IN RE: Madison H. (2012)

Second amended order of fact-finding and disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Monica Drinane, J.), entered on or about November 29, 2011, which, to the extent appealed from as limited by the briefs, following a fact-finding hearing, determined that respondent father had neglected the subject child, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

The finding of neglect was supported by a preponderance of the evidence (see Family Ct Act §§ 1012[f]; 1046[b] ). The evidence, including the testimony of the mother and medical experts, shows that the child suffered an injury that would not ordinarily occur absent an act or omission of a caretaker, and that the father was the caretaker of the child at the time the injury occurred (see Family Ct Act § 1046[a][ii] ). The court cited the father's demeanor and disruptive courtroom behavior, and refused to credit the father's denial that he had abused the child. This credibility finding is entitled to great weight and we decline the invitation to find the contrary (see Matter of Irene O., 38 N.Y.2d 776, 777 [1975] ).

Family Court, at the conclusion of the fact-finding hearing, properly amended the petition to conform to the proof of domestic violence. The record shows that the father had ample notice that domestic violence was at issue and an ample opportunity to cross-examine the mother about her claims (see Family Ct Act § 1051[b]; Matter of Carmen L., 37 A.D.3d 468, 828 N.Y.S.2d 898 [2d Dept 2007], lv denied 8 NY3d 814 [2007] ). Moreover, the mother's testimony that the father had swung the child in his arm during an argument with the mother, was sufficient additional proof that the child's physical, mental, or emotional condition was in imminent danger of impairment as a result of the father's domestic violence (see Family Ct Act § 1012[f][i]; Matter of Ndeye D. [Benjamin D.], 85 A.D.3d 1026, 1027–1028, 926 N.Y.S.2d 119 [2d Dept 2011] ).