Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1998

In re Rosh E.

In re Rosh E.
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York · Decided March 10, 1998 · Milonas, Rubin, Sullivan, Tom
248 A.D.2d 179; 669 N.Y.S.2d 813; 1998 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 2372
In re Rosh E.

Opinion of the Court

—Order of disposition, Family Court, New York County (Leah Marks, J.), entered on or about October 17, 1996, which, upon findings of abuse made in respondent’s absence, placed the subject children in the custody of petitioner Commissioner of Administration for Children’s Services for 12 months, and bringing up for review a ruling denying respondent’s motion to vacate his default at the fact-finding hearing, unanimously reversed, on the facts, without costs, and the matter remanded for a new fact-finding hearing.

As argued by both petitioner and the law guardian, respondent’s motion to vacate the fact-finding determination made in his absence should have been granted, respondent having made a clear showing that his failure to appear at the hearing was *180not willful (Family Ct Act § 1042). Accordingly, we remand for a new fact-finding hearing.

Concur — Sullivan, J. P., Milonas, Rubin and Tom, JJ.

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