In re Jamie C.
Opinion of the Court
Appeal from an order of the Family Court of Broome County (Ray, J.), entered October 12, 1992, which granted petitioner’s application, in a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 10, to adjudicate respondents’ children to be abused and/or neglected.
Following a hearing on a child abuse and neglect petition, respondent James D. (hereinafter the father) was found to have sexually and physically abused his daughter, Jamie C. and to have neglected her and her three younger brothers. Respondent Barbara C. (hereinafter the mother) was found to have sexually abused Jamie and to have neglected all four children. Both parents appeal from Family Court’s order.
We agree with the mother that the finding of her sexual
We reach a contrary conclusion as to the findings of the father’s sexual and physical abuse of Jamie and both parents’ neglect of their children. Jamie testified under oath regarding several incidents of her father’s sexual and physical abuse. Family Court found Jamie’s testimony "to be highly credible”. The testimony of the therapist, a child protective worker and a school guidance counsellor established that Jamie had previously made statements consistent with her testimony about her father’s abuse. As to the issue of neglect, there is considerable evidence in the record concerning both parents’ pattern of repeated alcohol abuse, often accompanied by the father’s violent and abusive behavior. The mother made no effort to prevent the abusive behavior. We see no basis to disturb Family Court’s findings regarding the parents’ neglect and the father’s abuse of Jamie.
The mother also contends that Family Court erred in allowing Harding to testify, but in view of our treatment of Harding’s testimony in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we see no need to address the issue. The remaining arguments raised by the father in his challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence have been considered and are either unpreserved for our review or meritless. Family Court’s order should be modi
Cardona, P. J., Mercure, White and Peters, JJ., concur. Ordered that the order is modified, on the law, without costs, by reversing so much thereof as found Jamie C. abused by respondent Barbara C.; petition against said respondent dismissed to that extent; and, as so modified, affirmed.
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