Fourth Department – Termination of parental rights: Matter of Kal-El F.

New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department

Termination of parental rights — Permanent neglect

Matter of Kal-El F.

CAF 25-01386

Appealed from Family Court, Erie County

Background: The respondent father appealed from an order that terminated his parental rights on the ground of permanent neglect.

Ruling: The Appellate Division affirmed. The court held that the petitioner established that it exercised diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the father’s relationship with the child. The petitioner sent monthly diligence letters which contained referrals to various agencies for court-ordered services, provided a transportation stipend to facilitate visitation with the child, and arranged for the father to have virtual video visits with the child. Furthermore, the Appellate Division noted that the father did not successfully complete or even participate in any of the court-ordered services to which he was referred. The father completely failed to participate in visitation with the child, despite the efforts of the petitioner.

Caitlin M. Connelly for the respondent-appellant; Julie Vilgjoen for the petitioner-respondent; Jordyn E. Principale, The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, attorney for the child.

Oral argument video