Opinion
Index No. 504256/2020 MOTION SEQ. Nos. 002 003
12-22-2022
W.G., Plaintiff, v. NORTH AMERICAN OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, NORTH AMERICAN OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - DIOCESE OF NEW YORK, NORTH AMERICAN OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - DIOCESE OF NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND, SACRED HEART OF JESUS CHURCH, and THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN, Defendants.
Unpublished Opinion
PRESENT: HON. ALEXANDER M. TISCH, Justice
DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION
ALEXANDER M. TISCH, J.S.C.
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 002) 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 38 40 were read on this motion to/for DISMISS.
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 003) 53 54 55 56 67 49 60 61 69 70 were read on this motion to/for DISMISS.
In W.G. v North American Old Roman Catholic Church et al, a tort action filed pursuant to the Child Victims Act ("CVA"), Defendant The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, New York (the "Diocese") moves pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(1) and (a)(7) for dismissal of Plaintiff W.G.'s complaint in full (Motion Seq. 002).
Defendants the North American Old Roman Catholic Church Diocese of New York, Inc. a/k/a North American Old Roman Catholic Church Diocese of New York and New England (the "NAORCC") and Sacred Heart of Jesus Old Roman Catholic Church (collectively, the "NAORCC Defendants"), also move for the same relief (Motion Seq. 003). Plaintiff W.G. opposes both motions.
This entity is named in the Complaints as "Sacred Heart of Jesus Church."
Plaintiffs K.G. and W.G, brother and sister, allege that between 1970 and 1975, they were abused by Joseph Nevilloyd, a pastor at church known as "Sacred Heart" or "Sacred Heart of Jesus" in Brooklyn, New York. Plaintiffs allege that they received tuition discounts to attend private schools run by the Diocese, St. Fortunata and St. Gabriel's, in exchange for their patronage at Sacred Heart. Plaintiffs claim that they demonstrated their patronage to the private schools by submitting documentation signed by Mr. Nevilloyd.
In a related CVA action K.G. v North American Old Roman Catholic Church et al, the Diocese and NAORCC Defendants move for identical relief (Index No. 504288/2020, Motion Seqs. 002 and 003). Both Plaintiffs were previously granted permission to proceed using a pseudonym.
As there is some dispute among the parties as to the full proper name of the church Plaintiffs attended, the church is referred to herein as "Sacred Heart Church" unless otherwise specified.
Plaintiffs' complaints assert causes of action for: Negligent Hiring, Retention, and Supervision, Negligent, Reckless, and Willful Misconduct, Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress, Premises Liability, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Breach of Duty In Loco Parentis, and Breach of Statutory Duties to Report pursuant to the Social Services Law.
Both the Diocese and NAORCC Defendants argue that documentary evidence shows Plaintiffs have no cause of action against them. The Diocese argues that it did not own Sacred Heart Church and did not ordain, supervise, or employ Mr. Nevilloyd. NAORCC Defendants argue that the actual name of the church Mr. Nevilloyd was employed at is the "Sacred Heart English Rite Church," and has no connection to the Roman Catholic Church and is thus unaffiliated with the NAORCC entities. The Diocese separately makes arguments as to why each cause of action should be dismissed for failure to state a cause of action against it. The Diocese argues that the claims for negligent or willful misconduct and negligent hiring, retention and supervision should be dismissed due to lack of notice, and that the claim for negligent inflection of emotional distress should be dismissed as duplicative. The Diocese separately argues that Plaintiffs' premises liability claim is misplaced in this litigation, and that it owed no fiduciary duty to Plaintiffs under in loco parentis, nor was it obligated to report Plaintiffs alleged abuse under the Social Services Law.
NAORCC Defendants only move for dismissal based on documentary evidence and do not address Plaintiffs' individual claims.
