Opinion
2013-05-28
In re GLORIA C., Petitioner–Appellant, v. JOSEPHINE I., Respondent–Respondent.
Law Offices of Randall S. Carmel, Syosset (Randall S. Carmel of counsel), for appellant.
Order, Family Court, New York County (Carol J. Goldstein, Referee), entered on or about July 20, 2010, which, after a fact-finding hearing, dismissed the petition for an order of protection, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Petitioner failed to demonstrate by a fair preponderance of the evidence that respondent acted with an intent to harass, annoy or alarm petitioner, and repeatedly committed acts that served no legitimate purpose ( see generally Family Ct. Act § 832; Matter of Melind M. v. Joseph P., 95 A.D.3d 553, 555, 944 N.Y.S.2d 82 [1st Dept. 2012] ). Accordingly, the Family Court correctly determined that respondent did not commit acts that constituted harassment in the second degree ( see William C. Donnino, Practice Commentary, McKinney's Cons Laws of NY, 2013 Electronic Update, Penal Law § 240.26). There is no basis to disturb the court's credibility determinations ( see Matter of Everett C. v. Oneida P., 61 A.D.3d 489, 878 N.Y.S.2d 301 [1st Dept. 2009] ).
Petitioner's appellate brief does not challenge the Family Court's conclusion that the petition's other allegations were without merit; accordingly, those allegations are deemed abandoned ( see Matter of Wechsler v. New York State Adirondack Park Agency, 85 A.D.3d 1378, 1379 n. 2, 925 N.Y.S.2d 247 [3d Dept. 2011] ).