DCPP VS. A.M. AND K.B., IN THE MATTER OF M.R. AND S.B. (FN-04-0105-18, CAMDEN COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (RECORD IMPOUNDED) ( 2020 )


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  •                                       RECORD IMPOUNDED
    NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
    APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
    This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
    internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
    SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
    APPELLATE DIVISION
    DOCKET NO. A-1596-18T4
    NEW JERSEY DIVISION
    OF CHILD PROTECTION
    AND PERMANENCY,
    Plaintiff-Respondent,
    v.
    A.M.,
    Defendant,
    and
    K.B.,
    Defendant-Appellant.
    _______________________________
    IN THE MATTER OF M.R. and S.B.,
    Minors.
    _______________________________
    Submitted December 16, 2019 – Decided January 31, 2020
    Before Judges Sabatino and Natali.
    On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
    Chancery Division, Family Part, Camden County,
    Docket No. FN-04-0105-18.
    Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
    appellant (Robyn A. Veasey, Deputy Public Defender,
    of counsel; Dana A. Citron, Designated Counsel, on the
    briefs).
    Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General, attorney for
    respondent (Melissa H. Raksa, Assistant Attorney
    General, of counsel; Amy Melissa Young, Deputy
    Attorney General, on the brief).
    Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, Law Guardian,
    attorney for minors (Rachel E. Seidman, Assistant
    Deputy Public Defender, on the brief).
    PER CURIAM
    K.B. (Kyle), the boyfriend of A.M. (Annie), appeals from a Family Part
    determination that he abused or neglected Annie's five-year old child M.R.
    (Mindy), and Annie and Kyle's infant son S.B. (Steven).1 After a fact finding
    hearing, the court determined that Kyle's conduct on three distinct occasions
    "caused a very young child and a medically fragile newborn child to be placed
    at substantial risk of harm."
    1
    We use pseudonyms for convenience of the reader and to protect the children's
    privacy. See R. 1:38-3(d)(12).
    A-1596-18T4
    2
    On appeal, Kyle argues that there was insufficient evidence to support the
    trial court's finding of abuse and neglect and that the trial court abused its
    discretion by admitting into evidence photographs of Annie's injuries. The Law
    Guardian joins defendant in support of his appeal. Having carefully considered
    defendant's arguments in light of the record and the applicable legal principles,
    we reverse in part and vacate and remand in part, but affirm in part as to an
    appealed evidentiary ruling.
    I.
    The facts precipitating the three incidents are gleaned from the testimony
    and documentary evidence introduced at the fact finding proceeding.
    According to Sergeant John Field of the Pine Hill Borough Police Department,
    the first incident occurred on February 28, 2016 when an individual flagged
    down an officer to report an active domestic dispute at an apartment complex in
    the borough where a male individual, later identified as Kyle, forced his way
    into Annie's apartment. Initially, there was no answer when the officer knocked
    on the apartment door. The officers continued to announce their presence
    outside the apartment, which prompted Annie to finally open the door as
    additional officers arrived on scene.
    A-1596-18T4
    3
    Annie told the officers that Kyle was not in the apartment and allowed
    them to check the premises. Contrary to Annie's assertion, however, the officers
    noticed Kyle's legs in the closet of Mindy's bedroom. According to Sergeant
    Field, while Mindy remained asleep in the bedroom, the officers "identif[ied]
    [themselves] as police officers[,] . . . grabbed each of [Kyle's] hands, . . . pulled
    him out, handcuffed him in the hallway, and took him to the living room." Annie
    then told officers that Kyle "wasn't supposed to be in the house," and that she
    "didn't know how he got into the house." The officers, nevertheless, arrested
    Kyle for "obstructing [their] investigation."
    The facts of the second incident are discerned from the testimony of Pine
    Hill Police Officer Martin Brennan and Annie, as well as her recorded statement,
    and photographs of her injuries. Annie testified that sometime during the early
    morning on August 21, 2016, Kyle "started acting crazy and pushed [her] in the
    closet . . . saying that someone was attacking him." Annie indicated that Kyle
    was high "on something that's not liquor," but she could not readily identify
    what substance to which he was under the influence. She further stated that
    Kyle bit her in the back multiple times as he held her down on the floor of the
    closet. Annie initially stated at trial that Kyle "held [her] in the closet hostage
    for a couple of minutes." She later noted, however, that she "[did not] recall
    A-1596-18T4
    4
    how long [she was in the closet for], but it seemed like a while" and that it was
    "less than an hour." After she "struggled [her] way out and . . . opened the door,"
    she proceeded to run to Mindy's room who was sleeping, grabbed her, left the
    house, and "hid behind the bushes in [her] apartment complex for like an hour."
