Case Name: In the Matter of Peter Santos et al., Appellants, v. Burton S. Goldstein, an Officer of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1962-05-03
Citations: 16 A.D.2d 755
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Peter Santos et al., Appellants, v. Burton S. Goldstein, an Officer of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 16
Pages: 755–755

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Peter Santos et al., Appellants, v. Burton S. Goldstein, an Officer of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Respondent.

Opinion:
Order, entered on May 25, 1961 adjudicating that the child " is neglected " unanimously affirmed, without costs. The parents, because of religious convictions, refused to give their consent to a blood transfusion. Operative procedure might have made a transfusion essential for the safety of the child. Such refusal warranted the finding of " neglect " within the meaning of section 2 (subd. [17], par. [g] of the New York City Domestic Relations Court Act (see People ex rel. Wallace v. Labrenz, 411 Ill. 618, cert, denied 344 U. S. 824). Such finding, however, does not constitute an adjudication that the parents neglected their child in the ordinary meaning of the word. " Neglected " is here used in its legal sense within the meaning of the Domestic Relations Court Act. It in no way imports a finding that these parents failed in their duty to the child in any other respect. Concur — Rabin, J. P., Valente, Stevens, Eager and Steuer, JJ.