Case Name: In the Matter of Chanelle H., a Child Alleged to be Permanently Neglected. Aida L., Appellant; Lutheran Social Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc., Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2002-09-26
Citations: 297 A.D.2d 611
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Chanelle H., a Child Alleged to be Permanently Neglected. Aida L., Appellant; Lutheran Social Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc., Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 297
Pages: 611–611

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Chanelle H., a Child Alleged to be Permanently Neglected. Aida L., Appellant; Lutheran Social Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc., Respondent.
[747 NYS2d 363]

Opinion:
Clear and convincing evidence supports the findings that the petitioner agency made diligent efforts to strengthen respondent's relationship with the child, but that respondent failed to complete a drug rehabilitation program, and otherwise failed to plan for the child's future (see Matter of Louis Jaybee J., 294 AD2d 285). A preponderance of the evidence supports the finding that the child's best interests would be served by freeing her for adoption by the foster mother (see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 NY2d 136, 147-148). Under the circumstances of this case, respondent's enrollment in a drug rehabilitation program at the time of the dispositional hearing did not warrant a suspended judgment. Concur — Nardelli, J.P., Saxe, Ellerin, Rubin and Friedman, JJ.