IN RE: C.F. (2023)

Order of fact-finding and disposition (one paper) of the Family Court, Bronx County (Cynthia Lopez, J.), entered on or about November 7, 2022, insofar as it determined, after a hearing, that respondent father sexually abused the subject child, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

A preponderance of the evidence supports Family Court's finding that the father sexually abused the child (see Family Court Act §§ 1012[e][iii][A], 1046[b][1];  Matter of Jani Faith B. [Craig S.], 104 A.D.3d 508, 509, 961 N.Y.S.2d 135 [1st Dept. 2013]).  The child's sworn testimony at the fact-finding hearing constituted competent evidence that the father raped the child during their overnight visit at the paternal aunt's home when the child was nine years old (see Matter of Brittney B. [Marcelo B.], 211 A.D.3d 426, 180 N.Y.S.3d 15 [1st Dept. 2022]).  There is no basis for disturbing the Family Court's credibility determinations, including its evaluation of the child's testimony regarding the child's detailed description of the actions of the father and the child's reaction during and after the acts.  The court's determination of the witnesses’ credibility was based on observations of their demeanor and testimony, and the court rejected the father's blanket denial that he ever sexually abused the child, despite admitting that he did have an overnight visit with the child in December 2018 and determined that his testimony was not credible.  We find no basis to overturn this credibility determination, which should be accorded deference on appeal (see Matter of Irene O., 38 N.Y.2d 776, 777, 381 N.Y.S.2d 865, 345 N.E.2d 337 [1975];  Matter of Brittney B. [Marcelo B.], 211 A.D.3d at 426, 180 N.Y.S.3d 15).

The father argues that inconsistencies between allegations in the petition and the child's testimony undermine the finding of abuse.  However, these statements, of which there is no proof and which the child, in fact, denied, at most consisted of hearsay accounts of the child's prior statements and are insufficient to impeach her testimony (see Matter of Melissa P., 261 A.D.2d 141, 142, 689 N.Y.S.2d 481 [1st Dept. 1999]) and do not undermine the child's testimony in any event (see Matter of Jeffrey A., 147 A.D.3d 660, 46 N.Y.S.3d 884 [1st Dept. 2017]).

The father argues that ACS failed to conform the pleadings to the proof.  As a threshold matter, this argument is unpreserved and we decline to review it in the interest of justice (see Matter of Anthony G. v. Stephanie H., 189 A.D.3d 615, 616, 134 N.Y.S.3d 712 [1st Dept. 2020]).  Even if this Court were to consider the father's argument, we would find it unavailing.  Contrary to the father's argument, the manner in which the father penetrated the child is of no consequence relative to the alleged Penal Law violations, most of which encompass the unlawful sexual contact testified to by the child.

Furthermore, the father's argument that he received ineffective assistance of counsel is likewise unpreserved and unavailing (see Matter of Judith L.C. v. Lawrence Y., 179 A.D.3d 616, 617, 118 N.Y.S.3d 573 [1st Dept. 2020]).  The father's counsel actively participated in the proceedings by cross-examining the child, conducting examinations of the father and his two witnesses, the paternal aunt and the father's ex-girlfriend, and making arguments and objections to the court (see e.g. Matter of Devin M. [Margaret W.], 119 A.D.3d 435, 437, 989 N.Y.S.2d 35 [1st Dept. 2014]).  The father's speculation that favorable evidence might have been offered on his behalf is not sufficient to demonstrate prejudice constituting ineffective assistance (see Matter of Anthony G. v. Stephanie H., 189 A.D.3d at 616, 134 N.Y.S.3d 712).

We have considered the father's remaining arguments and find them unavailing.