Matter of Belkis N. v. Gilberto N.

Matter of Belkis N. v Gilberto N. (2018 NY Slip Op 06818) Matter of Belkis N. v Gilberto N. 2018 NY Slip Op 06818 Decided on October 11, 2018 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 October 11, 2018 Friedman, J.P., Gische, Kapnick, Kahn, Oing, JJ. [7313] [*1]In re Belkis N., Petitioner-Appellant, v Gilberto N., Respondent-Respondent. Beth E. Goldman, New York Legal Assistance Group, New York (Ione K. Curva of counsel), for appellant. Kenneth M. Tuccillo, Hastings on Hudson, for respondent. Order, Family Court, Bronx County (Sidney Gribetz, J.), entered on or about August 30, 2017, which, after a hearing, dismissed the petition seeking an order of protection against respondent, unanimously affirmed, without costs. Petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that respondent committed acts warranting an order of protection in her favor, particularly in light of the court's finding that none of the testimony was credible (see Family Court Act § 832; Matter of Everett C. v Oneida P., 61 AD3d 489 [1st Dept 2009]). The record shows that petitioner, while represented by counsel, withdrew a prior family offense petition after she and respondent had agreed that they would go their separate ways. It also shows that there were no incidents between petitioner and respondent after the date that petitioner vacated the premises. Given the fact that the root of the family disturbance had dissipated on its own, Family Court providently exercised its discretion in finding that an order of protection was not warranted. We reject petitioner's suggestion that this Court should substitute its own findings for that of the Family Court, because it cannot be said that Family Court's determination could not be reached under any fair interpretation of the evidence (see Yoba v Yoba, 183 AD2d 418 [1st Dept 1992]). Furthermore, petitioner's contention that the Family Court was biased against her is unpreserved, and we decline to review in the interest of justice. In any event, the record fails to support her claim. THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT. ENTERED: OCTOBER 11, 2018 CLERK