IN RE: ALAYSHA M. (2011)

In this proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 10, respondent father contends that Family Court erred in finding that he derivatively abused the children who are the subject of this proceeding, based on the finding that he had severely abused one of his other children, resulting in the child's death. We note at the outset that the father improperly appealed from an order dispensing with the requirement that reasonable efforts be made to reunite the father with the subject children rather than from the correct subsequent order of fact-finding and disposition. Nevertheless, we exercise our discretion to treat the notice of appeal as valid and deem the appeal as properly taken from the subsequent order (see CPLR 5520[c]; Matter of Morgan P., 60 AD3d 1362).

Contrary to the father's contention, the finding of derivative abuse is appropriate in view of the nature and severity of the abuse of the child who died (see Family Ct Act § 1046[a][i]; Matter of Marino S., 100 N.Y.2d 361, 373–374, cert denied 540 U.S. 1059; Matter of Keara MM., 84 AD3d 1442, 1444; Matter of Nicole H., 12 AD3d 182, 183). Inasmuch as the father has surrendered his parental rights with respect to the subject children, his further contention that the court erred in granting petitioner's motion seeking a finding pursuant to Family Court Act § 1039–b (a) that it is no longer required to make reasonable efforts to reunite the subject children with the father is now moot (see Matter of Randi NN., 80 AD3d 1086, 1087, lv denied 16 NY3d 712; see also Matter of Jaime S., 32 AD3d 1198). The exception to the mootness doctrine does not apply under these circumstances (see Randi NN., 80 AD3d at 1087; Matter of Simeon F., 58 AD3d 1081, 1081–1082, lv denied 12 NY3d 709). We have reviewed the father's remaining contentions and conclude that none warrants reversal.

It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.

MEMORANDUM: