In re Hadja B.
The Family Court, New York County's order of disposition, entered on May 25, 2000, which placed a child with a petitioner agency for 12 months due to a finding of neglect, was unanimously affirmed. The court found that the respondent inflicted excessive corporal punishment on the child, a finding supported by the child’s sworn, in-camera testimony and prior consistent statements. The testimony described respondent repeatedly hitting the child with various objects, causing injuries. The Family Court's credibility findings were upheld, and the in-camera examination of the child, with respondent's attorney present, was deemed proper given an affidavit indicating the respondent's abuse compromised the child’s ability to testify clearly in their presence.