DISCUSSION
Dismissal Against the Diocese Based on Documentary Evidence
In support of its argument for dismissal, the Diocese has submitted an affidavit from Richard J. Cea, who has represented the Diocese as general counsel since 1980. Mr. Cea affirms that the Diocese is a domestic religious corporation organized and existing under the Religious Corporation Law ("RCL"). Under the RCL, Roman Catholic churches are incorporated under Article 5 and churches outside the Roman Catholic faith are incorporated under separate articles. Although Sacred Heart Church used the term "Roman Catholic," its incorporation certificate reflects that it was incorporated under Article 2 and belonged to a subset sect referred to as the "Old Catholic Church," operating much like a Protestant denomination. Therefore, the Diocese never exercised either civil or even ecclesial jurisdiction over Sacred Heart Church. Mr. Cea further affirms that the Diocese never owned Sacred Heart Church, and that a search of employment records confirms Mr. Nevilloyd was a member of the Franciscan Order and was never ordained or incardinated by the Diocese as a Roman Catholic priest.
In opposition, Plaintiffs argue that the affidavits and exhibits provided are procedurally improper and of uncertain authenticity and contain conclusory statements that Plaintiff has not had the opportunity to challenge. Additionally, one of the certificates of incorporation suggests that Sacred Heart Church may have born the name "Roman Catholic" at one point.
More critically, Plaintiffs argue that assuming arguendo the Diocese is correct that it never possessed control or jurisdiction over Sacred Heart Church, liability for Mr. Nevilloyd's alleged tortious conduct may still attach. The Diocese does not dispute that Plaintiffs attended private schools that it operated, and that it gave Plaintiffs tuition discounts based on signed statements from Mr. Nevilloyd attesting that Plaintiffs attended his church. Plaintiffs have both submitted affidavits attesting that they grew up in a family of modest means and could not have attended the Diocese-run schools without tuition discounts. Plaintiffs attest that in exchange for the tuition discounts, they were required to provide proof that they regularly attended Catholic religious services. Plaintiffs believed that Sacred Heart Church was a Roman Catholic church given that the schools accepted Mr. Nevilloyd's weekly statements confirming they attended services, and no school officials ever informed them that Mr. Nevilloyd was not affiliated with the Diocese. Plaintiffs have also submitted an affidavit from James Faluszczak, a former Roman Catholic parish priest, who attests that it was common for students at Diocese-run schools to receive discounts even when they were parishioners of "Old Roman Catholic" parishes.
In reply, the Diocese disregards Plaintiffs' "tuition discount" argument as a transparent attempt to hold the Diocese liable. However, if all allegations in Plaintiffs' complaints are construed as true, the Diocese held out Mr. Nevilloyd as a qualified religious leader and profited from its agreement with Mr. Nevilloyd to send Sacred Heart Church parishioners to its schools. Plaintiffs have thus sufficiently alleged that Mr. Nevilloyd could plausibly be construed as an "agent" of the Diocese. Further discovery is needed to ascertain the extent and nature of the relationship that existed between Mr. Nevilloyd and the Diocese-run schools that Plaintiffs attended, and why the schools accepted Mr. Nevilloyd's statements if he was completely unaffiliated with the Diocese.
Accordingly, the Diocese's application for dismissal from this action is denied as premature at this juncture.
Dismissal Against NAORCC Defendants Based on Documentary Evidence
NAORCC Defendants, a group that encompasses both the North American Old Roman Catholic Church Diocese of New York, Inc. a/k/a North American Old Roman Catholic Church Diocese of New York and New England (the "NAORCC") and Sacred Heart of Jesus Old Roman Catholic Church, argue that documentary evidence establishes they were named in this action based on mistaken identification, and that neither the "North American Old Roman Catholic Church Diocese of New York and New England" nor the "Sacred Heart of Jesus Church" have any affiliation with the church that Plaintiffs attended. NAORCC Defendants claim the full name the church Plaintiffs attended, in which Mr. Nevilloyd served as a pastor, is "Sacred Heart English Rite Church," a separate religious society with no relation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Old Roman Catholic Church.
