THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTED THE FINDING OF A SINGLE INSTANCE OF NEGLECT OF FATHER’S 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER; BUT THAT EVIDENCE DID NOT SUPPORT A FINDING OF DERIVATIVE NEGLECT RE: FATHER’S YOUNGER DAUGHTER (SECOND DEPT). ​

The Second Department, reversing (modifying) Family Court, determined the evidence supporting the finding that father abused his 14-year-old daughter, Heymi M., on one occasion on a camping trip, but that evidence did not support the finding of derivative neglect re: the younger child, Katherine L.:

… [T]here was a nine-year age difference between Heymi M., the child found to have been abused, and the other child, Katherine L. Moreover, the evidence adduced at the hearing shows that the children had different mothers, different living situations, and markedly different relationships with the father. Among other things, the younger child, Katherine L., lived with the father for her entire life but the older child, Heymi M., only started having contact with the father approximately one year before the incident of abuse. Additionally, the record reflects that the abuse occurred on one occasion outside the home, Katherine L. was not in the room when it occurred, and there is no evidence that Katherine L. was aware of the abuse…. . Matter of Katherine L. (Adrian L.), 2022 NY Slip Op 05691, Second Dept 10-12-22

Practice Point: The finding that father abused his 14-year-old daughter on one occasion on a camping trip did not support the finding of derivative neglect re: father’s younger daughter.