In re Rasyn W.
Opinion of the Court
Order unanimously modified, on the law, and, as modified, affirmed without costs and matter remitted to Erie County Family Court for further proceedings in accordance with the following Memorandum: Respondent appeals from an order of disposition adjudicating her child to be permanently neglected, terminating her parental rights and committing the child to the guardianship and custody of petitioner. Family Court properly found that the child is permanently neglected. Petitioner established by clear and convincing evidence that it made diligent efforts to reunite the family. It developed a multifaceted program, including parenting and domestic violence counseling and substance abuse treatment and counseling, designed to help respondent overcome those problems that prevent the return of the child to her care (see, Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 NY2d 136, 142; Matter of Justin F., 247 AD2d 924; Matter of Paul B., 247 AD2d 920). Although respondent participated in some parts of the program, she failed to address or mitigate on a consistent basis the problems preventing the return of the child and thus failed to plan for the future of the child (see, Matter of Michelle F., 222 AD2d 747, 749; Matter of S. Children, 210 AD2d 175, lv denied 85 NY2d 807; Matter of Sonia H., 177 AD2d 575, 577).
The court erred, however, in terminating respondent’s parental rights without conducting a dispositional hearing and in making its disposition based on evidence presented at the fact-finding hearing. Respondent stated that she needed additional time to obtain proof for the dispositional hearing. The court stated that the dispositional hearing could be held either on May 1, 1997, when counsel for respondent could not be present, or immediately upon conclusion of the fact-finding hear
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.