ESQ HQNEW YORK LAW WATCH

Appellate Division, First Department · October 1, 2026 · 2026 NY Slip Op 05616

Matter of Z. J.W. (Toria W.)

Read the official decision: 2026 NY Slip Op 05616

Holding The Appellate Division affirmed the termination of the mother’s parental rights based on a finding of permanent neglect, supported by clear and convincing evidence. The court determined that the agency made diligent efforts to strengthen the parental relationship, but the mother failed to plan for the child’s future and did not gain insight into the problems leading to removal.

The court’s words

The finding of permanent neglect was supported by clear and convincing evidence

2026 NY Slip Op 05616, at the official text

the mother failed to plan for the child's future for a period of more than one year

2026 NY Slip Op 05616, at the official text

the mother did not gain any insight into the problems that led to the child's removal

2026 NY Slip Op 05616, at the official text

the mother went months at a time without visiting the child

2026 NY Slip Op 05616, at the official text

it was in the child's best interest to be freed for adoption

2026 NY Slip Op 05616, at the official text
CourtAppellate Division, First Department
DecidedOctober 1, 2026
Citation2026 NY Slip Op 05616
Area of lawFamily Law
WeekWeek ending October 3, 2026
Official textOfficial decision: 2026 NY Slip Op 05616
Publication statusSlip opinions are uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.
Source feedNew York slip opinion page
Law Watch record id791

Recommended citation

ESQ HQ, New York Law Watch, Matter of Z. J.W. (Toria W.), 2026 NY Slip Op 05616 (Appellate Division, First Department, October 1, 2026), https://esqhq.com/decisions/2026-ny-slip-op-05616/

How this record was made

Holding drafted by Law Watch’s in-house model, graded by three reviewers; every quotation verified word for word against the official text.

Read how Law Watch works

Published October 1, 2026. Updated October 1, 2026.