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Matter of Cosgriff v. Vivinetto

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Mar 17, 2000
270 A.D.2d 347 (N.Y. App. Div. 2000)

Opinion

Submitted February 8, 2000

March 17, 2000

In a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 5 to establish paternity, the putative father appeals, by permission, from an order of the Family Court, Suffolk County (Dounias, J.), entered August 10, 1998, which, after a hearing, determined that he is the father of the petitioner's twin sons.

Wiliam P. Griffin III, Central Islip, N.Y., for appellant.

Robert J. Cimino, County Attorney, Central Islip, N.Y. (Jeffrey Myles Klein of counsel), for respondent.


ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with costs.

Contrary to the appellant's contention, medical testimony was not required to explain the petitioner's gestation period of only 234 days. It was established that the appellant was the only man with whom the petitioner had sexual intercourse during the time period when conception occurred. Furthermore, genetic marker tests (including red cell antigens, enzymes, and serum proteins, leukocyte antigens, and deoxyribonucleic acid) were administered and admitted into evidence. These tests established a composite probability of 99.92% and 99.97%, respectively, that the respondent is the biological father of the children. These results established a rebuttable presumption that he is the biological father of the petitioner's twin sons (see, Family Court Act § 532 Fam. Ct. Act[a]; see also, Matter of Commissioner of Social Servs. of City of N.Y. [Celia D.] v. Hector S., 216 A.D.2d 81; Matter of Gregory F. W. v. Lori Anne B., 162 Misc.2d 411). The appellant's conclusory denial that he had any access to the petitioner during the critical time period of conception because he was working full time failed to rebut the strong and persuasive evidence that he is the father of the petitioner' s twin sons (see, Matter of Department of Social Servs. of Suffolk County [Debra L.] v. Williams J., 191 A.D.2d 558; Matter of Baby Girl S., 140 Misc.2d 299).

The record supports the determination that the petitioner sustained her burden of proving the appellant's paternity by clear and convincing evidence (see, Matter of Jane PP. v. Paul QQ., 65 N.Y.2d 994, 996; Matter of Department of Social Servs. [Kimberly R. G.] v. John James H., 249 A.D.2d 451; Matter of Department of Social Servs. of Suffolk County [Debra L.] v. Williams J., supra; cf.,Matter of Pandozy [Lisa W.] v. Perry X., 141 A.D.2d 894; see also,Matter of Cattaraugus County Department of Social Servs. [Katrina M.] v. Douglas K., 227 A.D.2d 977).

The appellant's remaining contentions are without merit.

BRACKEN, J.P., RITTER, ALTMAN, and McGINITY, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

Matter of Cosgriff v. Vivinetto

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Mar 17, 2000
270 A.D.2d 347 (N.Y. App. Div. 2000)
Case details for

Matter of Cosgriff v. Vivinetto

Case Details

Full title:IN THE MATTER OF CASSANDRA E. COSGRIFF, respondent, v. JOSEPH T…

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department

Date published: Mar 17, 2000

Citations

270 A.D.2d 347 (N.Y. App. Div. 2000)
704 N.Y.S.2d 141

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