In re Heart Share Human Services
This case involves a petition filed by Heart Share Human Services of New York to terminate the parental rights of Brunilda E., the respondent mother, and Chiedus E., the putative father, to their child, Charle E., alleging permanent neglect and abandonment. Initially, the presumptive father was also a respondent, but the petition against him was withdrawn. The respondent mother conceded permanent neglect. The primary issues before the court were whether Chiedus E. qualified as a "consent father" and if the allegations of permanent neglect or abandonment against him were established. The court found Chiedus E. to be a credible witness, establishing his status as a "consent father" due to his prompt efforts to assert paternity and parental responsibility once aware of the possibility, despite the respondent mother's initial misrepresentations and the petitioning agency's lack of diligent efforts. Consequently, the court found that the petitioning agency failed to prove permanent neglect or abandonment against Chiedus E., leading to the dismissal of the petition against him, while proceedings for a dispositional hearing continued for the respondent mother.