N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 321.1

§ 321.1. Entry of an admission or a denial. 1. At the initial\nappearance the respondent shall admit or deny each charge contained in\nthe petition unless the petition is dismissed or the proceeding\notherwise terminated.\n 2. If the respondent refuses to admit or deny each such charge or\nremains mute, the court must enter a denial in his behalf as to any\ncharge neither admitted nor denied.\n