Ordered that the order of disposition is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
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; Matter of W. Children, 256 AD2d 412, 413; Matter of Commissioner of Social Servs. v Margaret D., 221 AD2d 439). Moreover, the appellant failed to set forth a meritorious defense to the allegations in the petition ( see Family Ct Act § 1042).