    On cross-examination, Annie stated that Mindy was awake while they
    were hiding but appeared fine because Annie told her they were "just playing
    hide and seek." After Annie reported the incident to police, she filed for a
    temporary restraining order against Kyle. According to Annie, Kyle made no
    threats towards Mindy or their unborn child, Steven, during the incident.
    Officer Brennan testified that Annie walked into the Pine Hill Police
    Station to report the incident. In her recorded statement, Annie told police tha t
    Kyle "was tripping on . . . mollies" and that he "restrained [her] and he held [her
    in the closet] for like almost an hour and he said that [she] set him up, [she] was
    trying to kill him[,] and then he started biting [her, and] he started kicking [her]."
    Brennan testified that Annie had visible signs of injuries, including bruising on
    her left arm and abrasions on her neck, which he photographed.
    At trial, Kyle's counsel objected to the photographs stating that the
    "photographs are totally irrelevant to anything to do with the children" and that
    they have "nothing to do with the condition of the children that evening." The
    A-1596-18T4
    5
    Law Guardian also objected stating "there has been no testimony by either
    [Annie] or the officer that the children ever saw these bruises" and that the
    Division has to "demonstrate what the effect is on the children."
    The facts of the third incident are discerned from the testimony of
    Sergeant Timothy McElroy and Annie, as well as a separate recorded statement
    and additional photographs.       In her recorded statement to police taken on
    January 29, 2017, Annie indicated that while she was preparing a bottle for
    Steven in the kitchen early that morning, Kyle, who had been drinking,
    confronted her about him hearing her "moaning in the recording of [a] song."
    After telling Kyle that he was not making any sense, "he punched [her] in the
    face."
    According to her statement, Kyle then "pulled out a knife" and "had [her]
    in [the] kitchen for . . . almost an hour just saying . . . things over and over, to
    tell him the truth about [the moaning he heard] recorded over a song." Annie
    told the police that "[t]here was blood all over the floor" and that she "was
    dripping blood" from her mouth and neck. Sergeant McElroy took photographs
    to document Annie's injuries, which were introduced into evidence again over
    Kyle's and the law guardian's objection.
    A-1596-18T4
    6
    Annie told Sergeant McElroy that Kyle "was holding [the knife] in his
    hand" and denied that he came at her or made any motions towards her with the
    knife. She further reported that Steven "needs medicine [at] certain hours" and
    that "he needed medicine at four o'clock and it was already like five [o'clock]
    . . . [when she] gave him his medicine."2 Annie testified, however, that before
    the altercation, she "kept going back and forth" between the kitchen and Steven's
    room as she was "preparing milk for [him] . . . [and] giving [him] his
    medication." Annie also stated that after "certain things were going on" in the
    kitchen with Kyle, she put Steven down, but "had a baby monitor . . . and kept
    checking . . . on [him]."
    In a January 24, 2018 order, the court found that Kyle "placed the children
    in imminent danger of a substantial risk of harm by depriving the children,
    including a medically fragile infant, of the only functioning reasonable caretaker
    on multiple occasions." The court further directed that Kyle be placed on the
    child abuse registry.
    2
    A portion of the transcript of Annie's recorded statement provided in the record
    is noted as "indiscernible." Our restatement of Annie's comment that Steven
    "needed medicine at four o'clock and it was already like five [o'clock] . . . [when
    she] gave him his medicine" is based on our review of the same recorded
    statement considered by the trial court. See State v. S.S., 
    229 N.J. 360
    , 374
    (2017).
    A-1596-18T4
    7
    In its accompanying oral decision, the court found that Sergeant Field
    testified credibly with respect to the February 28, 2016 incident and based on
    his testimony, Kyle "essentially[] use[d] a sleeping child as a shield to hide from
    the police during a police investigation." The court also determined that Kyle
    "didn't think about the impact on [Mindy], if she suddenly woke up to find armed
    officers in her bedroom," or "the fear . . . she might have had if they had to draw
    their weapons." The court observed that it was fortunate that "there was not a
    physical altercation or guns fired as the three police officers entered [Mindy's]
    bedroom, found [Kyle] hiding in her closet, ordered him to come out . . . and
    arrested him."
