Hanuszczak
Onondaga County Department of Social Services’ petition alleged respondent mother neglected the subject child, J. The petition claimed mother locked the three and one half year old child in his room for 22 hours a day, made him clean his own urine and feces, and only fed him once a day. A social worker testified there was mostly candy in the house, the refrigerator had green mold and filth inside, and mother failed to maintain the home in a safe and sanitary manner. Director of Forensic Psychiatry, Dr. Knoll, testified mother did not grasp the seriousness of her actions. Caseworker Brooks testified she did not recommend visitation between mother and child noting, due to J.’s imprisonment, he had a variety of physical and emotional problems. The court found mother a “very troubling” witness, and not believable regarding the slight remorse she articulated for the mistreatment of J. It concluded J. was a neglected child, and while he was receiving services he needed to progress, placement with the Commissioner was to be continued. The court stated there was no bond between J. and mother, her desire to visit J. appeared rehearsed, and there was no evidence of parental affection. It ruled staying in the pre-adoptive foster home was in J.’s best interests.
