In re Alexander M.

Oct 11, 2011
Versions:88 A.D.3d 794
930 N.Y.S.2d 893
930 N.Y.2d 893

In a child protective proceeding, the petitioner has the burden of proving neglect by a preponderance of the evidence (see Family Ct Act § 1046 [b] [i]; Matter of Philip M., 82 NY2d 238 [1993]; Matter of Tammie Z., 66 NY2d 1 [1985]; Matter of Besthani M., 13 AD3d 452 [2004]). Here, contrary to the appellant‘s contention, the Family Court‘s finding of neglect based on the use of excessive corporal punishment is supported by a preponderance of the evidence (see Family Ct Act § 1012 [f] [i] [B]; § 1046 [b] [i]; Matter of Chanyae S. [Rena W.], 82 AD3d 1247 [2011]; Matter of Isaiah S., 63 AD3d 948 [2009]; Matter of Joshua B., 28 AD3d 759 [2006]; Matter of Joseph O., 28 AD3d 562 [2006]).

“[P]revious statements made by the child relating to any allegations of abuse or neglect shall be admissible in evidence, but if uncorroborated, such statements shall not be sufficient to make a fact-finding of abuse or neglect. Any other evidence tending to support the reliability of the previous statements . . . shall be sufficient corroboration” (Family Ct Act § 1046 [a] [vi]). The Family Court has considerable discretion to decide whether a child‘s out-of-court statements describing incidents of abuse have, in fact, been reliably corroborated and whether the record as a whole supports such a finding (see Matter of Christina F., 74 NY2d 532, 536 [1989]; Matter of Besthani M., 13 AD3d at 453).

Here, the subject children‘s out-of-court statements were sufficiently corroborated (see Matter of Joshua B., 28 AD3d at 760-761; Matter of Besthani M., 13 AD3d at 453). Viewing the record as a whole, and according great deference to the Family Court‘s credibility determinations (see Matter of Joseph O., 28 AD3d at 563), we discern no basis to disturb the Family Court‘s finding of neglect (see Matter of Joshua B., 28 AD3d at 761). Angiolillo, J.P, Dickerson, Chambers and Lott, JJ., concur.