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In the Matter of John R. Administration for Children's Services, Respondent Charles M., (Proceeding No. 1.) In the Matter of Phillip R. Administration for Children's Services, Respondent Charles M., (Proceeding No. 2.)
545 The Family Court providently exercised its discretion in denying the motion of the appellant, a “person legally responsible for the child’s care” (Family Ct Act § 1042), to vacate the fact-finding order entered upon his default in appearing at the fact-finding hearing, as the record showed that he “willfully refused to appear at the hearing” (id.; see Matter of Nicholas S., 46 AD3d 830 [2007]; Matter of W. Children, 256 AD2d 412, 413 [1998]; Matter of Commissioner of Social Servs. v Margaret D., 221 AD2d 439 [1995]).
Moreover, the appellant failed to set forth a meritorious defense to the allegations in the petition (see Family Ct Act § 1042). Fisher, J.P., Dillon, McCarthy and Belen, JJ., concur.