NAORCC Defendants assume that the entity captioned as "Sacred Heart of Jesus Church" in the complaint is meant to be the Sacred Heart of Jesus Old Roman Catholic Church.
Regarding the first defendant, NAORCC, NAORCC Defendants have submitted certifications of incorporation that purport to indicate that Mr. Nevilloyd incorporated his church under two names "the Sacred Herat of Jesus English Rite Catholic Church Inc," and "Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church (Vernacular), Inc". Thus, the churches were not affiliated with the Old Roman Catholic Church, but rather the American Catholic Church, and had no relation to the NAORCC. NAORCC Defendants have also introduced a Certificate of Consecration establishing Mr. Nevilloyd as a bishop in the American Catholic Church.
NAORCC Defendants argue that the second defendant, Sacred Heart of Jesus Old Roman Catholic Church, is similarly unaffiliated with Mr. Nevilloyd's church as it has always been a separate entity unrelated to the American Catholic Church. Additionally, NAORCC Defendants argue this Court lacks jurisdiction over the church as a nonincorporated religious society.
As NAORCC Defendants characterize the church as a religious society "in association with the NAORCC" the argument that this Court lacks jurisdiction solely because the church is unincorporated appears to be without merit. (see L & L Assoc. Holding Corp, v Charity United Baptist Church, 34 Mise 3d 355, 357 [Nassau Dist Ct 2011] ["An 'unincorporated church' is generally subject to the same rights and liabilities as an 'unincorporated association.'"] quoting 92 N.Y. Jur. 2d, Religious Organizations §13). An action against an unincorporated association can proceed as long as its president, treasurer, or analogous officer was served (/Vat 358). Here, Bishop Ford, a Presiding Officer and Trustee of the NAORCC, was served with the complaints on behalf of all NAORCC Defendants.
In opposition, Plaintiffs argue that NAORCC Defendants' motion for dismissal is an improper premature summary judgment motion based on self-serving affidavits and documents of uncertain authenticity. Plaintiffs have also submitted an affidavit from their counsel's investigator, Marc Gorrie, who affirms that until the filing of this action, the NAORCC website stated that its diocese was "shepherded by Bishop Joseph M. Nevilloyd" until his passing in 1994. Mr. Nevilloyd was also listed under the NAORCC website's listing of deceased clergymen until February 2020. Additionally, NAORCC's exhibits do not speak to who participated in the consecration of Mr. Nevilloyd if not their own clergy. The documentation also reflects that in the 1980s, Mr. Nevilloyd ordained a current NAORCC bishop and official, Vincent Natoli, who later took part in the sale of Mr. Nevilloyd's church to create a new church in the same location that is currently attended by NAORCC parishioners.
In reply, NAORCC Defendants state that their website had previously "mischaracterized" Mr. Nevilloyd's relationship with the NAORCC, and the instant litigation prompted them to correct the misinformation. However, NAORCC Defendants do not fully articulate why their leadership previously believed Mr. Nevilloyd had a relationship with the NAORCC. Similarly, while NAORCC Defendants argue that Bishop Natoli was ordained by Mr. Nevilloyd in the 1980s, after the alleged misconduct at issue here occurred, they do not explain why Mr. Nevilloyd would have ordained a bishop in their church if he had no relationship with the same, nor do they delve into why Mr. Natoli was involved in the sale of Mr. Nevilloyd's church and the church's conversion into a current NAORCC location.
In view of the conflicting evidence presented and the confusion among the parties regarding the proper identities and relationship histories of the various entities and individuals at issue, the Court finds that dismissal of this action against NAORCC Defendants is premature at this juncture, and proper discovery is first needed to ascertain the relationship, if any, that existed between Mr. Nevilloyd, the NAORCC, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Old Roman Catholic Church at the time the alleged misconduct occurred.