    With respect to the August 21, 2016 incident, the court relied on the
    testimony of both Officer Martin Brennan and Annie who the court found
    "testified credibly about the events of this day." The court accepted Annie's
    testimony that Kyle was "tripping on molly," "was agitated, paranoid, and
    appeared delusional" when he "kept [Annie] trapped [on] the closet floor for
    over an hour," "wrapped his legs around her so that she couldn't leave," "had his
    arms around her neck and chest," and "kept kicking her and biting her." The
    court emphasized that "[Annie's] testimony on the stand and her taped interview
    . . . were almost identical."
    A-1596-18T4
    8
    The court also referenced the pictures Officer Brennan took after the
    incident indicating the "extensive bruises, red bite marks, and cuts throughout
    [Annie's] back and neck," and noted that Annie was able to escape "[a]fter an
    hour or more."    The court concluded that "[Kyle's] actions in beating and
    trapping [Annie] on her closet floor caused [her] five-year-old to be without any
    care-giver for over an hour that evening," and that it was "undisputed that [Kyle]
    deprived [Annie's] five-year-old from having a functioning parent or care-
    giver."
    As to the January 29, 2017 incident, the court based its findings on Annie's
    testimony, which it emphasized was, again, "almost identical to the statement
    that she gave . . . to the Pine Hill Police," as well as the testimony of Sergeant
    Timothy McElroy, who the court found "testified credibly" and whose
    "testimony was . . . not refuted."
    The court first found that Steven, a "medically fragile infant" who had
    recently undergone hernia repair surgery, was present in the apartment during
    the event. Based on Annie's testimony, the court further found that Annie
    "attended to his extensive medical needs, which included having to be given
    medicine at specific times throughout the day and night." The court determined
    that Kyle "essentially kept her hostage for about an hour" when he "punched her
    A-1596-18T4
    9
    in the face with a closed fist with such force that she . . . still has a scar on her
    chin," and "pulled a knife on her and threatened to kill her." Annie "remained
    trapped in her kitchen in fear for her life" and "she was not able to give her son
    his medicine on time . . . as she was medically instructed to do" or feed him.
    The court determined that "once again, [Kyle] removed the only
    functioning care-giver of [Annie's] five-year-old daughter and . . . for their
    medically fragile newborn son."        It further found that "[b]oth very young
    children were, essentially, left home alone for at least an hour, including the
    premature newborn, who had just had surgery and was breathing with the
    assistance of an oxygen tank."
    After noting that the defense failed to call any witnesses to dispute the
    three incidents, the court relied on N.J. Div. of Child Prot. & Permanency v.
    K.G., 
    445 N.J. Super. 324
    (2016), and concluded that "children of such very
    young ages need a capable care-giver who can attend to them and to leave them
    or cause them to be without a functioning responsible care-giver places them at
    significant risk of harm." The court further reasoned that not only was Kyle
    "clearly unfit to care for anyone in [h]is paranoid, violent, and under the
    influence state," the children "were placed in substantial risk of harm by [Kyle]
    on these numerous occasions."
    A-1596-18T4
    10
    Annie regained legal and physical custody of the children on July 24,
    2018, and Kyle was awarded weekly supervised visits. The court terminated
    litigation on October 30, 2018 and ordered Kyle's visits to remain supervised.
    This appeal followed.
    II.
    We accord deference to the Family Part's fact-finding in part because of
    the court's "special jurisdiction and expertise in family matters." Cesare v.
    Cesare, 
    154 N.J. 394
    , 413 (1998).      We uphold the court's fact findings if
    supported by sufficient, substantial, and credible evidence in the record. N.J.
    Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. M.M., 
    189 N.J. 261
    , 279 (2007). We defer to
    a trial court's factual findings because the judge has had the opportunity to
    observe witnesses, weigh their credibility, and develop a "feel of the case." 
    Id. at 293.
