In Matter of Shdell Shakell L v. Sandra S. , a mother sought to reverse a Richmond County Family Court decision terminating her parental rights.
After initially issuing a "suspended judgment," the Family Court decided to permanently revoke custody after the mother violated the terms of that judgment.
While the Appellate Division, Second Department, agreed the mother was in breach, it didn't believe a permanent revocation would not be "in the child's best interest."
The AD2 noted the mother was "making progress in a residential drug treatment program," called her son nightly, visited regularly, and had a "loving relationship" with him. (The child also expressed his wish not to be adopted.) As a result, the appellate court sent the case back to the Family Court for a decision on whether the child should be released to his mother.
Is Richmond County the County for second chances?
To download a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Matter of Shdell Shakell L v. Sandra S.