Child Not Yet Born When Father Neglected Siblings Was Properly Found to Be Derivatively Neglected
The Second Department determined that a child who had not been born at the time father was found to have neglected two siblings was properly determined to be derivatively neglected by the father:
“In determining whether a child born after underlying acts of abuse or neglect should be adjudicated derivatively abused or neglected, the determinative factor is whether, taking into account the nature of the conduct and any other pertinent considerations, the conduct which formed the basis for a finding of abuse or neglect as to one child is so proximate in time to the derivative proceeding that it can reasonably be concluded that the condition still exists'” … . If such a showing is made, ” the condition is presumed to exist currently and the respondent has the burden of proving that the conduct or condition cannot reasonably be expected to exist currently or in the foreseeable future'” … .
Here, the conduct which formed the basis for the Family Court's finding that the father neglected the subject child's two older siblings was “so proximate in time to [this proceeding] that it can reasonably be concluded that the condition still exists” …, and the father failed to complete the programs mandated by the prior order of disposition relating to the older siblings … . Thus, ACS [Administration for Child Services] demonstrated that the father derivatively neglected the subject child, and because the father ” failed to present any evidence to either rebut [ACS's] prima facie case or establish that the condition leading to [the] neglect finding as to the other child[ren] no longer existed,'” the derivative neglect finding was proper … . Matter of Madison B…, 2014 NY Slip Op 08991, 2nd Dept 12-24-14