    However, we will not hesitate to set aside a ruling that is "so wide of
    the mark that a mistake must have been made." N.J. Div. of Youth & Family
    Servs. v. P.W.R., 
    205 N.J. 17
    , 38 (2011) (quoting 
    M.M., 189 N.J. at 279
    ).
    We also accord no deference to the trial court's "interpretation of the law
    and the legal consequences that flow from established facts." Manalapan Realty,
    L.P. v. Twp. Comm. of Manalapan, 
    140 N.J. 366
    , 378 (1995). The Division
    "must prove that the child is 'abused or neglected' by a preponderance of the
    A-1596-18T4
    11
    evidence, and only through the admission of 'competent, material and relevant
    evidence.'" 
    P.W.R., 205 N.J. at 32
    (quoting N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.46(b)).
    The trial court found the Division established abuse or neglect pursuant to
    N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.21(c), which declares a child to be abused or neglected if the
    child's:
    physical, mental, or emotional condition has been
    impaired or is in imminent danger of becoming
    impaired as the result of the failure of his parent . . . to
    exercise a minimum degree of care . . . (b) in providing
    the child with proper supervision or guardianship, by
    unreasonably inflicting or allowing to be inflicted
    harm, or substantial risk thereof, including the
    infliction of excessive corporal punishment; or by any
    other acts of a similarly serious nature requiring the aid
    of the court . . . .
    [N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.21(c)(4).]
    The purpose of Title Nine is "to protect children 'who have had serious
    injury inflicted upon them' and make sure they are 'immediately safeguarded
    from further injury and possible death.'" N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v.
    A.L., 
    213 N.J. 1
    , 18 (2013) (quoting N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.8(a)). Thus, "[t]he law's
    'paramount concern' is the 'safety of the children,' and 'not the culpability of
    parental conduct[,]'" and "[t]he focus in abuse and neglect matters . . . is on
    promptly protecting a child who has suffered harm or faces imminent danger. "
    A-1596-18T4
    12
    
    Ibid. (citations omitted) (quoting
    G.S. v. Dep't of Human Servs., 
    157 N.J. 161
    ,
    177 (1999)).
    Courts need not wait for harm to occur, but the Division must present
    proof of "'imminent danger or a substantial risk of harm to a child by a
    preponderance of the evidence.'" N.J. Dep't of Children and Families v. E.D.-
    O., 
    223 N.J. 166
    , 178 (2015). In other words, "evidence of actual impairment
    will satisfy the statute, but in a case where there is no such proof, the critical
    focus is on evidence of imminent danger or substantial risk of harm." 
    A.L., 213 N.J. at 22
    .
    Also, "[t]o find abuse or neglect, the parent must 'fail . . . to exercise a
    minimum degree of care.'" 
    E.D.-O., 223 N.J. at 179
    (quoting N.J.S.A. 9:6-
    8.21(c)(4)(b)). This requires "'conduct that is grossly negligent because it is
    willful or wanton . . . but not necessarily intentional.'" 
    Ibid. (quoting G.S. 157
    N.J. at 178). "Willful or wanton" conduct is "done with the knowledge that
    injury is likely to, or probably will, result." 
    Ibid. (quoting G.S., 157
    N.J. at 178).
    It "implies that a person has acted with reckless disregard for the safety of
    others." 
    Ibid. (quoting G.S., 157
    N.J. at 179). "[T]herefore, the Court held that
    'a guardian fails to exercise a minimum degree of care when he or she is aware
    of the dangers inherent in a situation and fails adequately to supervise the child
    A-1596-18T4
    13
    or recklessly creates a risk of serious injury to that child.'" 
    Ibid. (quoting G.S., 157
    N.J. at 181).
    The determination "is fact-sensitive and must be resolved on a case-by-
    case basis." 
    E.D.-O., 223 N.J. at 192
    . Courts undertaking this analysis "must
    avoid resort to categorical conclusions." 
    Id. at 180
    (citing Dep't of Children &
    Families, Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. T.B., 
    207 N.J. 294
    , 309 (2011)).
    "Instead of filling in missing information . . . judges must engage in a fact-
    sensitive analysis turning on 'particularized evidence.'" N.J. Div. of Child Prot.
    & Permanency v. R.W., 
    438 N.J. Super. 462
    , 468-71 (App. Div. 2014) (quoting
    
    A.L., 213 N.J. at 28
    ).
    III.
