Matter of Audrey K. (Erik K.)
2013 NY Slip Op 05459 [108 AD3d 717]
July 24, 2013
Appellate Division, Second Department
As corrected through Wednesday, August 21, 2013


In the Matter of Audrey K. Suffolk County Department ofSocial Services, Respondent; Erik K., Appellant.

[*1]Arza Feldman, Uniondale, N.Y. (Steven A. Feldman of counsel), for appellant.

Dennis M. Brown, County Attorney, Central Islip, N.Y. (James G. Bernet ofcounsel), for respondent.

Robert C. Mitchell, Riverhead, N.Y. (John B. Belmonte of counsel), attorney for thechild.

In a child protective proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 10, the fatherappeals from an order of fact-finding and disposition of the Family Court, SuffolkCounty (Loguercio, J.), dated May 8, 2012, which, upon a decision of the same courtdated April 20, 2012, made after a fact-finding hearing, inter alia, found that heneglected the subject child. The notice of appeal from the decision is deemed to be anotice of appeal from the order of fact-finding and disposition (see CPLR 5512[a]).

Ordered that the order of fact-finding and disposition is affirmed, without costs ordisbursements.

The Family Court's finding of neglect is supported by a preponderance of theevidence (see Family Ct Act §§ 1012 [f] [i] [B]; 1046 [a] [iii]; [b][i]). Contrary to the father's contentions, the evidence adduced at the fact-finding hearingof his repeated misuse of drugs established a prima facie case of neglect and, therefore,neither actual impairment of the child's physical, mental, or emotional condition, norspecific risk of impairment, needed to be established (see Matter of Sadiq H. [Karl H.], 81 AD3d 647 [2011]).

The parties' remaining contentions need not be reached in light of our determination.Mastro, J.P., Skelos, Balkin and Leventhal, JJ., concur.


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