In re Lydia C., 89 A.D.3d 1434 (N.Y. App. Div. 2011). · Go Syfert
In re Lydia C., 89 A.D.3d 1434 (N.Y. App. Div. 2011). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
23 citation events (23 in the last 25 years) across 1 distinct court.
Strongest positive: Matter of Abrams v. Smith (nyappdiv, 2025-12-23)
Treatment trajectory · 2011 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2011 2018 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 14 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matter of Abrams v. Smith
N.Y. App. Div. · 2025 · confidence medium
"Visitation decisions are generally left to [the court's] sound discretion, requiring reversal only where the decision lacks a sound and substantial basis in the record" ( Matter of Lydia C . [Albert C.] , 89 AD3d 1434, 1436 [4th Dept 2011] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Matter of Helles v Helles , 87 AD3d 1273, 1273 [4th Dept 2011]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matter of Abrams v. Smith
N.Y. App. Div. · 2025 · confidence medium
"Visitation decisions are generally left to [the court's] sound discretion, requiring reversal only where the decision lacks a sound and substantial basis in the record" ( Matter of Lydia C . [Albert C.] , 89 AD3d 1434, 1436 [4th Dept 2011] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Matter of Helles v Helles , 87 AD3d 1273, 1273 [4th Dept 2011]).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Matter of Paris M. (Darrin S.) (3×)
N.Y. App. Div. · 2025 · confidence medium
Contrary to respondent's contention, Family Court did not err in determining that the child's out-of-court statements alleging that respondent sexually abused her on multiple occasions "were sufficiently corroborated by other evidence tending to support their reliability" ( Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.] , 89 AD3d 1434, 1435 [4th Dept 2011]; see Family Ct Act § 1046 [a] [vi]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matter of Dorian C. (Cyncere G.)
N.Y. App. Div. · 2024 · confidence medium
Initially, to the extent the mother raises contentions in each appeal concerning the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting the court's finding of abuse with respect to the middle child, her contentions are unpreserved for our review inasmuch as she failed to move to dismiss the petitions on that basis ( see Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.] , 89 AD3d 1434, 1435-1436 [4th Dept 2011]; Matter of Syira W. [Latasha B.] , 78 AD3d 1552, 1553 [4th Dept 2010]; see also Matter of Daniel D. [Tara D.] , — AD3d —, 2024 NY Slip Op 05665, *1 [4th Dept 2024]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matter of Brianna E. (Jeremiah H.)
N.Y. App. Div. · 2021 · confidence medium
Here, the out-of-court statements of the child were sufficiently corroborated by, inter alia, the testimony of petitioner's validation expert, a psychologist who evaluated the child and opined that the child's consistent statements made to the psychologist, an investigator, and a therapist were credible and consistent with those of a child who has been abused ( see Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.] , 89 AD3d 1434, 1435 [4th Dept 2011]; Matter of Elizabeth G. , 255 AD2d 1010 , 1011-1012 [4th Dept 1998], lv dismissed 93 NY2d 848 [1999], lv denied 93 NY2d 814 [1999]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matter of James L.H. (Lisa H.)
N.Y. App. Div. · 2020 · confidence medium
Here, the out-of-court statements of the child were sufficiently corroborated by the evidence that the father had sexually abused his other child ( see Nicole V. , 71 NY2d at 118 ), the child's "age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual matters" ( Matter of Brooke T. [Justin T.] , 156 AD3d 1410 , 1411 [4th Dept 2017]), the testimony of the child's play therapist that the child's behavior following the alleged abuse was consistent with that of a child who has been sexually abused ( see Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.] , 89 AD3d 1434, 1435 [4th Dept 2011]), and the opinions of the child's play and tra…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tuttle v. Mateo
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · confidence medium
