OWEN v. Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, appellant. (2024)

DECISION & ORDER

In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, the defendant Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Sabrina B. Kraus, J.), dated November 15, 2023.  The order denied that defendant's motion pursuant to CPLR 3211(a) to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against it.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with costs.

The plaintiff commenced this action pursuant to the Child Victims Act (see CPLR 214–g) against the defendant Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses (hereinafter the Governing Body), among others, alleging that the Governing Body was liable under different theories of negligence for sexual abuse perpetrated against the plaintiff by a ministerial servant named Robert Warne during the years 1965–1971, when the plaintiff was a member of the defendant Middleport Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Middleport, New York. The Governing Body moved pursuant to CPLR 3211(a) to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against it, contending, among other things, that dismissal was warranted pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7) and (8).  In an order dated November 15, 2023, the Supreme Court denied the motion.  The Governing Body appeals.

For the reasons stated in RKJW1 Doe v Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. (––– AD3d –––– [decided herewith]), the Supreme Court properly denied the Governing Body's motion pursuant to CPLR 3211(a) to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against it.

IANNACCI, J.P., MALTESE, WAN and GOLIA, JJ., concur.