Alex LL. v. Albany County Department of Social Services
Father Alex LL. appealed two Family Court orders concerning his child Alex MM.: one dismissing his custody petition and another terminating his parental rights. The child was removed from the mother's care at birth due to maternal cocaine use, leading to the termination of her parental rights. The Family Court dismissed the father's custody petition and later terminated his parental rights, despite no findings of neglect or unfitness against him. The appellate court found no evidence supporting the denial of custody or the termination of parental rights, noting the father's efforts and the lack of a proper basis for the mandated services. Consequently, the court reversed both Family Court orders, reinstating the custody petition for an expedited hearing before a new judge and dismissing the permanent neglect petition against the father.