Matter
of Joei R. (Ida S.)
2003 NYSlipOp 11488
Decided on February 27, 2003
Appellate Division, First Department
This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication
in the Official Reports.
Decided on February 27, 2003
Nardelli, J.P., Mazzarelli, Sullivan, Lerner, Marlow, JJ.
330- 330A - 330B
[*1]In re Guardianship, etc., Joei R., et al., Children Under the Age of
Eighteen Years, etc.,
and
Ida S., et al., Respondents-Appellants, Angel Guardian Children and Family
Services, Petitioner-Respondent.
Kevin C. Walker
George E. Reed, Jr.
Geoffrey
P. Berman
Ira Eras
Orders of disposition, Family Court,
Bronx County (Rhoda Cohen, J.), entered on or about November 27, 2000, which,
to the extent appealable, found that respondents permanently neglected the
subject children and, upon such findings with respect to respondent father,
terminated his parental rights, and transferred custody and guardianship of the
children to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose
of adoption, and order, same court and Judge, entered on or about December 11,
2000, which denied respondent mother's motion to vacate her default in
appearing at the dispositional hearing, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Appeal by respondent mother from the dispositional determinations in the
aforementioned orders entered on or about November 27, 2000, unanimously
dismissed, without costs, as no appeal lies from an order entered on default.
Clear and convincing evidence
supports the findings of permanent neglect against respondents based on their
failure to plan for the future of their children (see Matter of
Amanda R., 215 AD2d 220, lv denied 86 NY2d 705).
Notwithstanding the agency's diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the
parent-child relationship by regularly scheduling bi-weekly visitation between
respondents and the children, as well as by urging [*2]respondents
to attend a drug treatment program, a parenting skills program and to obtain
mental health evaluations, respondents failed meaningfully to avail themselves
of the services offered (see id.).
Also sufficiently supported was
Family Court's finding that it was in the children's best interests (see
Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 NY2d 136, 147-148) that respondent father's
parental rights be terminated in order to facilitate the children's adoption.
Family Court properly exercised its
discretion in denying respondent mother's motion to vacate her default in
appearing at the dispositional hearing in light of her failure to demonstrate a
reasonable excuse for the default and a meritorious defense to the termination
petition (see Matter of Derrick T., 261 AD2d 108). Respondent
mother offered no documentary evidence to substantiate her claim that she had a
medical condition for which she had been hospitalized until his release six
days prior to the hearing, nor did she proffer evidence that she notified her
attorney or the court that she would not be able to appear (see Matter
of Ashley Marie M., 287 AD2d 333). In any event, these children's best
interests clearly lie with a termination and an adoption by the foster mother
who has provided them with excellent care under challenging circumstances and
is anxious to adopt them.
Respondent mother's appellate claim
that she was constructively denied effective assistance of counsel by reason of
the allegedly constitutionally inadequate compensation available to her
assigned counsel, is unpreserved for our review (see Matter of Tamara
Liz H., __ AD2d __, 2002 NY App Div LEXIS 12812) and there is no indication
that her actual representation was less than effective (see People v
Lopez, 298 AD2d 114). [*3]
We have reviewed respondents'
remaining contentions to the extent that they are properly before us and find
them unavailing.
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND
ORDER
OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.
ENTERED: FEBRUARY 27, 2003
CLERK