In re Karl W.

Order unanimously reversed on the law without costs and matter remitted to Onondaga County Family Court for a new fact-finding hearing. Memorandum: In this abuse and neglect proceeding, Family Court erred in ordering the Law Guardian, appointed pursuant to Family Court Act §§ 241 and 249 (a), to refrain from contacting the children whom she represented. We cannot perceive how the Law Guardian can act effectively to protect children in the course of a fact-finding hearing in the absence of meaningful communication with them (see generally, Matter of Orlando F., 40 NY2d 103, 112). Thus, Family…