IN RE: CORDEI A.-G. (Anonymous) (2023)

DECISION & ORDER

In a juvenile delinquency proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 3, Cordei A.-G. appeals from an order of fact-finding and disposition of the Family Court, Westchester County (Mary Anne Scattarretico–Naber, J.), dated December 10, 2021.  The order, insofar as appealed from, after a fact-finding hearing, found that Cordei A.-G. committed acts which, if committed by an adult, would have constituted the crimes of forcible touching and harassment in the first degree, and adjudicated him a juvenile delinquent.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.

The appellant's contention that the evidence was legally insufficient to establish that he committed acts which, if committed by an adult, would have constituted the crime of forcible touching (Penal Law § 130.52[1]) is unpreserved for appellate review (see Matter of Brandon S., 169 A.D.3d 1047, 92 N.Y.S.3d 903).  In any event, viewing the evidence adduced at the fact-finding hearing in the light most favorable to the presentment agency (see Matter of David H., 69 N.Y.2d 792, 513 N.Y.S.2d 111, 505 N.E.2d 621;  Matter of Christian W., 90 A.D.3d 1062, 937 N.Y.S.2d 594), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the appellant committed acts which, if committed by an adult, would have constituted the crime of forcible touching (see Matter of Traekwon I., 152 A.D.3d 431, 59 N.Y.S.3d 19;  Matter of Christian W., 90 A.D.3d 1062, 937 N.Y.S.2d 594).  Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the record, we accord great deference to the opportunity of the factfinder to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see Matter of Ernest S.C., 196 A.D.3d 565, 147 N.Y.S.3d 436).  Upon our review of the record, we are satisfied that the Family Court's fact-finding determination that the appellant committed acts which, if committed by an adult, would have constituted the crime of forcible touching, was not against the weight of the evidence.

The appellant's remaining contentions are without merit.

IANNACCI, J.P., MILLER, DOWLING and VOUTSINAS, JJ., concur.