Court Opinion

ID: 5703608
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-12 15:44:00.022996+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:40:22.978485
License: Public Domain

Mugglin, J. (dissenting).
I respectfully dissent only because, in my view, petitioner failed to submit sufficient admissible proof to establish that respondent Melinda E. (hereinafter respondent) derivatively neglected this child. Previous neglect of children does not establish a prima facie case of derivative neglect of the current child without additional proof that the previous conditions of neglect are proximate in time so that “it can reasonably be concluded that the condition still exists” (Matter of D’Anna KK., 299 AD2d 761, 763 [2002] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]). I would hold that the Tioga County proceedings between 1988 and 1998 are too remote in time to support the conclusion that those conditions of neglect still exist. While the two Broome County neglect proceedings are not as remote, the 2002 petition was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal and the 2004 petition and resulting order were improperly received in evidence, over objection, as neither was properly authenticated or certified (see generally CPLR 4518). Moreover, even if admissible, the primary conditions of neglect alleged were that respondent maintained an unclean home and that she permitted the four children to visit with their father in his house, across the street from respondent’s, despite the presence in that household of the father’s brother, a child sex offender, who, in fact, sexually abused one of the children. As respondent now resides in Clinton County, with the father of her ninth child and his parents, it cannot reasonably be concluded that the conditions of neglect still exist. Hence, petitioner has not proven derivative neglect by a preponderance of the evidence.
Ordered that the order is affirmed, without costs.