Case ID: ad3d_49/html/0291-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of Maiea P., a Child Alleged to be Neglected. Reshima K., Appellant; Administration for Children's Services, Respondent, et al., Respondent. Wilfredo P., Nonparty Respondent.
    [853 NYS2d 318]
   The appeal, insofar as it involves Family Court’s denial of the mother’s application pursuant to Family Court Act § 1028 for return of the child pending completion of neglect proceedings, has been rendered moot by the court’s subsequent fact-finding determination of neglect (see Matter of Jabarry W., 24 AD3d 218, 218 [2005], lv denied 6 NY3d 711 [2006]). The award of custody to the father does not have a sound and substantial basis in the record (Bunim v Bunim, 298 NY 391, 393 [1949]) and is contrary to the totality of the circumstances presented to the court (see Eschbach v Eschbach, 56 NY2d 167, 172 [1982]), including the expressed wishes of the then 12-year-old child; agency records showing that the mother had complied with the agency plan and has a warm and loving relationship with the child; the recommendations of the Law Guardian, agency caseworkers and mental health experts; evidence that the father had on occasion interfered with the mother’s relationship with the child; and evidence that the child’s separation from her siblings was having a harmful effect on her emotional development (see id. at 173; Bliss v Ach, 56 NY2d 995, 998 [1982]; Matter of Edwin G. v Patricia E., 209 AD2d 351 [1994]). However,. as the child has lived with the father for over six years, and given little evidence as to the father’s fitness as a parent, we remand for an immediate hearing at which evidence, including psychological evaluations of the parents and the residents of their respective homes, can be adduced for the purpose of determining whether a change in custody is in the child’s best interests (see e.g. Matter of Edwin G.). Concur—Mazzarelli, J.P., Saxe, Gonzalez and Acosta, JJ.