Matter of Melijah NN. (Russell NN.)

Appeal from an order of the Family Court of Sullivan County (Meddaugh, J.), entered April 6, 2016, which granted petitioner’s application, in a proceeding pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b, to adjudicate the subject children to be permanently neglected.

Respondent is the biological father of two children (born in 2008 and 2009), both of whom have been in foster care since June 2013. In September 2015, petitioner commenced this proceeding alleging that respondent permanently neglected the children due, in part, to his recurring substance abuse issues and incarceration. The father had been…