Children’s Hearsay Alleging Abuse by Father Was Not Corroborated; Change in Custody Should Not Have Been Granted

In reversing Family Court’s grant of the mother’s petition to modify a prior order of custody, the Third Department determined the children’s hearsay statements alleging abuse by the father was not corroborated, and therefore could not form the basis of a modification of custody:

Inasmuch as Family Ct Act § 1046 (a) (vi) is applicable to custody proceedings based upon allegations of abuse, the children’s out-of-court statements are excepted from the hearsay rule, but must be corroborated …. *  *  * Because the  children’s out-of-court statements were not corroborated, Family Court’s finding of a change in circumstances lacks a sound and substantial basis in the record.  Matter of Zukowski v Zukowski, 514074, 3rd Dept, 5-16-13