Matter of Anonymous (St. Christopher's)

There are currently three routes by which an individual or agency can terminate a parent’s right to a child, thus placing that child in a position whereby he or she will be available for adoption. One such route, the most direct, is via a proceeding pursuant to article VII of the Domestic Relations Law. Such proceeding is brought by the individual who wishes to adopt. It accomplishes both the termination of parental rights and the adoption.

The second route is by way of a guardianship proceeding under the Social Services Law. Section 384 of the Social Services Law permits an authorized agency…