Accordingly, the motion filed by NAORCC Defendants under both actions is dismissed, and the Court now turns to address the Diocese's separate arguments for dismissal of Plaintiffs' individual claims.
Dismissal of Individual Causes of Action
In determining a motion to dismiss a complaint pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7), a court's role is deciding "whether the pleading states a cause of action, and if from its four comers factual allegations are discerned which taken together manifest any cause of action cognizable at law a motion for dismissal will fail" (African Diaspora Maritime Corp, v Golden Gate Yacht Club, 109 A.D.3d 204 [1st Dept 2013]; Siegmund Strauss, Inc. v East 149th Realty Corp., 104 A.D.3d 401 [1st Dept 2013]). The standard on a motion to dismiss a pleading for failure to state a cause of action is not whether the party has artfully drafted the pleading, but whether deeming the pleading to allege whatever can be reasonably implied from its statements, a cause of action can be sustained (see Stendig, Inc. v Thorn Rock Realty Co., 163 A.D.2d 46 [1st Dept 1990]; Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. v Blumberg, 242 A.D.2d 205 [1st Dept 1997] [on a motion for dismissal for failure to state a cause of action, the court must accept factual allegations as true]). When considering a motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action, the pleadings must be liberally construed (see CPLR 3026; Siegmund Strauss, Inc., 104 A.D.3d 401). In deciding such a motion, the court must "accept the facts as alleged in the complaint as true, accord plaintiffs 'the benefit of every possible favorable inference,'" and "determine only whether the facts as alleged fit into any cognizable legal theory" (Siegmund Strauss, Inc., 104 A.D.3d 401; Nonnon v City of New York, 9 N.Y.3d 825 [2007]; Leon v Martinez, 84 N.Y.2d 83, 87-88 [1994]). However, "allegations consisting of bare legal conclusions as well as factual claims flatly contradicted by documentary evidence are not" presumed to be true or accorded every favorable inference (David v Hack, 97 A.D.3d 437 [1st Dept 2012]; Biondi v Beekman Hill House Apt. Corp., 257 A.D.2d 76, 81 [1st Dept 1999], aff'd 94 N.Y.2d 659 [2000]; Kliebert v McKoan, 228 A.D.2d 232 [1st Dept 1996], Iv denied 89 N.Y.2d 802 [1996], and the criterion becomes "whether the proponent of the pleading has a cause of action, not whether he has stated one" (Guggenheimer v Ginzburg, 43 N.Y.2d 268, 275 [1977]; see also Leon, 84 N.Y.2d at 88; Ark Bryant Park Corp, v Bryant Park Restoration Corp., 285 A.D.2d 143, 150 [1st Dept 2001] ["In deciding such a preanswer motion, the court is not authorized to assess the relative merits of the complaint's allegations against the defendant's contrary assertions or to determine whether or not plaintiff has produced evidence to support his claims" (Salles v Chase Manhattan Bank, 300 A.D.2d 226, 228 [1st Dept 2002]).
Rather, where a motion to dismiss is directed at the sufficiency of a complaint, the plaintiff is afforded the benefit of a liberal construction of the pleadings: "The scope of a court's inquiry on a motion to dismiss under CPLR §3211 is narrowly circumscribed" (1199 Housing Corp, v International Fidelity Ins. Co., NYLJ January 18, 2005, p. 26 col.4, citing P. T. Bank Central Asia v Chinese Am. Bank, 301 A.D.2d 373, 375 [1st Dept 2003]), the object being "to determine if, assuming the truth of the facts alleged, the complaint states the elements of a legally cognizable cause of action" (id. at 376; see Rovello v Orofino Realty Co., 40 N.Y.2d 633, 634 [1976]).
