Opinion
03-03-2015
In re JAYDEN C., also known as Baby Boy C., A Child Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Luisanny A., Respondent–Appellant, Administration for Children's Services, Petitioner–Respondent.
Kenneth M. Tuccillo, Hastings on Hudson, for appellant. Zachary W. Carter, Corporation Counsel, New York (Ingrid R. Gustafson of counsel), for respondent. Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Diane Pazar of counsel), attorney for the child.
Kenneth M. Tuccillo, Hastings on Hudson, for appellant.Zachary W. Carter, Corporation Counsel, New York (Ingrid R. Gustafson of counsel), for respondent.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Diane Pazar of counsel), attorney for the child.
Opinion Order, Family Court, Bronx County (Joan L. Piccarillo, J.), entered on or about February 28, 2014, which granted the motion for summary judgment of petitioner Administration for Children's Services, finding that respondent mother derivatively abused the subject child, unanimously affirmed, without costs. Appeal from order, same court and Justice, entered on or about January 22, 2014, which denied respondent's application pursuant to Family Court Act § 1028 for return of the subject child, unanimously dismissed, as moot, without costs.
Petitioner agency made a prima facie showing of derivative abuse as to the subject child based on the prior findings of abuse against respondent with respect to her older children, including a finding that she abused her then one-year-old daughter who suffered severe head trauma consistent with a violent shaking. These prior findings, entered less than two years prior to the filing of the instant petition which was bought five days after the subject child's birth, were sufficiently close in time to support the conclusion that respondent's parental judgment remained impaired (see Matter of Nhyashanti A. [Evelyn B.], 102 A.D.3d 470, 956 N.Y.S.2d 887 [1st Dept.2013] ; Matter of Brianna R. [Marisol G.], 78 A.D.3d 437, 437–438, 910 N.Y.S.2d 71 [1st Dept.2010], lv. denied 16 N.Y.3d 702, 2011 WL 135698 [2011] ). Accordingly, the derivative finding of neglect was supported by a preponderance of the evidence (see Family Ct. Act § 1046[b][i] ).
Contrary to respondent's argument, the entry of the abuse finding, which was entered on consent, constitutes proof that her older child was abused, and was admissible on the issue of derivative abuse (see Matter of William N. [Kimberly H.], 118 A.D.3d 703, 705, 987 N.Y.S.2d 406 [2d Dept.2014] ).
Respondent failed to raise “a triable issue of fact concerning an amelioration of the conditions that led to the original finding” (Matter of Takia B., 73 A.D.3d 575, 576, 902 N.Y.S.2d 515 [1st Dept.2010] ). Notably, the two older children had not yet been returned to respondent based on findings that their continued placement was required in furtherance of their best interests and safety needs. Further, respondent's testimony demonstrated that she continued to lack parental judgment and that she had not fully complied with service referrals.
ACOSTA, J.P., ANDRIAS, SAXE, DeGRASSE, RICHTER, JJ., concur.