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Suspended Sentence for Non-Payment of Support Could Not Be Revoked Without Hearing

The Fourth Department ruled that Family Court could not revoke a suspended jail sentence for non-payment of support by the father without giving the father the chance to rebut the allegations against him:

The Support Magistrate previously had issued an order “on consent” in November 2011 (November order), setting forth that the father admitted that he willfully violated the February order and finding him in willful violation of the February order. The Support Magistrate imposed a sentence of four months in jail but suspended the sentence on the condition that the father did not miss two consecutive support payments. *  *  *

Although the court had the discretion to revoke the suspension of the jail sentence, the court erred in doing so without first affording the father “an opportunity to be heard and to present witnesses . . . on the issue whether good cause existed to revoke the suspension of the sentence” (Matter of Thompson v Thompson, 59 AD3d 1104, 1105, quoting Family Ct Act § 433 [a] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Ontario County Dept. of Social Servs. v Hinckley, 226 AD2d 1126, 1126). “No specific form of a hearing is required, but at a minimum the hearing must consist of an adducement of proof coupled with an opportunity to rebut it” (Thompson, 59 AD3d at 1105 [internal quotation marks omitted]). “ ‘[I]t is well settled that neither a colloquy between a respondent and Family Court nor between a respondent’s counsel and the court is sufficient to constitute the required hearing’ ” (id.). Here, there was only the admission of nonpayment by the father’s attorney, which was insufficient (see id.), and there was no opportunity for the father to present evidence rebutting the allegations against him.  In the Matter of Davis v Bond, 281, CAF 12-00553, 4th Dept. 3-15-13

 

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Insufficient Proof to Support “Medical Neglect” Finding

The First Department reversed Family Court’s finding of medical neglect related to a five-month-old’s fractured femur.  Family Court accepted the proof that the baby, for the first time in his life, rolled over and fell off a couch when the father left him briefly to throw away a soiled diaper.  Family Court’s medical-neglect determination was based on testimony that the fracture “would cause the child evident pain…” and the length of time between the accident and when medical attention was sought.  The First Department noted the proof that swelling would not be immediately apparent and that a hairline fracture would not cause much pain until it progressed into a full fracture, as well as a video of the child showing no movement problems or signs of pain. In light of proof the child may not have exhibited symptoms of pain, the First Department determined the finding of neglect was not supported by a preponderance of the evidence. In re Amir L., 2013 NY Slip Op 01617, 9277-9278-9279, 1st Dept. 3-14-13

 

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“Aid of the Court No Longer Required” in Neglect Proceeding

The grandmother and mother of a seven-month-old were found to have neglected the child by briefly leaving the child unattended in the kitchen sink with the water running when the hot water “spiked” causing burns.  The mother and grandmother moved to dismiss the petition pursuant to Family Court Act 1051 (c) on the ground aid of the court was not required.  The Second Department noted that the facts were sufficient to sustain the petition, but determined the petition should be dismissed because the aid of the court was not required.  Following the incident the mother completed all the programs required by children’s services, the grandmother attended parenting classes with the mother voluntarily, the child was returned to the mother 18 months before the hearing, home visits confirmed the child was not left unattended and was bathed properly, and the hot water “spikes” had been eliminated. The Second Department wrote:  “The foregoing demonstrates that the incident on which the petition was based was an isolated one, that the mother and grandmother have been rehabilitated, and that the child is no longer at risk of being neglected …”.  Matter of Kayden H., 2013 NY Slip Op 01549, 2011-09702, 2011-09704, Docket No N-22472-09, 2nd Dept. 3-13-13

 

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Failure to Hold a Hearing on Mother’s Petition for Custody and Failure to Inform Father of Right to Counsel Required Reversal of Custody Determination

The Second Department determined Family Court’s failure to hold a hearing to determine the mother’s petition for custody, and the Court’s failure to advise the father that he had the right to counsel, required reversal of the grant of custody to the mother.  In the Matter of Savoca v Bellofatto, 2012-02935, Docket No V-22033-11, Second Dept 3-6-13

 

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Standard for Upward Child Support Modification, Agreement Incorporated But Not Merged.

This case, which was not affected by the 2010 amendment to Family Court Act section 451(2)(a), includes a clear discussion of the criteria for an upward modification of a child support obligation where a party is seeking to modify “a child support provision derived from an agreement or stipulation incorporated but not merged into a divorce decree…”.  The party seeking modification “has the burden of proving that the agreement was unfair or inequitable when entered into or that an unanticipated and unreasonable change of circumstances has occurred resulting in a concomitant increased need or that the needs of the child are not being adequately met…”.  Matter of Overbaugh vs Schettini, 515079 Third Dept. 2-14-13

 

Neglect for Allowing Children to Be Driven by Intoxicated Driver.

A finding of neglect based upon the respondent’s allowing the mother of the children to drive with the children when she was intoxicated (.10%) was affirmed by the Third Department. Matter of Darcy Y., 514430 Third Dept. 2-14-13

 

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Court Did Not Have Power to Amend Child Support, Maintenance Judgment.

In reversing an “amended judgment” in which the judge purported to correct an error in the calculation of child support and maintenance arrears, the Fourth Department noted: “a court has no power to reduce or increase the amount of a judgment when there is no clerical error…”. Meenan vs Meenan, 1493, CA12-01885 Fourth Dept. 2-8-13

 

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Right to Counsel.

In a proceeding pursuant to part three, article six of the Family Court Act to allow a mother visitation with her child in her home, the Fourth Department determined the grandmother, who had primary physical custody of the child, should have been advised of her right to assigned counsel (Family Court Act section 262 (a)(iii)).  The court’s failure to so advise her constituted reversible error.  Matter of Wright vs Walker, 11, CA-12-00962 Fourth Dept. 2-1-13

 

Neglect Finding Based On Single Incident Reversed.

The First Department reversed a finding of neglect of a child which was based on a single incident.  There is a brief but substantive discussion of neglect or abuse findings based upon a single incident.  In re Pria J. L., et al, 8841 First Dept. 1-29-13

 

Father Estopped from Denying Paternity

Before a party can be estopped from denying paternity the court must be convinced applying equitable estoppel is in the best interest of the child.  Here the child was eight years old, knew the respondent as her father, with his encouragement, and relied on respondent to be her father.  Family Court’s finding the respondent was equitably estopped from asserting nonpaternity was correct.  Commissioner of Social Services vs. Julio, J., No. 57, SSM 44, CtApp, 1-10-13

 

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