Opinion
December 7, 1979
Appeal from the Wayne County Family Court.
Present — Hancock, Jr., J.P., Schnepp, Callahan, Doerr and Moule, JJ.
Order unanimously reversed, with costs, and petition dismissed. Memorandum: Absent a finding of abuse or unreasonable parental demands, it is an improper use of judicial discretion to direct reimbursement by a parent to the Department of Social Services for public assistance rendered to a minor who has abandoned her home. Although the statutory obligation of parents to support a child (Family Ct Act, § 415; Social Services Law, § 101) is stated in mandatory terms, a child who voluntarily and without good cause abandons the parents' home forfeits her right to support (Matter of Parker v. Stage, 43 N.Y.2d 128; Matter of Roe v. Doe, 29 N.Y.2d 188; Wayne County Dept. of Social Servs. v. Crossley, 60 A.D.2d 794).