It is the movant who has the burden to demonstrate that, based upon the four corners of the complaint liberally construed in favor of the plaintiff, the pleading states no legally cognizable cause of action (see Leon, 84 N.Y.2d at 87-88; Guggenheimer v Ginzburg, 43 N.Y.2d 268, 275 [1977]; Salles, 300 A.D.2d at 228).
The Court will address each of the grounds upon which the Diocese seek dismissal in turn.
Negligent Hiring, Retention, and Supervision
The Diocese argues that Plaintiffs' causes of action for negligent hiring should be dismissed for failure to state a claim since the Diocese did not employ Mr. Nevilloyd, and there are no specific factual allegations detailing how Defendants knew of Mr. Nevilloyd's alleged propensity to commit sexual abuse of minors at the time in question.
A claimant can maintain a cause of action for negligent retention by adequately alleging that the "employer knew or should have known of the employee's propensity for the conduct which caused the injury" and nevertheless continued the employee's service (Bumpus v New York City Tr. Auth., 47 A.D.3d 653, 654 [2d Dept 2008] [internal quotation marks and citation omitted]; see also Jackson v New York Univ. Downtown Hosp., 69 A.D.3d 801, 801-02 [2d Dept 2010]; Kenneth R. v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, 229 A.D.2d 159, 161, 163 [2d Dept 1997], cert, denied 522 U.S. 967 [1997], Iv dismissed 91 N.Y.2d 848 [1997]).
However, "[t]here is no statutory requirement that causes of action sounding in negligent hiring, negligent retention, or negligent supervision be pleaded with specificity" (Kenneth R., 229 A.D.2d at 162). Liability for negligent hiring is based not on the tortious conduct of the employee but on the negligence of the defendant-employer for failures involving the risk of harm by the employee to others (see, e.g., Ford v Gildin, 200 A.D.2d 224 [1st Dept 1994]).
Here, as discussed supra, Plaintiffs have alleged that the Diocese held out Mr. Nevilloyd as an agent of their church and a qualified religious leader and have alleged that the Diocese was on notice that Plaintiffs were spending time in Mr. Nevilloyd's custody given the signed statements he issued their schools. Under the instant causes of action, Plaintiffs allege that that Defendants "knew or reasonably should have known" of Mr. Nevilloyd's propensity to commit the alleged conduct and thus should have known there was a risk in allowing Mr. Nevilloyd to be around minors unsupervised, yet negligently retained Mr. Nevilloyd as a representative without using reasonable care and made no effort to oversee his duties or investigate his activities. While the Diocese argues these allegations are unsupported, Plaintiffs are not required to provide extensively detailed allegations at this juncture in the litigation, and the Diocese has introduced no evidence conclusively establishing that the allegations are false. Plaintiffs have thus sufficiently alleged, at this juncture, that the Diocese may have had knowledge of Mr. Nevilloyd's propensity to sexually abuse Plaintiffs and other minors. Additionally, although the allegations under this cause of action somewhat overlap with Plaintiffs' negligent, reckless, and willful misconduct claims, this cause of action is not duplicative because, as discussed infra, the misconduct claim seeks to hold Defendants liable to safely supervise Plaintiffs, while the instant claim seeks liability for Defendants' hiring and retention of Mr. Nevilloyd.
Accordingly, the branches of both motions seeking dismissal of Plaintiffs' negligent hiring, retention, and supervision claims are denied as premature at this juncture in the litigation.
Negligent, Reckless, and Willful Misconduct
The Diocese argues that Plaintiffs' causes of action for negligent, reckless, or willful misconduct should be dismissed to the extent predicated on vicarious liability, and also argue that Plaintiffs have alleged no intentional misconduct on their part.
To prevail on a negligence claim, "a plaintiff must demonstrate (1) a duty owed by the defendant to the plaintiff, (2) a breach thereof, and (3) injury proximately resulting therefrom." (Pasternak v Lab. Corp, of Am. Holdings, 27 N.Y.3d 817, 825 [2016]). "Religious entities have [a] duty to prevent injuries inflicted by persons in their employ whom they have reason to believe will engage in injurious conduct" (Kenneth R., 229 A.D.2d at 165).
