Case Name: In the Matter of John R. Administration for Children's Services, Respondent; Charles M., Appellant. (Proceeding No. 1.); In the Matter of Phillip R. Administration for Children's Services, Respondent; Charles M., Appellant. (Proceeding No. 2.)
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2008-03-04
Citations: 49 A.D.3d 544
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of John R. Administration for Children’s Services, Respondent; Charles M., Appellant. (Proceeding No. 1.) In the Matter of Phillip R. Administration for Children’s Services, Respondent; Charles M., Appellant. (Proceeding No. 2.)
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 49
Pages: 544–545

Head Matter:
In the Matter of John R. Administration for Children’s Services, Respondent; Charles M., Appellant. (Proceeding No. 1.) In the Matter of Phillip R. Administration for Children’s Services, Respondent; Charles M., Appellant. (Proceeding No. 2.)
[851 NYS2d 891]

Opinion:
The Family Court providently exercised its discretion in denying the motion of the appellant, a "person legally responsible for the child's care" (Family Ct Act § 1042), to vacate the fact-finding order entered upon his default in appearing at the fact-finding hearing, as the record showed that he "willfully refused to appear at the hearing" (id.; see Matter of Nicholas S., 46 AD3d 830 [2007]; Matter of W. Children, 256 AD2d 412, 413 [1998]; Matter of Commissioner of Social Servs. v Margaret D., 221 AD2d 439 [1995]). Moreover, the appellant failed to set forth a meritorious defense to the allegations in the petition (see Family Ct Act § 1042). Fisher, J.P., Dillon, McCarthy and Belen, JJ., concur.