Case ID: ad2d_75/html/0942-01.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 Florence X. and Others, Children Alleged to be Permanently Neglected. Otsego County Department of Social Services, Respondent; Floyd X., Appellant.
   Appeal from an order of the Family Court of Otsego County, entered March 2, 1978, which (1) adjudged appellant’s six children to be permanently neglected; (2) permanently terminated appellant’s custody of the children, and (3) awarded custody to the petitioner. Before children can be adjudged permanently neglected, the petitioner must show that it exercised diligent efforts to strengthen and encourage the parental relationship, except when such efforts would be detrimental to the children (Social Services Law, § 384-b, subd 7, par [a]; Family Ct Act, § 614, subd 1, par [c]; Matter of Ray A. M, 37 NY2d 619, 623). The petitioner admits its failure to attempt to further the parental relationship. It seeks justification for such failure in the exception to the rule. The proof offered at the hearing, however, fails to show that such efforts, if undertaken, would have been detrimental to the children. The children had never been physically neglected or abused by the appellant father; he remained in constant contact with them; and he performed the disciplinary and companionship functions of a father. The appellant’s problems were lack of a job, a stable home after his wife’s death in 1970 and a periodic drinking problem—all of which might have well responded to diligent efforts if the petitioner attempted them. How the petitioner’s aiding of the father in these problems would detrimentally affect the children lacks any basis in the record. Additionally, the record clearly indicates that petitioner’s entire case record was introduced into evidence without providing advance notice to respondent or an adequate opportunity to examine its contents. Such a procedure violated the principle of "fundamental fairness” established by the Court of Appeals in Matter of Leon RR (48 NY2d 117) and warrants reversal (cf. Matter of Lisa Ann U., 75 AD2d 944). Order reversed, on the law and the facts, without costs, and petition dismissed. Mahoney, P. J., Greenblott, Main, Casey and Herlihy, JJ., concur.