TOM
George E. Reed, Jr., White Plains, for appellant. Magovern & Sclafani, New York (Joanna M. Roberson of counsel), for respondent.
Karen Freedman, Lawyers for Children, Inc., New York (Shirim Nothenberg of counsel), attorney for the child.
TOM, J.P., MAZZARELLI, MOSKOWITZ, ABDUS–SALAAM, FEINMAN, JJ.
Order of disposition, Family Court, New York County (Jody Adams, J.), entered on or about January 12, 2012, which, following a fact-finding determination that respondent mother had permanently neglected the subject child, terminated her parental rights, and committed custody and guardianship of the child to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The court providently exercised its discretion in denying respondent's request for an adjournment, given that she had more than three months to communicate with her counsel and prepare for the fact-finding hearing ( Matter of Steven B., 6 N.Y.3d 888, 889, 817 N.Y.S.2d 599, 850 N.E.2d 646 [2006] ).
The finding of permanent neglect is supported by clear and convincing evidence ( seeSocial Services Law § 384–b[3][g][i], [7][a] ). There is clear and convincing evidence that the agency exercised diligent efforts to reunite respondent and the child by preparing a service plan, scheduling visits between respondent and the child, referring respondent to parenting skills classes, and conducting meetings and case conferences with respondent ( see Matter of Jamal N. [Shanikqua N.], 89 A.D.3d 537, 538, 933 N.Y.S.2d 10 [2011] ). There is also clear and convincing evidence that, despite the agency's diligent efforts, respondent failed to visit the child on a regular and consistent basis, complete a parenting skills program, and permit the agency to obtain information concerning her medication ( id.).
A preponderance of the evidence supports the finding that it is in the child's best interests to terminate respondent's parental rights so as to free the child for adoption (Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 147–148, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824 [1984] ). The record shows that the child has resided with his foster parents since placement, and that they have been able to care for his special needs.