In Matter of Ileana v. Admin. for Children's Services , when a grandmother's request to see her two grandchildren was denied by the New York County Family Court, an appeal to the Appellate Division, First Department, ensued.
The AD1 was of the opinion the grandmother lacked standing to seek visitation under New York law -- specifically, N.Y. Domestic Relations Law Section 72(1). The record established the grandmother visited the children only once after they were placed in foster care and had not made any effort to establish a relationship with them.
Even if standing existed, the AD1 didn't think visitation rights would be in the children's best interest since she lacked any meaningful relationship with them. (The grandmother conceded that the kids wouldn't recognize her and would consider her a stranger.)
Finally, the AD1 was of the view granting visitation would confuse the youngsters and expose them to "issues of abandonment."
If you ask us, that ain't such a grand outcome.
To download a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Matter of Ileana v. Admin. for Children's Services