Matter of Angelo P. (Jose C.)

Matter of Matter of Angelo P. (Jose C.) 2012 NY Slip Op 06372 Decided on September 27, 2012 Appellate Division, First Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.

Decided on September 27, 2012
Friedman, J.P., Acosta, Abdus-Salaam, Manzanet-Daniels, Román, JJ.
8114

[*1]In re Angelo P., A Child Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc.,

and

Jose C., Respondent-Appellant, The Administration for Children's Services, Petitioner-Respondent.




Steven N. Feinman, White Plains, for appellant.
Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Kathy H.
Chang of counsel), for respondent.

Order of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Karen I. Lupuloff, J.), entered on or about October 20, 2010, which, insofar as appealed from, upon a fact-finding determination that respondent Jose C. neglected the subject child, placed the child in the custody of the Commissioner of Social Services, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

The preponderance of the evidence supported the finding that respondent neglected the subject child (see Family Court Act § 1012[f][i][B]). Two caseworkers testified that the mother reported that the 20-month-old child was found severely bruised after being left alone with respondent, the mother's paramour, and this was confirmed upon physical examination (see Matter of Portret M., 47 AD3d 424 [1st Dept 2008], lv denied 10 NY3d 714 [2008]). Respondent failed to sustain his burden of offering a satisfactory explanation for the injuries (Matter of Kevin R., 193 AD2d 351, 351-352 [1st Dept 1993], appeal dismissed 82 NY2d 735 [1993]).

Respondent was a person legally responsible for the child within the meaning of Family Court Act § 1012(g). The evidence established that respondent saw the child four times a week, and acted as the functional equivalent of a parent, by bathing and feeding the child, changing his diaper, and acting as a father figure to him (see Matter of Yolanda D., 88 NY2d 790, 796 [1996]; Matter of Keoni Daquan A. [Brandon W.-April A.], 91 AD3d 414 [1st Dept 2012]). Moreover, [*2]because respondent was legally responsible for the child, he was required to seek medical attention for the child's injuries when they were discovered (see Matter of Samantha M., 56 AD3d 299 [1st Dept 2008], lv denied 11 NY3d 716 [2009]).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER
OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.

ENTERED: SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

CLERK