New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services v. P.C.

The opinion of the court was delivered by

MAVEN, J.A.D.

Defendant P.C. appeals from a Family Part order determining she neglected the emotional needs of her teenaged daughter O.B. (Olivia).1 At the commencement of a fact-finding hearing on the complaint filed by plaintiff the Division of Youth and Family Services2 (the Division) concerning conduct by B.C., defendant’s former husband, the trial judge suggested sua sponte the facts “could rise” to support a finding of neglect against defendant, even though the Division’s complaint had not alleged substantive allegations that she had abused or…