In re Tiffany M.

88 A.D.3d 1299, 930 N.Y.2d 388

• Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
• Decided: October 7, 2011
• Status: Published

Opinion

Memorandum:

Respondent mother appeals from an order terminating her parental rights with respect to the two children who are the subject of this proceeding. The testimony of petitioner’s expert psychologist at the hearing established by clear and convincing evidence that, based on the mother’s mental illness and mental retardation, she is unable presently and for the foreseeable future to provide proper and adequate care for the children (see Matter of Mathew Z., 279 AD2d 904, 906 [2001]; see also Matter of Cayden L.R. [Jayme R.], 83 AD3d 1550 [2011]; Matter of William C.B. [Judy B.], 83 AD3d 1583 [2011], lv dismissed in part and denied in part 17 NY3d 790 [2011]). Although the petition did not allege mental illness as a ground for termination of the mother’s parental rights, the mother did not object to the evidence relating to that ground. In addition, although Family Court did not specifically refer in its decision to the mother’s mental retardation, the court determined that the mother lacked the mental capacity to care for the children properly, and there was ample evidence of the mother’s mental retardation. We therefore conclude that the court properly terminated the mother’s parental rights. Present — Fahey, J.P, Peradotto, Bindley, Sconiers and Green, JJ.