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RESPONDENT, THE CHILDREN’S UNCLE WHO LIVED WITH THE CHILDREN’S FAMILY, WAS A FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENT OF A PARENT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEEMED A PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN IN THIS SEXUAL ABUSE PROCEEDING (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined respondent, the children’s uncle who lived with the children’s family, was a person legally responsible for the children who had sexually abused the children:

“Determining whether a particular person has acted as the functional equivalent of a parent is a discretionary, fact-intensive inquiry which will vary according to the particular circumstances of each case. Factors such as the frequency and nature of the contact between the child and respondent, the nature and extent of the control exercised by the respondent over the child’s environment, the duration of the respondent’s contact with the child, and the respondent’s relationship to the child’s parent(s) are some of the variables which should be considered and weighed by a court” … . These factors are not exhaustive, “but merely illustrate some of the salient considerations in making an appropriate determination” … . * * *

… [T]he respondent, the paternal uncle of Yasmin P. and Hilary P., continually resided in the same apartment with Yasmin P. and Hilary P. for approximately five years. In addition, the respondent’s brother testified during the fact-finding hearing that the respondent told him that the respondent considered both the respondent’s family and the respondent’s brother’s family, including Yasmin P. and Hilary P., to be one big family (see Family Ct Act § 1012[g] …). The respondent also exercised control over Yasmin P.’s and Hilary P.’s environment during the relevant period by freely accessing their bedroom and the common areas of the apartment, including when Yasmin P. and Hilary P. were home and their parents were away at work or running errands, and by controlling Yasmin P. with commands or the promise of gifts. Accordingly, the evidence adduced at the fact-finding hearing established that the respondent was a person legally responsible for Yasmin P. and Hilary P. Matter of Marjorie P. (Gerardo M. P.), 2023 NY Slip Op 05734, Second Dept 11-15-23

Practice Point: Here the children’s uncle, who lived with the children’s family, should have been deemed a person legally responsible for the children in this sexual abuse proceeding.

 

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