In re Alexis AA.
In the Matter of ALEXIS AA., a Child Alleged to be Neglected. CLINTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, Respondent; JOHN AA. et al., Appellants. (Proceeding No. 1.) In the Matter of GABE AA., a Neglected Child. CLINTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, Respondent; JOHN AA. et al., Appellants. (Proceeding No. 2.) In the Matter of NOAH AA., a Neglected Child. CLINTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, Respondent; JOHN AA. et al., Appellants. (Proceeding No. 3.) [948 NYS2d 709]—
Respondent John AA. (hereinafter the father) and respondent Emily BB. (hereinafter the mother) are the parents of Gabe AA., Noah AA. and Alexis AA. (born in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively). This Court recently affirmed Family Court orders finding that Noah and Gаbe were neglected and placing them with petitioner (Matter of Alexis AA. [John AA.], 91 AD3d 1073 [2012], lv denied 18 NY3d 809 [2012]). The present neglect proceeding concerning Alexis was commenced in March 2011 and, following a
Initially, the permanency orders on appeal covering each of the three children have been superceded by subsequent permanency orders entered March 21, 2012. Acсordingly, the current appeals as to Noah and Gabe are moot (see Matter of Telsa Z. [Denise Z.], 84 AD3d 1599, 1600 n 2 [2011], lv denied 17 NY3d 708 [2011]; Matter of William M. v Tompkins County Dept. of Social Servs., 81 AD3d 1186, 1187 [2011]; Matter of Ariel FF., 63 AD3d 1202, 1203 [2009]).1 However, despite the superceding permanency order, respondents’ appeal from the dispositional order with respect to Alexis is not moot, “as an order placing a child in foster care may, in future proceedings, affect a parent‘s status or parental rights” (Matter of Brandon DD. [Jessica EE.], 74 AD3d 1435, 1437 n 2 [2010]; see Matter of Jacelyn TT. [Tonia
We next turn to the merits of the dispositiоnal order regarding Alexis.2 “[A] dispositional order must reflect a resolution consistent with the best interests of the child[ ] after considerаtion of all relevant facts and circumstances, and must be supported by a sound and substantial basis in the record” (Matter of Alaina E., 33 AD3d 1084, 1087 [2006]; see Matter of Telsa Z. [Denise Z.], 84 AD3d at 1603; Matter of Keaghn Y. [Heaven Z.], 84 AD3d 1478, 1478-1479 [2011]). Respondents each admitted to the specific allegations in the neglect petitions filed against them and each consented to findings оf neglect. The allegations stemmed from findings underlying Family Court‘s earlier dispositional orders placing Gabe and Noah in foster care, including that respondents failed to properly supervise the children and keep them safe and that the family home was sо unsanitary that it was unsuitable for young children (see Matter of Alexis AA. [John AA.], 91 AD3d at 1073-1074).
Additionally, the permanency hearing report, received in evidence at the dispositional hearing, revealed that respondents had failed to use appropriate disciplinary and supervisory techniques during supervised visits with their children. During one visit, respondents had to be alerted by a caseworker that Alexis was choking on food and, оn multiple occasions, the mother had to be asked by members of petitioner‘s staff to refrain from shouting at the children. Further, while thе mother argues that the condition of the home was improved, in admitting in May 2011 that Alexis was derivatively neglected, she also admitted thаt she had failed to address the condition, cleanliness and safety of her home and embrace the services offered to her to remedy her parenting problems. An unannounced home visit conducted after the mother made these admissions—and prior to the dispositional hearing—revealed little improvement to the condition of the home, despite the fact that respondents were working regularly with a homemaker provided by petitioner. Evidence also established that respondents permittеd a man whom they knew to be a convicted sex offender to stay at their home for extended periods of time and spend timе alone with the children.
On this record, we find ample support that respоndents failed “to make progress ‘to overcome the specific problems which led to the removal of [their] child[ren]’ in the first instance” (Matter of Kasja YY. [Karin B.], 69 AD3d 1258, 1259 [2010], lv denied 14 NY3d 711 [2010], quoting Matter of Jonathan P., 283 AD2d 675, 676 [2001], lv denied 96 NY2d 717 [2001]; accord Matter of Destiny EE. [Karen FF.], 82 AD3d 1292, 1293-1294 [2011]). Accordingly, Family Court‘s dispositional determination, that placement of Alexis with petitioner was in her best interests, is supрorted by a sound and substantial basis in the record, and should not be disturbed (see Matter of Alaina E., 33 AD3d at 1087).
We have considered respondents’ remaining contеntions and find them unavailing.
Rose, J.P., Malone Jr., Kavanagh and Egan Jr., JJ., concur. Ordered that the appeals from the orders of protection and the extension of placement orders entered September 13, 2011 are dismissed, as moot, without costs. Ordered that the order entered September 13, 2011 adjudicating Alexis AA. to be neglected is affirmed, without costs.