EXPERT WITNESSES CORROBORATED THE CHILD’S OUT-OF-COURT STATEMENTS IN THIS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASE; THE PETITION, DISMISSED BY FAMILY COURT, REINSTATED AND A FINDING OF ABUSE MADE BY THE APPELLATE COURT (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined that the child’s prior out-of-court statements should have been admitted in this child sexual abuse proceeding. The expert witnesses corroborated the child’s statements:

“A child’s prior out-of-court statements may provide the basis for a finding of abuse, provided that these hearsay statements are corroborated, so as to ensure their reliability'” . “Any other evidence tending to support the reliability of the previous statements . . . shall be sufficient corroboration” (Family Ct Act § 1046[a][vi]). ” The Family Court has considerable discretion in deciding whether a …  out-of-court statements alleging incidents of abuse have been reliably corroborated'” … . Although deference is to be given to the hearing court’s determinations as to credibility … , where that court’s credibility determination is not supported by the record, “this Court is free to make its own credibility assessments and overturn the determination of the hearing court” … .

Contrary to the Family Court’s determination, the testimony of the petitioner’s expert witnesses, including the validating expert witness … , provided sufficient corroboration of the subject child’s numerous and consistent out-of-court statements regarding the father’s sexual abuse of her, and together with the testimony of the petitioner’s caseworker, established by a preponderance of the evidence that the father sexually abused the child … . Further, the court failed to give sufficient consideration to the inconsistent and evasive nature of the father’s testimony … . Matter of Tazya B. (Curtis B.), 2020 NY Slip Op 01341, Second Dept 2-26-20