Although “[visitation decisions are generally left to Family Court’s sound discretion” (Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.], 89 AD3d 1434, 1436 [2011] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Matter of Helles v Helles, 87 AD3d 1273, 1274 [2011]), “[t]he denial of visitation to a noncustodial parent constitutes such a drastic remedy that it should be ordered only when there are compelling reasons, and there must be substantial evidence that such visitation is detrimental to the child[ ]’s welfare” (Vasile v Vasile, 116 AD2d 1021, 1021 [1986]; see Matter of Diedrich v Vandermallie, 90 AD3d…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) TUTTLE, SUSAN v. MATEO, BETH
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · confidence medium
Although “[v]isitation decisions are generally left to Family Court’s sound discretion” (Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.], 89 AD3d 1434, 1436 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Matter of Helles v Helles, 87 AD3d 1273, 1274 ), “[t]he denial of visitation to a noncustodial parent constitutes such a drastic remedy that it should be ordered only when there are compelling reasons, and there must be substantial evidence that such visitation is detrimental to the child[ ]’s welfare” (Vasile v Vasile, 116 AD2d 1021, 1021 ; see Matter of Diedrich v Vandermallie, 90 AD3d 1511, 1511 ; Matt…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tuttle v. Mateo
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · confidence medium
Although “[visitation decisions are generally left to Family Court’s sound discretion” (Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.], 89 AD3d 1434, 1436 [2011] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Matter of Helles v Helles, 87 AD3d 1273, 1274 [2011]), “[t]he denial of visitation to a noncustodial parent constitutes such a drastic remedy that it should be ordered only when there are compelling reasons, and there must be substantial evidence that such visitation is detrimental to the child[ ]’s welfare” (Vasile v Vasile, 116 AD2d 1021, 1021 [1986]; see Matter of Diedrich v Vandermallie, 90 AD3d…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Samaj B.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
Although the mother contends that petitioner failed to establish that Suboxone is a “drug” within the meaning of section 1012 (d), “[t]hat contention ... is not preserved for our review inasmuch as the [mother] failed to move to dismiss the petition on that ground” (Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.], 89 AD3d 1434, 1435-1436 [2011]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Samaj B.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
Although the mother contends that petitioner failed to establish that Suboxone is a “drug” within the meaning of section 1012 (d), “[t]hat contention ... is not preserved for our review inasmuch as the [mother] failed to move to dismiss the petition on that ground” (Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.], 89 AD3d 1434, 1435-1436 [2011]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Janiece B.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
Contrary to the father’s contention, the out-of-court statements of the children “were sufficiently corroborated by other evidence tending to support their reliability” (Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.], 89 AD3d 1434, 1435 [2011]; see Family Ct Act § 1046 [a] [vi]; Matter of Nicole V., 71 NY2d 112, 117-118 [1987]; Matter of Nicholas J.R. [Jamie L.R.], 83 AD3d 1490, 1490 [2011], lv denied 17 NY3d 708 [2011]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Fox v. Fox
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
We agree with the mother in appeal No. 2, however, that the court’s suspension of the mother’s visitation with the child lacks a sound and substantial basis in the record (see Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.], 89 AD3d 1434, 1436 [2011]).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Matter of Riley v. Kidney
N.Y. App. Div. · 2022 · signal: see also · confidence medium
The mother's contention that Family Court should have ordered a child protective investigation of the father pursuant to Family Court Act § 1034 is unpreserved for our review ( see Matter of Kakwaya v Twinamatsiko , 159 AD3d 1590 , 1591 [4th Dept 2018], lv denied 31 NY3d 911 [2018]; Matter of Canfield v McCree , 90 AD3d 1653, 1654 [4th Dept 2011]; see also Matter of Lydia C. [Albert C.] , 89 AD3d 1434, 1437 [4th Dept 2011]).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
In the Matter of Lydia C., an Infant. Steuben County Department of Social Services, Respondent Albert C.
Appeal No. 1.
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Nov 10, 2011.
89 A.D.3d 1434
Cited by 17 opinions  |  Published
Memorandum:

