Joselyn D. v. Oscar O.
Oscar O. died before the birth of his child with Joselyn D., prompting a paternity petition. Family Court Act § 518 seemingly mandated abatement of the petition upon the father's death. However, the court interpreted the statute in a gender-neutral manner to defeat abatement, citing constitutional equal protection concerns. The court concluded that a gender-neutral reading better serves the legislative intent of expanding paternity proceeding opportunities and eliminating distinctions between marital and non-marital children. A finding of paternity was made based on clear and convincing evidence. The court also urged the Legislature to amend FCA § 518 to be explicitly gender-neutral.