IN RE: DAMIEN S. (2007)

Contrary to the contention of respondent father in this proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 10, the weight of the evidence supports the finding of Family Court that he abused his child (see generally § 1046 [b] [i] ).   Petitioner established a prima facie case of child abuse by presenting evidence that the child suffered from shaken baby syndrome, an injury that “would ordinarily not occur absent an act or omission of [the father], and ․ that [he was] the caretaker[ ] of the child at the time the injury occurred” (Matter of Philip M., 82 N.Y.2d 238, 243, 604 N.Y.S.2d 40, 624 N.E.2d 168;  see § 1046[a][ii] ).   Although the father attempted to meet his burden of rebutting that prima facie case by presenting evidence that other persons were present in the household when the child's injury occurred (see generally Philip M., 82 N.Y.2d at 244, 604 N.Y.S.2d 40, 624 N.E.2d 168), the court found that none of those persons was responsible for the abuse. “[W]e find no basis upon which to disturb [that] finding, which was based primarily on the court's resolution of credibility” (Matter of Seamus K., 33 A.D.3d 1030, 1033, 822 N.Y.S.2d 168).

It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from be and the same hereby is unanimously affirmed without costs.

MEMORANDUM: