Opinion
12-13-2016
In re LANDYN M., A Dependent Child Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Laquanna W., Respondent–Appellant, Jewish Child Care Association of New York, Petitioner–Respondent.
Daniel R. Katz, New York, for appellant. Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (James M. Abramson of counsel), for respondent. Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Patricia Colella of counsel), attorney for the child.
Daniel R. Katz, New York, for appellant.Law Offices of James M. Abramson, PLLC, New York (James M. Abramson of counsel), for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Patricia Colella of counsel), attorney for the child.
TOM, J.P., FRIEDMAN, SAXE, FEINMAN, KAHN, JJ.
Order, Family Court, Bronx County (Robert D. Hettleman, J.), entered on or about August 31, 2015, which denied respondent mother's motion to vacate her default at a hearing to determine if she violated the conditions of a suspended judgment, thereby freeing the subject child for adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
We decline to reach respondent's argument, advanced for the first time on appeal, that the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) applies to the child. Were we to consider this argument, we would find that respondent has failed to show that she or the child is a member or is eligible for membership in an Indian Tribe such that the ICWA would apply (see 25 U.S.C. § 1903 [4]; Matter of Cain Keel L. [Derzerina L.], 78 A.D.3d 541, 542, 911 N.Y.S.2d 335 [1st Dept.2010], lv. dismissed 16 N.Y.3d 818, 920 N.Y.S.2d 777, 945 N.E.2d 1029 [2011] ).
We likewise decline to reach respondent's arguments, also advanced for the first time on appeal, that her attorney was ineffective for his failure to participate in the hearing, and that her due process rights were violated by proceeding in her absence. Were we to consider these arguments, we would find them unavailing since respondent's attorney made the prudent strategic choice to preserve for her the opportunity to move to vacate the default (see e.g. Matter of Lenea'jah F. [Makeba T.S.], 105 A.D.3d 514, 515, 963 N.Y.S.2d 105 [1st Dept.2013] ). Furthermore, contrary to respondent's contention, the record establishes that she was not dissuaded from bringing the instant appeal.