In re Jordan T.

“[A]doption in this State is solely the creature of. . . statute, [and] the adoption statute must be strictly construed” (Matter of Jacob, 86 NY2d 651, 657 [1995] [internal quotation marks

*756omitted]; see Matter of Robert Paul P., 63 NY2d 233, 237-238 [1984]; Matter of Savon, 26 AD3d 821, 821-822 [2006]). Here, since the subject child was in the care and custody of the respondent Suffolk County Department of Social Services (hereinafter DSS) when the appellant commenced the adoption proceeding, the appellant was required to present to the Family Court the consent of DSS to the adoption (see…