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Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Angelo AA.

This appeal concerns a Family Court order that adjudicated two children, Angelo AA. and Ryan CC., as permanently neglected and terminated respondent's parental rights. The respondent mother appealed this decision, arguing that the petitioner agency failed to make diligent efforts toward reunification. The appellate court found that the petitioner did make diligent efforts, providing services for respondent's aggressive behavior, parenting skills, drug dependency, and domestic violence issues. Despite completing some programs, the respondent continued to struggle with substance abuse, maintaining healthy relationships, and consistent mental health counseling. Consequently, the appellate court affirmed the Family Court's order, concluding that the children were permanently neglected and parental rights were appropriately terminated, also upholding the preclusion of an expert witness.

Parental Rights TerminationPermanent NeglectDiligent EffortsFamily ReunificationSubstance AbuseDomestic ViolenceParenting SkillsMental Health CounselingExpert Witness PreclusionDue Process
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Wilinston BB

This appeal stems from a Family Court order in Albany County, adjudicating the respondent a juvenile delinquent. The respondent contested the Family Court's decision not to suppress his written confession, arguing it was involuntarily made. The appellate court, however, affirmed the Family Court's ruling, finding no evidence of coercion during police questioning and noting the appropriate handling of the respondent's mother's presence. While acknowledging certain evidentiary errors by the Family Court, the appellate panel deemed them harmless given the overwhelming evidence of the respondent's guilt. Consequently, the original order of juvenile delinquency adjudication was affirmed.

juvenile delinquencyconfessionsuppression of evidenceinvoluntary confessionFamily Court Actevidentiary rulingsharmless errorrape first degreesodomy first degreepolice questioning
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Jeanne TT.

This case involves an appeal from an order of the Family Court of Chemung County that adjudicated the respondent a person in need of supervision (PINS) and placed her in the custody of the petitioner for 18 months. The PINS adjudication stemmed from the respondent absconding from treatment facilities on three occasions after being removed from her mother's home due to a prior neglect proceeding. The respondent argued that the Family Court abused its discretion by not substituting a neglect petition for the PINS petition and that testimony from social workers violated client-social worker privilege. The appellate court found no abuse of discretion, noting the respondent's behavior was not attributable to parental abuse and occurred while she was in residential treatment. It also ruled that the client-social worker privilege did not apply to the evidence presented, as the communications were not made to a certified social worker or intended to be confidential. Finally, the court affirmed the dispositional order, finding placement necessary given the respondent's history of incorrigible behavior and her mother's surrender of parental rights.

Family Court ActPINS proceedingPerson in Need of SupervisionClient-social worker privilegeCPLR 4508AbscondingPlacement orderAdjournment in contemplation of dismissalNeglect proceedingParental rights surrender
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Jeffrey D.

Petitioner filed a petition under Family Court Act article 10, alleging child abuse and neglect of respondents' three-month-old son, Jeffrey. Initial allegations involved scalding and bruises, later supplemented with claims of numerous fractured ribs following further medical examinations. The Family Court found no abuse but adjudicated the child neglected. The mother appealed, but the Appellate Court rejected the mootness argument, citing the permanent stigma of a neglect adjudication. Based on expert medical testimony from Dr. Louise Godine, who identified nine fractured ribs indicative of forceful squeezing and determined the injuries predated the scalding, the Appellate Court affirmed the Family Court's finding. The court noted the parents' failure to provide a reasonable explanation for the injuries, allowing for strong adverse inferences.

Child Neglect AdjudicationFamily Court Act Article 10Infant Rib FracturesScalding InjuriesMedical Expert TestimonyPreponderance of Evidence StandardMootness Doctrine ApplicationParental Explanations DiscreditedAdverse InferencesAppellate Affirmation
References
9
Case No. CV-23-1648
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 20, 2025

Matter of Ava OO. (Michael NN.)

This is an appeal from a Family Court order adjudicating children neglected and directing the father, Michael NN., to undergo sex offender treatment. Michael NN. and the mother, Leanna MM., consented to a neglect finding after allegations of domestic violence and child sexual abuse by the father. A key condition was for the father to complete a sex offender evaluation. Although the father submitted an evaluation, the Family Court deemed it insufficient as it was not from the named evaluator, was perfunctory, and lacked a crucial section completion. The Appellate Division affirmed the Family Court's decision, finding a sound and substantial basis in the record for not returning the youngest child to the father's care until he obtains a proper sex offender evaluation and engages with recommended treatment. The court also ruled an argument regarding an expired order of protection as moot.

