Matter of Khadijah Destiny H. (Carmella Maria R.)

Matter of Khadijah Destiny H. (Carmella Maria R.) 2013 NY Slip Op 06970 Decided on October 29, 2013 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 October 29, 2013
Tom, J.P., Andrias, Saxe, Freedman, Richter, JJ.
10876

[*1]In re Khadijah Destiny H., A Dependent Child Under The Age of Eighteen Years, etc.,

and

Carmella Maria R., Respondent-Appellant, New Alternatives for Children, Inc., Petitioner-Respondent.




Richard L. Herzfeld, P.C., New York (Richard L. Herzfeld of
counsel), for appellant.
Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (Dawn
M. Orsatti of counsel), for respondent.
Larry S. Bachner, Jamaica, attorney for the child.

Order, Family Court, Bronx County (Monica Drinane, J.), entered on or about July 29, 2011, which, insofar as appealed from as limited by the briefs, found that respondent mother was presently and for the foreseeable future unable to care for the subject child by reason of mental retardation, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

Petitioner met its burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that respondent suffers from mental retardation within the meaning of Social Services Law § 384-b(4)(c) and (6)(b)
(Matter of Erica D. [Maria D.], 80 AD3d 423 [1st Dept 2011], lv denied 16 NY3d 708 [2011]). Such evidence included, inter alia, respondent's IQ scores and the reports and testimony of two court-appointed psychologists, who concluded that respondent's deficits in academic skills and self-direction rendered her [*2]
unable to provide proper care for the child (see Matter of Leomia Louise C., 41 AD3d 249 [1st Dept 2007]).

We have considered respondent's remaining arguments and find them unavailing.

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

ENTERED: OCTOBER 29, 2013

CLERK