You are here: / / HERE A SINGLE INCIDENT OF ALLEGED EXCESSIVE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (GRABBING...
, ,

HERE A SINGLE INCIDENT OF ALLEGED EXCESSIVE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (GRABBING THE CHILD’S ARM AND SQUEEZING TIGHTLY) WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE NEGLECT FINDING; A NEGLECT FINDING CANNOT BE BASED UPON ALLEGATIONS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PETITION (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court’s neglect finding and dismissing the petition, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Voutsinas, determined the evidence of a single incident of alleged excessive corporal punishment (grabbing the child’s arm and squeezing it tightly) was not enough. The Second Department further noted that a neglect finding cannot be based on allegations not included in the petition:

This appeal concerns a finding of neglect against a parent in a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 10, based upon an alleged incident of excessive corporal punishment. This appeal does not present us with an opportunity to resolve a novel legal question. It does, however, provide us with an opportunity to provide some guidance with regard to when a single incident of excessive corporal punishment may be sufficient to support a finding of neglect. This appeal also presents us with the opportunity to emphasize that a finding of neglect must be based on evidence establishing the allegations set forth in the petition before the court. Absent additional allegations set forth in an amended petition that conforms to the proof with notice to the respondent, the court must not base a finding of neglect on allegations not set forth in the petition. * * *

The petition alleged, more specifically, that on or about June 7, 2021, the father had grabbed the child’s arm and squeezed it “really, really hard,” leaving “three circular, dark green marks” on the child’s shoulder, which appeared to be the size of finger prints.” The petition did not contain any allegations that the father had engaged in any other acts of aggression toward the child or regarding any misuse of alcohol. Matter of Elina M. (Leonard M.), 2024 NY Slip Op 06574, Second Dept 12-24-24

Practice Point: Consult this comprehensive opinion for a discussion of when a neglect finding can be based upon a single incident of alleged excessive corporal punishment.

 

You might also like
PLAINTIFF, WHO HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY, DID NOT DEMONSTRATE FREEDOM FROM COMPARATIVE FAULT IN THIS BUS-CAR COLLISION CASE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED.
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON THE ISSUE OF MOTHER’S NEGLECT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED (SECOND DEPT).
Complaint Stated Causes of Action for Breach of Contract and Fraud—Plaintiff Agreed to Forgo Compensation for Work Done for Defendant in Return for a Stake in Defendant’s Business—Defendant Terminated the Relationship Without Paying Plaintiff
Non-Party Attorneys Properly Held in Civil Contempt for Starting a Class Action Suit In Violation of Anti-Suit Injunctive Order
THE TRIAL JUDGE DID NOT GIVE COUNSEL MEANINGFUL NOTICE OF A SUBSTANTIVE JURY NOTE; NEW TRIAL ORDERED (SECOND DEPT). ​
Husband, Criminally Responsible for the Death of His Mother-in-Law, Could Not Inherit the Mother-in-Law’s Estate Indirectly After the Death of His Wife
PLAINTIFF WAS LEANING INSIDE THE OPEN DOOR OF A VAN WHEN THE VAN SUDDENLY MOVED FORWARD; THE RELATED VIOLATION OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW CONSTITUTED NEGLIGENCE PER SE; PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED (SECOND DEPT).
PLAINTIFF WAS STRUCK BY A PIECE OF UNSECURED PLYWOOD WHICH FELL, PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON HIS LABOR LAW 240 (1) CAUSE OF ACTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED (SECOND DEPT).

Categories

Sign Up for the Mailing List to Be Notified When the Site Is Updated.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2026 New York Appellate Digest, Inc.
Site by CurlyHost | Privacy Policy

WITNESS TESTIMONY DEMONSTRATED CLAIMANT LOST CONTROL OF HIS MOTORCYCLE AFTER... DEFENDANT SCHOOL DISTRICT DID NOT DEMONSTRATE IT DID NOT HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE...