Matter of Messiah T. (Karen S.)

Matter of Matter of Messiah T. (Karen S.) 2012 NY Slip Op 02799 Decided on April 17, 2012 Appellate Division, First Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.

Decided on April 17, 2012
Andrias, J.P., Friedman, Moskowitz, Freedman, Manzanet-Daniels, JJ. 7391-
7392

[*1]In re Messiah T., and Another, Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc.,

and

Karen S., Respondent-Appellant, Administration for Children's Services, Petitioner-Respondent.




Michael S. Bromberg, Sag Harbor, for appellant.
Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Kathy H.
Chang of counsel), for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Judith
Stern of counsel), attorney for the children.

Order of disposition, Family Court, New York County (Jody Adams, J.), entered on or about August 16, 2010, which, to the extent appealed from as limited by the briefs, brings up for review a fact-finding determination that respondent mother had neglected the subject children, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

A preponderance of the evidence supports the finding that respondent neglected the children by failing to provide proper supervision or guardianship (see Family Ct Act § 1012[f][i][B]). Indeed, respondent admitted that she had left the children in the care of their maternal grandmother, who had a history of drug addiction, and her ex-boyfriend, who had a history of drug abuse and domestic violence, and was on parole for drug possession (see Matter of Victor V., 261 AD2d 479, 479-480 [1999], lv denied 93 NY2d 819 [1999]; Matter of Synovia G., 163 AD2d 257 [1990]). In addition, respondent acknowledged that she was a recreational drug user and admitted testing positive for narcotics. Although respondent was enrolled in a drug treatment program, the record shows that she tested positive for drug use while participating in the program, thereby establishing imminent risk to the children's physical, mental and emotional condition (see Family Ct Act § 1012[f][i][B]; Matter of Keira O., 44 AD3d 668, 670-671 [2007]). The finding of neglect is also supported by evidence that respondent was aggressive [*2]with petitioner's staff, and had failed to continue treatment for her mental illness despite suicidal thoughts (see Matter of Kayla W., 47 AD3d 571, 572 [2008]; Matter of Caress S., 250 AD2d 490 [1998]).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER
OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.

ENTERED: APRIL 17, 2012

CLERK