THE EVIDENCE FATHER NEGLECTED THE DAUGHTER (EXCESSIVE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT) WAS SUFFICIENT; BUT THE EVIDENCE FATHER DERIVATIVELY NEGLECTED THE SON WAS NOT (FIRST DEPT).
The First Department, reversing (modifying Family Court) determined the evidence father derivatively neglected the son was insufficient:
Family Court’s determination that respondent derivatively neglected his son J.L. was not supported by a preponderance of the evidence. The finding was based entirely on the excessive corporal punishment of the daughter, which took place outside the home. There was no evidence that respondent’s excessive corporal punishment was ever directed at the older child, who was 14 years old at the time, or that he was even aware of the abuse. Furthermore, there was no evidence that the son was at risk of becoming impaired, as he continued to reside with respondent after the petitions were filed … . Matter of C.L. (Edward L.), 2023 NY Slip Op 01260, First Dept 3-14-23
Practice Point: There was no evidence the son was even aware of father’s excessive corporal punishment of the daughter, which took place outside the home. The evidence father derivatively neglected the son was insufficient.
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