In re Patrick JJ.
Opinion of the Court
Appeal from an order of the Family Court of Broome County (Ray, J.), entered December 18, 1997, which granted petitioner’s application, in a proceeding pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b, to adjudicate Patrick JJ. and Brian KK. to be permanently neglected children, and terminated respondents’ parental rights.
Respondent Charmaine KK. (hereinafter respondent) has two sons (hereinafter the children) who were born in 1989 and 1991, respectively. The children were placed in petitioner’s custody in August 1992. By order entered February 3, 1993, the children were adjudicated to have been neglected by respondent based upon findings, among others, that respondent was abusive, permitted herself and the children to be physically abused by her husband (the father of one of the children), and consistently failed to follow through and be a protective ally for the children. In September 1994, petitioner filed a petition alleging that the children had been permanently neglected by respondent. Respondent admitted to allegations, among others, that she had failed to plan for the children’s return for a period in excess of one year and that petitioner had made diligent efforts to reunite the children with respondent. By order entered in April 1995, Family Court made a finding of permanent neglect and, following a dispositional hearing that commenced in July 1996, ultimately determined that the children’s best interests would be served by terminating respondent’s parental rights. Respondent appeals, challenging only so much of Family Court’s order as terminated her parental rights.
We affirm. The testimony of several caseworkers and mental
Notwithstanding respondent’s citation to favorable evidence in the record, we conclude that Family Court’s findings are supported by a preponderance of the evidence (see, Matter of Ryan V., 243 AD2d 865, 867) and we perceive no valid basis for disturbing Family Court’s finding that the children’s best interests will be served by terminating respondent’s parental rights (see, Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 NY2d 136, 147).
Mikoll, J. P., Crew III, Yesawich Jr. and Peters, JJ., concur. Ordered that the order is affirmed, without costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.