Matter of Malik, 40 N.Y.2d 840

Memorandum. Order of the Appellate Division affirmed, without costs.

Matter of Anonymous (St. Christopher’s Home) (40 NY2d 96, 99, 102-103) is dispositive of one issue raised in this appeal: whether in statutory abandonment proceedings under section 384 of the Social Services Law the authorized agency charged with temporary foster care must exercise diligent efforts to encourage and strengthen the parental relationship. On the other issue, abandonment, the Family Court concluded that the evidentiary facts established abandonment, and the Appellate Division affirmed. All that remains for this court to decide is whether the finding of ultimate fact of abandonment is supported by sufficient evidence. The answer must be affirmative, even if one consider in favor of the mother the disadvantages and misfortunes under which she functioned and which undoubtedly contributed to the abandonment.

The effect of this disposition is to separate the child not only from his mother, but also from his three siblings, only one of whom is with the mother. This is, of course, quite unfortunate, but the record also establishes that, in the best interests of the child, the separation and eventual adoption is the better choice of what are tragic alternatives. The factual background and tensions are somewhat paralleled by those in Matter of Orlando F. (40 NY2d 103, 106-109), albeit that case involved a permanent neglect proceeding under section 611 of the Family Court Act, rather than an abandonment proceeding as here. (See, also, Matter of Ray A. M., 37 NY2d 619, another permanent neglect case.)

Chief Judge Breitel and Judges Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler, Fuchsberg and Cooke concur in memorandum.

Order affirmed.

Case Details

Case Name: Matter of Malik

Court Name: New York Court of Appeals

Date Published: Sep 21, 1976

Citations: 40 N.Y.2d 840; 356 N.E.2d 288; 387 N.Y.S.2d 835; 1976 N.Y. LEXIS 3012

Court Abbreviation: N.Y.