Family LawChild NeglectAppellate ReviewSex Offender EvaluationDispositional OrderBest Interests of the ChildFamily Court Act Article 10Consent OrderMootnessParental Rights
References
13
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Patrick H.

This case involves an appeal stemming from an order of the Family Court of Tompkins County that adjudicated Patrick H. a permanently neglected child and subsequently terminated the parental rights of the respondent. The child's initial neglect adjudication in 1991 was based on findings that the respondent exposed him to sexual abuse. During the permanent neglect proceeding initiated by the petitioner, allegations were made that diligent efforts were exerted to strengthen the parent-child relationship, but the respondent failed to plan for the child's future, notably by not completing a sex offender treatment program or admitting to prior sexual abuse. The Family Court sided with the petitioner, leading to the termination of parental rights, a decision challenged by the respondent on appeal. The appellate court affirmed the Family Court's order, dismissing the respondent's arguments concerning the admission of the entire case file and the petitioner's alleged failure to make diligent efforts, concluding that the respondent's own actions hindered his access to necessary treatment.

Permanent NeglectParental Rights TerminationChild WelfareDiligent EffortsSex Offender TreatmentFamily CourtAppellate ReviewEvidentiary RulingsChild ProtectionTompkins County
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 07, 1988

In re Melissa R.

This case involves an appeal from an order of the Family Court of Otsego County, which granted a petitioner's application to adjudicate seven children as neglected. The investigation stemmed from a report to the State Central Register of Alleged Child Abuse or Maltreatment. Following a fact-finding hearing, the children were found neglected due to issues like academic struggles, chaotic home conditions, excessive corporal punishment, and a lack of care from the parents. The respondents appealed, contending that much of the proof was uncorroborated hearsay and that a "diligent plan" was not provided, but these arguments were rejected by the court. The order was affirmed.

neglectchild abusecorporal punishmentFamily Court ActSocial Services LawOtsego Countyappealtemporary removalcustodyfact-finding hearing
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Darin J. v. Tylena S.

The case concerns an appeal from a Family Court order regarding child neglect. Petitioner Darin J. and Chenango County Department of Social Services filed petitions alleging respondent John K. exposed minor children to pornography, leading to a neglect adjudication against him and a modification of visitation rights for respondent Tylena S. (the mother). Tylena S. and John K. appealed this decision. Their appellate counsel sought to be relieved, claiming no non-frivolous issues existed, but the appellate court identified several such issues. Consequently, the appellate decision is withheld, counsels' applications to be relieved are granted, and new counsel will be assigned to address the identified issues.

Child NeglectFamily Court ActVisitation RightsOrder of ProtectionAppellate ReviewCounsel AssignmentNon-Frivolous IssuesSufficiency of EvidenceFamily AssessmentPornography Exposure
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 18, 2006

In re Timothy HH.

A 14-year-old respondent was adjudicated a juvenile delinquent by the Family Court of St. Lawrence County for criminal mischief in the fourth degree. The petitioner alleged the respondent damaged a car belonging to a St. Lawrence County Youth Advocacy Program worker who had impounded his puppies due to truancy. Respondent asserted a justification defense, believing the worker was stealing his pets. The Family Court rejected this defense and placed the respondent in the custody of the St. Lawrence County Commissioner of Social Services for one year. The appellate court affirmed the Family Court's decision, finding sufficient evidence to support the charge and disprove the justification defense, clarifying that Penal Law § 35.25 pertains to force against persons, not property.

Juvenile DelinquencyCriminal MischiefTruancyJustification DefenseFamily Court AppealProperty DamageAppellate ReviewPenal LawFamily Court ActSt. Lawrence County
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Ashley D.

This case involves appeals from two Family Court orders, both entered on May 22, 1998. The first order adjudicated the respondent's stepdaughter as abused, and the second found his two biological daughters derivatively neglected, stemming from an incident where the respondent physically and sexually assaulted his stepdaughter on October 7, 1997. On appeal, the respondent contended that the evidence was insufficient to support the findings and that he was denied effective assistance of counsel. The Appellate Court affirmed the Family Court's findings, holding that the stepdaughter's out-of-court statements were sufficiently corroborated and that the sexual attack constituted strong evidence for derivative neglect. Furthermore, the court found no merit in the ineffective assistance of counsel claim and affirmed the denial of visitation rights.

Child AbuseChild NeglectFamily Court Act Article 10Appellate ReviewSufficiency of EvidenceCorroboration of StatementsDerivative NeglectSexual AssaultPhysical AssaultIneffective Assistance of Counsel
References
13
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