New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services v. A.R.G.

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

LONG, Justice.

This appeal, which is before us as of right based on a dissent in the Appellate Division, Rule 2:2-1(a)(2), involves the meaning of the term “aggravated circumstances” in N.J.S.A. 30:4C-11.3(a), the existence of which excuses the Division of Youth and Family Services (“DYFS”) from providing statutorily required reasonable efforts at family reunification. Also implicated is the question of what process is' due a parent prior to the entry of a trial court’s initial finding of aggravated circumstances.

I

C.R.G., R.L.G., and A.J.G., aged 16,…