Here, Plaintiffs' complaints allege that Defendants breached their duty of care by failing to properly investigate the background and character of Mr. Nevilloyd despite holding him out as a reputable religious leader and failed to train the members of their schools attended by Plaintiffs to identify signs of potential abuse. Although the Diocese cannot be held vicariously liable for the intentional torts committed by Mr. Nevilloyd (see NX. v Cabrini Med. Ctr., 97 N.Y.2d 247, 251-52 [2002]), it can be held liable for negligence committed in allowing such abuse to take place when a duty of reasonable care existed to safely manage the minor children that attended their schools and spent unsupervised time with Mr. Nevilloyd and other purported representatives of the Diocese. As stated supra, while the Diocese argue they had no notice of Mr. Nevilloyd's alleged actions, discovery will be necessary for the Diocese to conclusively establish a lack of knowledge as a matter of law.
While the Diocese also argues that Plaintiffs have not alleged any reckless or intentional misconduct, the complaints allege that the Diocese knew that many minors were abused by representatives and yet refused to investigate or take any other action, thus acting with reckless indifference to the potential injuries suffered by Plaintiffs and other similarly situated minors. While these allegations have yet to be substantiated, Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged facts and allegations to support their causes of action for negligent, reckless, or willful misconduct.
Thus, the Diocese is not entitled to dismissal of Plaintiffs' negligent, reckless, or willful misconduct claims, or the same allegations to the extent they are in support of the remaining negligence claims, at this juncture.
Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
The Diocese also seeks dismissal of Plaintiffs' Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress claim (NIED). The Diocese argues that Plaintiffs do not articulate a basis for holding them liable under this tort, and that the claim is duplicative of Plaintiffs' other negligence-based causes of action.
Typically, a cause of action for NIED "must be premised on conduct that unreasonably endangers the plaintiffs physical safety or causes the plaintiff to fear for his or her physical safety" (Padilla v Verczky- Porter, 66 A.D.3d 1481, 1483 [4th Dept 2009]). "Generally, a cause of action for infliction of emotional distress is not allowed if essentially duplicative of tort or contract causes of action" (Wolkstein v Morgenstern, 275 A.D.2d 635, 637 [1st Dept 2000]).
Here, the allegations set forth under Plaintiffs' NIED claims are duplicative of the negligence causes of action- namely, that Defendants knew or should have known Plaintiff would be subject to sexual abuse, causing Plaintiffs to suffer as a result. Given that Plaintiffs may recover for emotional distress caused by Mr. Nevilloyd's alleged conduct under their negligent hiring and retention claims, the NIED claims are unnecessary (see Wilczynski v Gates Community Chapel of Rochester, Inc., 2022 WL 446561, *3, 2022 U.S. Dist LEXIS 26113, *8-9 [WD NY, Feb. 14, 2022, No. 6:20-CV-06616 (EAW)] [dismissing an NIED claim as duplicative of the negligence, negligent supervision, hiring, and retention claims]). As such, the Diocese's application to dismiss Plaintiffs' NIED claims are granted.
Premises Liability
Plaintiffs asserts a cause of action for premises liability based on Defendants' ownership and control over the premises where the abuse is alleged to have occurred. The Diocese argues it did not own the premises and that this claim is improper in a sexual abuse case.
"In a premises liability case, the plaintiff must establish: (1) the existence of a defective condition, and (2) the defendant either created or had actual or constructive notice of the defect" (see Ingram v COSTCO Wholesale Corp., 117 A.D.3d 685 [2d Dept 2014]).
