Case Name: In the Matter of Anthony Christopher G., Jr., Also Known as Anthony G. St. Christopher-Ottilie, Respondent; Luz S., Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2005-05-02
Citations: 18 A.D.3d 470
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Anthony Christopher G., Jr., Also Known as Anthony G. St. Christopher-Ottilie, Respondent; Luz S., Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 470–470

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Anthony Christopher G., Jr., Also Known as Anthony G. St. Christopher-Ottilie, Respondent; Luz S., Appellant.
[793 NYS2d 776]

Opinion:
— In a proceeding pursuant to Social Services Law § 384-b to terminate parental rights on the ground of permanent neglect, the mother appeals from an order of the Family Court, Kings County (Freeman, J.), dated March 26, 2004, which denied her motion to vacate her default in appearing at the fact-finding and dispositional hearings at which her parental rights to the subject child were terminated.
Ordered that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
"The determination whether to relieve a party of an order entered upon his or her default is a matter left to the sound discretion of the Family Court" (Matter of Samantha P., 297 AD2d 348 [2002]; see Matter of Samaria Ann B., 293 AD2d 532 [2002]). In seeking to vacate her default, the mother was required to show that there was a reasonable excuse for her default and a meritorious defense (see Matter of Iris R., 295 AD2d 521, 522 [2002]; Matter of Angel Joseph S., 282 AD2d 752 [2001]; Matter of Latisha I., 238 AD2d 340 [1997]). We agree with the Family Court that the mother did not make the requisite showing. Cozier, J.P., Ritter, Krausman and Skelos, JJ., concur.