404,168 A.D.3d 448
• Parties: IN RE ELIZABETH E.R.T., and Others, Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc. Alicia T., etc., Respondent–Appellant, v. Mary McD. R., Respondent, v. Catholic Guardian Services, Petitioner–Respondent, v. Commissioner of Social Services for the City of New York, Petitioner.
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

168 A.D.3d 448
91 N.Y.S.3d 404

IN RE ELIZABETH E.R.T., and Others, Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc.

Alicia T., etc., Respondent–Appellant,
v.
Mary McD. R., Respondent,
v.
Catholic Guardian Services, Petitioner–Respondent,
v.
Commissioner of Social Services for the City of New York, Petitioner.

8073

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, New York.

ENTERED: JANUARY 10, 2019

91 N.Y.S.3d 405

Kenneth M. Tuccillo, Hastings on Hudson, for appellant.

Magovern & Sclafani, Mineola (Joanna M. Roberson of counsel), for respondent.

Dawne A. Mitchell, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Judith Stern of counsel), attorney for the children.

Acosta, P.J., Renwick, Manzanet–Daniels, Webber, Kahn, JJ.

91 N.Y.S.3d 406

168 A.D.3d 448

Order of fact-finding and disposition (one paper), Family Court, Bronx County (Sarah P. Cooper, J.), entered on or about January 30, 2018, insofar as it determined, after a hearing, that respondent mother neglected the subject children, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

The permanent neglect finding is supported by clear and convincing evidence (see Social Services Law [SSL] § 384–b[3][g][i], [7][a] ; Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 140, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824 [1984] ). The

168 A.D.3d 449

record reflects that the agency made "diligent efforts to strengthen and encourage a parental relationship" (see SSL § 384–b[7][f] ; Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d at 144, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824 ). The agency scheduled weekly visitation, provided the mother with Metrocards, developed and communicated an appropriate service plan, requested paperwork to "clear" the mother's husband of child sexual abuse allegations, gave the mother a housing referral, repeatedly reminded the mother of the importance of vacating the Connecticut order transferring guardianship of the children to her maternal grandmother, and assisted her in completing the requisite paperwork (see Matter of Antonio James L. [Eric David L.], 156 A.D.3d 554, 554, 67...