Here, "Plaintiff has failed to establish that the facts as alleged in this case for sexual abuse extend to a claim for premises liability, or to provide any authority establishing that claims of sexual abuse extend to premises liability. Based upon the foregoing, that branch of defendants' application seeking to dismiss plaintiffs second cause of action [for premises liability] is granted" (see Albanese v The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, Inc. et al., index number 56668/2020 [Sup Ct, Westchester County May 19, 2021]).
Additionally, Plaintiffs declined to oppose this argument in their oppositions to the Diocese's motions. The Court thus deems this cause of action abandoned, and the branches of the Diocese's motions seeking to dismiss Plaintiffs' premises liability claim are granted.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Breach of Duty In Loco Parentis
The Diocese argues that Plaintiffs' causes of action alleging breach of fiduciary duty and breach of duty in loco parentis should be dismissed as the Diocese did not owe the alleged duties and lacked notice of the alleged conduct.
Courts have articulated that a fiduciary duty exists when a plaintiffs relationship with an institution, oftentimes a church, extends beyond that of other similarly situated individuals (see Doe v Holy See [State of Vatican City], 17 A.D.3d 793, 795 [3d Dept 2005]). In other words, a fiduciary relationship between a plaintiff and an institution may exist where the plaintiff comes forward with facts demonstrating that the relationship between the plaintiff and the institution is unique or distinct from the institution's relationship with others generally (id). That said, a fiduciary relationship is not applicable to all individuals, and can be established upon a showing that an individual's relationship with the institution resulted in "de facto control and dominance" when the individual was "vulnerable and incapable of self-protection regarding the matter at issue" (Marmelstein v Kehillat New Hempstead, 11 N.Y.3d 15, 22 [2008]).
Here, Plaintiffs allege that a "fiduciary relationship" existed with each Defendant. However, to state a valid cause of action for breach of a fiduciary duty, a plaintiff cannot rely on bare allegations that a fiduciary relationship existed. By simply alleging that a fiduciary duty arose because Plaintiffs were minors and under the supervision and care of Defendants, Plaintiffs have failed to state a cause of action for breach of fiduciary duty. To be sure, assuming every fact alleged to be true and liberally construing the pleading in Plaintiffs' favor, the allegations for breach of fiduciary duty are still insufficient as a matter of law. Additionally, Plaintiffs' breach of fiduciary duty, as pleaded in the complaint, is duplicative of Plaintiffs' negligence-based causes of action that will proceed.
Accordingly, the branches of the motions seeking to dismiss Plaintiffs' breach of fiduciary duty claim are granted.
Turning to Plaintiffs' claim for a breach of duty in loco parentis, the Court notes that there is a branch of case law under which schools are tasked with a duty to adequately supervise the students in their charge and are liable for foreseeable injuries proximately related to their failure to provide adequate supervision (see Nash v Port Wash. Union Free School Dist., 83 A.D.3d 136,149-150 [2d Dept 2011]; Doe v Department of Educ. of City of N.Y., 54 A.D.3d 352 [2d Dept 2008]; see also Palmer v City of New York, 109 A.D.3d 526, 527 [2d Dept 2013], citing Mirand v City of New York, 84 N.Y.2d 44,49 [1994]; McLeod v City of New York, 32 A.D.3d 907 [2d Dept 2006]). Based on the doctrine that school districts act in loco parentis with respect to their minor students (see Barragan v City Sch. Dist. of New Rochelle, 120 A.D.3d 728 [2d Dept 2014]; Stinson v Roosevelt U.F.S.D., 61 A.D.3d 847, 847-848 [2d Dept 2009]) because they take physical custody of them (see Giresi v City of New York, 125 A.D.3d 601, 602-603 [2d Dept 2015]), schools are responsible for supervising their students with the same degree of care as a parent of ordinary prudence would exercise in comparable circumstances (id., citing Mirand, 84 N.Y.2d at 49). "The concept of in loco parentis is the fountainhead of the duty of care owed by a school to its students" (Williams v Weatherstone, 23 N.Y.3d 384, 403 [2014] [citing Mirand, 84 N.Y.2d at 49 ["(t)he duty owed derives from the simple fact that a school, in assuming physical custody and control over its students, effectively takes the place of parents and guardians"]).
