Case Name: In the Matter of Patrick D. Patricia D., Respondent; Commissioner of Social Services of the City of New York, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1983-04-11
Citations: 93 A.D.2d 836
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Patrick D. Patricia D., Respondent; Commissioner of Social Services of the City of New York, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 93
Pages: 836–836

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Patrick D. Patricia D., Respondent; Commissioner of Social Services of the City of New York, Appellant.

Opinion:
— In a neglect proceeding pursuant to article 10 of the Family Court Act, the appeal is from an order of the Family Court, Queens County (Conrado, J.), dated December 18, 1981, which dismissed the petition, without a hearing. Order reversed, without costs or disbursements, petition reinstated, and matter remitted to the Family Court for a hearing in accordance herewith. Pending the hearing, the infant is to remain in the custody of the appellant. "Article 10 of the Family Court Act makes it clear that a 'fact-finding hearing' must be held on the issue of neglect, as raised by the petition, and findings of fact should be made" {Matter of Debra VV, 52 AD2d 960, 961). Contrary to the assertion by the Family Court, a finding of neglect can be properly made despite the fact that the child has never lived with his mother {Matter of Eugene G., 76 AD2d 781). It was error for that court to dismiss the petition without a hearing. Gibbons, J. P., Weinstein, Bracken and Niehoff, JJ., concur.