Matter of S.B.N. (J.N.)

Holding The court affirmed the termination of the mother’s parental rights, finding that clear and convincing evidence established her inability to provide proper care due to mental illness. The expert’s opinion was deemed competent despite the lack of direct observation of the mother’s interactions with the children.

The court’s words

Petitioner established by clear and convincing evidence that, due to the mother's mental illness, the mother is presently and for the foreseeable future unable to provide proper and adequate care for the subject children

2026 NY Slip Op 06067, at the official text

The expert opined that the mother suffers from schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, which manifests in delusions and aggressive behavior

2026 NY Slip Op 06067, at the official text

The expert was not required to observe the mother's interactions with the children to provide a competent foundation for her professional opinion

2026 NY Slip Op 06067, at the official text