Matter of Leia R.

Opinion

Matter of Leia R.

2026 NY Slip Op 04508

July 22, 2026

Appellate Division, Second Department

Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.

This decision is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.

In the Matter of Leia R. (Anonymous), appellant.

Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department

Decided on July 22, 2026

2025-07368, (Docket No. D-20410-24)

Francesca E. Connolly, J.P.

Helen Voutsinas

Donna-Marie E. Golia

Susan Quirk, JJ.

Christopher J. Clayton, County Attorney, Central Islip, NY (James G. Bernet of counsel), for respondent.

Geanine Towers, Brooklyn, NY, for appellant.

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DECISION & ORDER

In a juvenile delinquency proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 3, Leia R. appeals from an order of the Family Court, Suffolk County (George F. Harkin, J.), dated May 15, 2025. The order granted the Suffolk County Attorney's motion, in effect, pursuant to Family Court Act § 355.1(2) to modify an order of fact-finding and disposition of the same court dated February 27, 2025, and placed Leia R. in the custody of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services for placement in a limited secure facility for a period of 12 months, effective February 27, 2025.

ORDERED that the appeal is dismissed as academic, without costs or disbursements.

The only issues raised by the appellant concern her placement in the custody of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services for placement in a limited secure facility for a period of 12 months. As the period of placement has expired, the appeal must be dismissed as academic (see Matter of Daniel D., 231 AD3d 1154, 1154-1155; Matter of Mark E.D., 228 AD3d 935, 935; Matter of Oscar R.M., 213 AD3d 855, 855). Contrary to the appellant's contention, this matter does not warrant invoking the exception to the mootness doctrine (see Matter of Hearst Corp. v Clyne, 50 NY2d 707, 714).

CONNOLLY, J.P., VOUTSINAS, GOLIA and QUIRK, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Darrell M. Joseph

Clerk of the Court