Case Name: In the Matter of Randy A., an Infant. Chautauqua County Department of Social Services, Respondent; Rosemary A., Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2003-10-02
Citations: 309 A.D.2d 1226
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Randy A., an Infant. Chautauqua County Department of Social Services, Respondent; Rosemary A., Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 309
Pages: 1226–1227

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Randy A., an Infant. Chautauqua County Department of Social Services, Respondent; Rosemary A., Appellant.
[765 NYS2d 308]

Opinion:
Appeal from an order of Family Court, Chautauqua County (Claire, J.), entered May 20, 2002, which adjudged that respondent's child is a permanently neglected child, transferred the guardianship and custody rights of respondent to petitioner, and authorized petitioner to consent to the adoption of the child.
It is hereby ordered that the order so appealed from be and the same hereby is unanimously affirmed without costs.
Memorandum: Respondent appeals from an order adjudicating her son to be permanently neglected, terminating her parental rights, and authorizing petitioner to consent to the adoption of the child. Contrary to respondent's contention, petitioner met its burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that it made diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship (see Social Services Law § 384-b [7] [a]; Matter of Ja-Nathan F., 300 AD2d 1030, 1031 [2002], lv denied 99 NY2d 511 [2003]; Matter of Raychael L.W., 298 AD2d 930, 931 [2002], lv denied 99 NY2d 504 [2003]; Mat ter of Hannah D., 292 AD2d 867 [2002]; Matter of Christina W., 273 AD2d 918 [2000]). Contrary to respondent's further contention, Family Court properly concluded that a suspended judgment, together with a temporary placement of the child in the custody of his aunt, would not be in the best interests of the child (see Matter of Ada M.R., 306 AD2d 920 [2003]; Ja-Nathan F., 300 AD2d at 1031; Matter of Sonny H.B., 249 AD2d 940 [1998]). Present — Pigott, Jr., P.J., Pine, Wisner, Scudder and Kehoe, JJ.