DESPITE MOTHER’S VIOLATION OF SIX CONDITIONS OF A SUSPENDED JUDGMENT, TERMINATING HER PARENTAL RIGHTS WAS NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HER SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing Family Court, noting that mother had violated six conditions of a suspended judgment, determined it was not in the best interests of the child to terminate mother’s parental rights. The special needs child had been severely neglected by mother (medical neglect). However, mother demonstrated she genuinely loved the child and had learned how to care for him:
The record evidence demonstrated that the mother had learned how to provide the special care that the child needs and that the mother was emotionally attuned to the child’s needs … . Furthermore, the mother obtained stable housing and engaged in counseling … . While the mother expressed her distrust of the preventive services workers and refused to provide releases for her other children’s schools, the evidence demonstrated that the mother never denied the preventive services workers access to her home or to her other children.
The mother also made progress in addressing the issues that led to the child being removed from her custody by taking responsibility for the initial neglect that led to the child being removed from her care. Moreover, the mother has cooperated with other services and providers. In addition, the record demonstrates that the mother genuinely loves the child and has shown vigilance in attending to his needs. The testimony at the hearing demonstrated that the mother’s interaction with the child was appropriate, the visits were going well, and the interaction between the mother and the child has been positive. The record further demonstrates that the child’s siblings are connected to him and desire for him to return to the home. Finally, the mother has a support system in place that she had not had previously. Matter of Markel C. (Kwanza H.), 2019 NY Slip Op 03332, Second Dept 5-1-19