Opinion
May 27, 1999
Appeal from the Family Court, Bronx County (Stewart Weinstein, J.).
The children's out-of-court statements that they were sexually abused by respondent cross-corroborated each other. They were further corroborated by consistent repetitions to their foster mother, the psychologist and the social worker that the experts said did not indicate coaching, expert testimony as to the children's knowledge of sexual acts, and proof of and expert testimony as to symptomatic changes in behavior (see, Matter of Latisha W., 221 A.D.2d 645; Matter of Dawn H., 221 A.D.2d 235). That the touching was done for the purpose of sexual gratification was properly inferred in the absence of an offer of an innocent explanation therefor (see, Matter of Thomas N., 229 A.D.2d 666, 668; Matter of Jennifer M., 229 A.D.2d 940).
Concur — Rosenberger, J. P., Mazzarelli, Rubin, Saxe and Buckley, JJ.