It does not appear, however, that the doctrine of in loco parentis can simply be applied to churches by way of analogy to schools, as Plaintiff suggests. That would discount the instant application as to the Diocese on that basis alone. Nevertheless, the doctrine of in loco parentis defines the duty owed within the context of a negligence cause of action but does not create an independent cause of action.
Accordingly, the branches of the motions seeking to dismiss Plaintiffs' breach of duty in loco parentis claim are granted.
Breach of Statutory Duties pursuant to New York Social Services Law §§ 413 and 420
Plaintiffs' final causes of action are premised on the notion that Defendants breached their statutory duties to report abuse under Social Services Law §§413 and 420.
Pursuant to Social Services Law §413, school officials, which include but are not limited to school teachers, school guidance counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school nurses, school administrators or other school personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative license or certificate, are required to report "when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is an abused or maltreated child." Social Services Law §420(2) states that "Any person, official or institution required by this title to report a case of suspected child abuse or maltreatment who knowingly and willfully fails to do so shall be civilly liable for the damages proximately caused by such failure." "The Legislature enacted Social Services Law §420 which expressly allows a private cause of action for money damages upon the failure of any person, official or institution required by title 6 to report a case of suspected child abuse or maltreatment" (Rivera v County of Westchester, 31 Misc.3d 985, 994 [Sup Ct, Westchester County 2006]). "An injured child may assert a cause of action for damages under Social Services Law § 420 for alleged violations of sections 413 and 417, which were enacted to protect children from physical abuse" (Young v Campbell, 87 A.D.3d 692, 694 [2nd Dept 2011], Iv denied 18 N.Y.3d 801 [2011]).
Here, the Court finds that as a religious institution, the Diocese is entitled to dismissal of this cause of action as it is not an educational institution subject to the Education Law or a mandated reporter under the Social Services Law. "The complaint does not allege that any member or employee of the Diocese is a mandated reporter [of the Social Services Law]" (Monaghan v Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, 165 A.D.3d 650, 653 [2d Dept 2018]).
As such, the branches of the Diocese's motions seeking dismissal of Plaintiffs' claims that Defendants breached their statutory duty to report abuse under Social Services Law §§413 and 420 are granted.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, it is
ORDERED that the motion of Defendant The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, New York (the "Diocese") pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(5) and (a)(7) for dismissal of Plaintiff's complaint in W.G. v North American Old Roman Catholic Church et al (Index No. 504256/2020, Motion Seq. 002) is granted to the extent that:
(i) the third cause of action for negligent infliction of emotional distress is dismissed;
(ii) the fourth cause of action for premises liability is dismissed;
(iii) the fifth cause of action for breach of fiduciary duty is dismissed;
(iv) the sixth cause of action for breach of duty in loco parentis is dismissed;
(v) the seventh cause of action for breach of statutory duties to report is dismissed;and the motion is otherwise denied; and it is further
ORDERED that the motion of Defendants the North American Old Roman Catholic Church Diocese ot New York, Inc. a/k/a North American Old Roman Catholic Church Diocese of New York and New England (the "NAORCC") and Sacred Heart of Jesus Old Roman Catholic Church (collectively, the "NAORCC Defendants") for dismissal of the complaint in is denied in its entirety; and it is further
ORDERED that counsel for Plaintiffs shall serve a copy of this order, along with notice of entry, on all parties under both related actions within 10 days; and it is further
ORDERED that Defendants are directed to serve an answer to the complaint within 20 days after service of a copy of this order with notice of entry; and it is further
ORDERED that the parties shall proceed with discovery pursuant to CMO No. 2, Section IX (B) (1) and submit a first compliance conference order within 60 days from entry of this order.
This constitutes the Decision and Order of the Court.