2006 New York Code - Effect Of Death, Absence, Or Mental Illness Of Mother.

 
    §  518.  Effect of death, absence, or mental illness of mother. If, at
  any time before or after a petition is filed, the mother dies or becomes
  mentally ill or cannot be found within the state, neither the proceeding
  nor the right  to  commence  the  proceeding  shall  abate  but  may  be
  commenced  or continued by any of the persons authorized by this article
  to commence a paternity proceeding.