IN RE: SAMUEL W. (Anonymous). (2018)

DECISION & ORDER

In related proceedings pursuant to Family Court Act article 10, the mother appeals from an order of fact-finding of the Family Court, Kings County (Lillian Wan, J.), dated August 1, 2016.  The order of fact-finding, insofar as appealed from, upon a decision of the same court dated July 28, 2016, after a fact-finding hearing, found that the mother neglected the child Crystal G. and derivatively neglected the child Samuel W.

ORDERED that on the Court's own motion, the notice of appeal from the decision dated July 28, 2016, is deemed to be a premature notice of appeal from the order of fact-finding dated August 1, 2016 (see CPLR 5520[c] );  and it is further,

ORDERED that the order of fact-finding dated August 1, 2016, is affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.

The petitioner commenced this proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 10 alleging, inter alia, that the mother had neglected the child Crystal G. by inflicting excessive corporal punishment on her, and had derivatively neglected the child Samuel W. After a fact-finding hearing, the Family Court found that the mother had neglected Crystal G. and derivatively neglected Samuel W. The mother appeals.

At a fact-finding hearing in a neglect proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 10, the petitioner has the burden of proving neglect by a preponderance of the evidence (see Family Ct Act § 1046[b][i];  Matter of Tarelle J. [Walter J.], 152 A.D.3d 593, 594, 58 N.Y.S.3d 539).  “Although parents have a right to use reasonable physical force against a child in order to maintain discipline or to promote the child's welfare, the use of excessive corporal punishment constitutes neglect” (Matter of Cheryale B. [Michelle B.], 121 A.D.3d 976, 977, 995 N.Y.S.2d 135;  see Matter of Paul M. [Tina H.], 146 A.D.3d 961, 962, 48 N.Y.S.3d 679).

In a child protective proceeding, prior out-of-court statements may be received and, if properly corroborated, will support a finding of abuse or neglect (see Matter of Nicole V., 71 N.Y.2d 112, 118, 524 N.Y.S.2d 19, 518 N.E.2d 914;  Matter of Alexis S. [Edward S.], 115 A.D.3d 866, 866, 982 N.Y.S.2d 366).  Whether corroborative evidence tends to support the reliability of the out-of-court statements is a determination for the Family Court, which saw and heard the witnesses (see Matter of Era O. [Emmanuel O.], 145 A.D.3d 895, 898, 43 N.Y.S.3d 475;  Matter of Nah–Ki B. [Nakia B.], 143 A.D.3d 703, 706, 38 N.Y.S.3d 593).  “The rule requiring corroboration is flexible, and any other evidence tending to support the reliability of the child's statements may be sufficient corroboration” (Matter of Christopher L., 19 A.D.3d 597, 597, 797 N.Y.S.2d 535;  see Matter of Nicole V., 71 N.Y.2d at 124, 524 N.Y.S.2d 19, 518 N.E.2d 914).

Here, a preponderance of the evidence supports the Family Court's finding that the mother neglected Crystal G. by inflicting excessive corporal punishment on her (see Matter of Shaquan A. [Fan Fan A.], 137 A.D.3d 1119, 1120, 27 N.Y.S.3d 692;  Matter of Cheryale B. [Michelle B.], 121 A.D.3d at 977, 995 N.Y.S.2d 135).  Crystal G.'s out-of-court statements that the mother choked her were sufficiently corroborated by the observations of Crystal G.'s injuries by two caseworkers and two police officers, the child's medical records, and photographs of the injuries (see Matter of Nah–Ki B. [Nakia B.], 143 A.D.3d at 704, 38 N.Y.S.3d 593;  Matter of Jallah J. [George J.], 118 A.D.3d 1000, 1001, 989 N.Y.S.2d 91).  Although the mother disputed the allegations, the court's determination that the mother's version of events lacked credibility is entitled to deference and is supported by the record (see Matter of Sarah W. [Barbara G.F.], 122 A.D.3d 931, 932, 997 N.Y.S.2d 164;  Matter of Jahani K. [Felicia K.], 111 A.D.3d 832, 833, 976 N.Y.S.2d 100).  Further, the court did not err in rejecting Crystal G.'s in-court partial recantation of her prior out-of-court statements (see Matter of Dayannie I.M. [Roger I.M.], 138 A.D.3d 747, 748, 29 N.Y.S.3d 61;  Matter of Luis N.P. [Alquiber R.], 127 A.D.3d 1201, 1202, 8 N.Y.S.3d 381;  Matter of Charlie S. [Rong S.], 82 A.D.3d 1248, 1249, 920 N.Y.S.2d 187;  Matter of Tristan R., 63 A.D.3d 1075, 1077, 883 N.Y.S.2d 229).

The evidence was also sufficient to support the Family Court's determination that the child Samuel W. was derivatively neglected (see Matter of Nurridin B. [Louis J.], 116 A.D.3d 770, 772, 982 N.Y.S.2d 910;  Matter of Matthew M. [Fatima M.], 109 A.D.3d 472, 472, 970 N.Y.S.2d 271).

The mother's remaining contention is without merit.

RIVERA, J.P., CHAMBERS, ROMAN and IANNACCI, JJ., concur.