FAILED TO ADDRESS HIS SUBSTANCE-ABUSE ISSUES
After the Rockland County Family Court determined that he had “permanently neglected” his child, the dad appealed.
And on its review, the Appellate Division, Second Department, noted that there was “clear and convincing evidence” that the outcome below was justified because the dad failed to complete all the required services, didn't “gain any insight from the services he did utilize,” nor planned for the youngster’s return.
Since the focus at that stage of the case was what was in the child’s best interests, the factors to be considered included, “’the [parent's] capacity to properly supervise the child … and the potential threat of future abuse and neglect.’” And given his failure to address his substance-abuse issues, the AD2 agreed that his parental rights warranted termination and that the child be freed for adoption.
Looks like the dad should have adopted a different approach there.
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DECISION