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Appellate Division, First Department · October 13, 2026 · 2026 NY Slip Op 05906

Matter of C.J.C. (O.G.)

Read the official decision: 2026 NY Slip Op 05906

Holding The Appellate Division affirmed the termination of the mother’s parental rights, finding that clear and convincing evidence established her mental illness prevented her from caring for the child. The court held that the expert’s opinion was competent despite the lack of direct observation of the mother-child interaction or recent medical records.

The court’s words

Petitioner established by clear and convincing evidence that the mother's mental illness left her unable to properly and adequately care for the child presently and for the foreseeable future

2026 NY Slip Op 05906, at the official text

the expert was not required to observe the mother's interactions with the child to provide a competent foundation for his professional opinion

2026 NY Slip Op 05906, at the official text

A dispositional hearing was not necessary to find that termination of respondent's parental rights is in the best interests of the child

2026 NY Slip Op 05906, at the official text
CourtAppellate Division, First Department
DecidedOctober 13, 2026
Citation2026 NY Slip Op 05906
Area of lawFamily Law
WeekWeek ending October 17, 2026
Official textOfficial decision: 2026 NY Slip Op 05906
Publication statusSlip opinions are uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.
Source feedNew York slip opinion page
Law Watch record id1142

Recommended citation

ESQ HQ, New York Law Watch, Matter of C.J.C. (O.G.), 2026 NY Slip Op 05906 (Appellate Division, First Department, October 13, 2026), https://esqhq.com/decisions/2026-ny-slip-op-05906/

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.

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Published October 13, 2026. Updated October 13, 2026.