In re Male G.
This case involves a proceeding under section 384-b of the Social Services Law where the Commissioner of Social Services sought to commit the custody and guardianship of a child, 'Male' G., also known as Brian Keith G. During a fact-finding hearing, the petitioner attempted to introduce the child's case record from the Bureau of Child Welfare (BCW) as a business record. The natural mother challenged its admissibility, arguing that certain entries were not made contemporaneously as required by CPLR 4518. The court, after deliberation, ruled that such records are admissible, citing that files maintained by the Department of Social Services are business records. The court clarified that the use of temporary 'day books' from which permanent records are later transcribed does not negate their admissibility, especially when the transcription relies on a previously prepared record rather than memory. Therefore, the BCW case record was ordered to be admitted into evidence.