In appeal No. 1, respondent father appeals from an order determining, following a fact-finding hearing, that he sexually abused the child who is the subject of these proceedings. In appeal No. 2, the father appeals from an order granting petitioner mother sole custody of the child and suspending his visitation with the child. Contrary to the contention of the father in appeal No. 1, Family Court properly denied his motion to dismiss the abuse petition inasmuch as the out-of-court statements of the child were sufficiently corroborated by other evidence tending to support their reliability (see Family Ct Act § 1046 [a] [vi]; Matter of Nicole V., 71 NY2d 112, 117-118 [1987], rearg denied 71 NY2d 890 [1988]; Matter of Nicholas J. R. [Jamie L.R.], 83 AD3d 1490 [2011], lv denied 17 NY3d 708 [2011]; Matter of Colberdee C., 2 AD3d 1316 [2003]). Family Court has “ ‘considerable discretion in determining whether a child’s out-of-court statements describing incidents of abuse have been reliably corroborated and whether the record as a whole supports a finding of abuse’ ” (Nicholas J.R., 83 AD3d at 1490; see Colberdee C., 2 AD3d 1316).

Here, the out-of-court statements of the child were sufficiently corroborated by the testimony of her therapists, who both opined that the child’s behavior following the alleged abuse was consistent with a child who has been sexually abused (see Matter of Breanna R., 61 AD3d 1338, 1340 [2009]; Matter of Yorimar K.-M., 309 AD2d 1148 [2003]; cf. Matter of Kalifa K., 37 AD3d 1180 [2007]). Both of the child’s therapists also opined that her out-of-court statements were credible (see Nicholas J.R., 83 AD3d 1490; Yorimar K.-M., 309 AD2d 1148; Matter of Victoria KK., 233 AD2d 801, 803 [1996]), and those out-of-court statements were “ ‘consistent] . . . [in] describing [the] sexual conduct’ ” (Yorimar K.-M., 309 AD2d at 1149; see Nicholas J.R., 83 AD3d 1490). Further, the child’s out-of-court statements were corroborated by the unsworn testimony that she gave on cross-examination at the fact-finding hearing (see Matter of Christina F., 74 NY2d 532, 535-537 [1989]; Matter of Telsa Z. [Rickey Z.—Denise Z.], 71 AD3d 1246, 1249-1250 [2010]; Matter of Elizabeth D., 139 AD2d 66, 67-70 [1988], appeal dismissed 73 NY2d 871 [1988]).

The father further contends that the abuse petition should have been dismissed because the evidence was insufficient to identify him as the perpetrator of the alleged abuse. That[*1436] contention, however, is not preserved for our review inasmuch as the father failed to move to dismiss the petition on that ground (see Matter of Syira W. [Latasha B.], 78 AD3d 1552 [2010] ). In any event, we conclude that Family Court’s finding of sexual abuse is supported by the requisite preponderance of the evidence (see Family Ct Act § 1046 [b] [i]; Nicholas J.R., 83 AD3d at 1490; see generally Matter of Tammie Z., 66 NY2d 1, 3 [1985]).

The father contends that the court erred in allowing petitioner to present validation testimony, i.e., the testimony of the child’s therapists, because those therapists were not identified as potential witnesses in the abuse petition. That contention, however, is not preserved for our review (see generally Matter of Brayanna G., 66 AD3d 1375 [2009], lv denied 13 NY3d 714 [2009]) and, inasmuch as the abuse petition was not included in the record on appeal, that contention is not properly before us (see generally Matter of Jennifer O., 281 AD2d 937 [2001], lv dismissed in part and denied in part 98 NY2d 666 2002]). In any event, the father’s contention is without merit. Family Court Act § 1031 (a) does not require petitioner to list all potential witnesses but, rather, it requires petitioner to allege only those “facts sufficient to establish that a child is an abused . . . child” (see Matter of Roman, 94 Misc 2d 796, 798 [1978]; cf. CPLR 3101 [d] [1] [i]; Family Ct Act § 1038 [d]). We have reviewed the father’s remaining contentions in appeal No. 1 and conclude that none warrants reversal of the order.

We reject the father’s contention in appeal No. 2 that the court erred in suspending his visitation with the child. “ ‘Visitation decisions are generally left to Family Court’s sound discretion, requiring reversal only where the decision lacks a sound and substantial basis in the record’ ” (Matter of Nicole J.R. v Jason M.R., 81 AD3d 1450, 1451 [2011], lv denied 17 NY3d 701 [2011] ; see Fox v Fox, 177 AD2d 209, 211-212 [1992]). Here, the court determined that the father sexually abused the child (see e.g. Matter of Kimberly CC. v Gerry CC., 86 AD3d 728, 729 [2011]; Matter of Kole HH. [Thomas HH.], 84 AD3d 1518, 1519-1520 [2011]), and the father refused to proceed with recommended sex offender treatment and mental health counseling (see Matter of Telsa Z. [Denise Z.], 84 AD3d 1599, 1601-1602 [2011]). Further, one of the child’s therapists opined that any visitation between the father and the child would be detrimental to the mental health of the child, and the child testified during the fact-finding hearing that she does not want to see the father or return to his home (see Veronica S. v Philip R.S., 70 AD3d 1459, 1460 [2010]; Matter of Jeffrey L.J. v Rachel K.B., 42 AD3d 912, 913-914 [2007]; see generally Fox, 177 AD2d at 210).

[*1437] Contrary to the father’s further contention, the court did not abuse its discretion in failing to order a child protective investigation of the mother’s home pursuant to Family Court Act § 1034 (1) (b). Here, there was no indication in the petition or during the proceedings that the child was abused, neglected or mistreated in the mother’s home (see Matter of Corrigan v Orosco, 84 AD3d 955 [2011]). Present — Fahey, J.P., Garni, Sconiers, Gorski and Martoche, JJ.