    Defendant first argues that "[e]ven assuming the acts of domestic violence
    occurred as reported, the evidence . . . is insufficient to establish harm to the
    children and cannot support a finding of abuse and neglect," as the Division "did
    not prove that the children faced a substantial risk of harm from merely being
    present in the home when the incidents occurred." We agree with Kyle and the
    Law Guardian with respect to the February 28, 2016 incident but are unable,
    without further factual findings from the trial court, to resolve the issues related
    to the August 21, 2016 and January 29, 2017 incidents and accordingly vacate
    A-1596-18T4
    14
    those portions of the court's January 24, 2018 order and remand for further
    proceedings consistent with this opinion.
    As to the first incident, the court found that Kyle "essentially[] use[d] a
    sleeping child as a shield" and "did not think about the impact on [Mindy], if
    she suddenly woke up to find armed officers in her bedroom," or "the fear . . .
    she might have had if they had to draw their weapons." Those findings are
    unsupported by the record.
    Because Annie could not recall the February 28, 2016 incident, Sergeant
    Field's trial testimony provided the basis for the court's factual findings. He did
    not, however, testify directly, nor is it a reasonable inference from his testimony,
    that Kyle used Mindy as a shield, or that she was at risk of harm due to Kyle's
    presence in the room. And Sergeant Field did not state that Mindy was at risk
    of harm based on the police presence in her room while armed or otherwise.
    Although Kyle was found hiding in the closet, he was arrested and removed from
    Mindy's room without incident and without waking her. Consequently, the
    court's determination that Mindy was placed in imminent danger or exposed to
    a substantial risk of harm as a result of Kyle's conduct on February 28, 2016 is
    so "inconsistent with the competent, relevant and reasonably credible evidence
    as to offend the interests of justice," that it must be reversed. See Griepenburg
    A-1596-18T4
    15
    v. Twp. of Ocean, 
    220 N.J. 239
    , 254 (2015) (quoting Rova Farms Resort v.
    Investors Ins. Co., 
    65 N.J. 474
    , 484 (1974)); Pioneer Nat'l Title Ins. Co. v. Lucas,
    
    155 N.J. Super. 332
    , 338 (App. Div.), aff'd o.b., 
    78 N.J. 320
    (1978).
    The court's factual findings related to the August 21, 2016 and January
    29, 2017 incidents present a different challenge to our usually deferential
    standard of review. Specifically, the court's findings do not address those
    portions of Annie's testimony at the fact-finding proceeding that contradicted
    her earlier statements to the police.
    With respect to the August 21, 2016 incident, the court found based on
    Annie's and Officer Brennan's credible testimony that Annie was restrained for
    "an hour or more." That conclusion was based on the statement Annie gave to
    police. Annie stated at trial, however, that Kyle "held [her] in the closet hostage
    for a couple of minutes" and admitted that she "[did not] remember how long
    . . . [as she] was just trying to get out of there." The court's oral opinion does
    not reconcile this conflicting evidence and, in fact, incorrectly characterized
    Annie's recorded statement and her trial testimony as "identical." This is not an
    insignificant discrepancy as the court relied on the length of time Annie was
    restrained in the closet when it determined Kyle effectively rendered Mindy
    unsupervised, and hence at a risk of harm, by removing Annie as a caretaker.
    A-1596-18T4
    16
    Similarly, with respect to the January 29, 2017 incident, the court's claim
    that both children "were, essentially, left home alone for at least an hour" as a
    result of Kyle's conduct is also contrary to Annie's testimony at the fact finding
    proceeding. Although Annie told the police Kyle punched her in the face,
    "pulled out a knife," and "had [her] in the kitchen for . . . almost an hour," at the
    fact-finding proceeding she stated that during the incident she "kept going back
    and forth" between the kitchen and Steven's room and was already "giving [him]
    his medication." Annie also emphasized that after the incident began, she put
    Steven down, had a baby monitor, and continued to check on him. It is clear
    from these portions of the transcripts that contrary to the court's characterization,
    Mindy's version of events as recounted on her police statement and testimony
    was not "identical."
    On remand, the court should issue additional factual findings addressing
    the aforementioned discrepancies and should also address whether the court 's
    amended factual findings alter its conclusion that the Division satisfied its
    burden to establish that the children were placed in imminent danger or
    substantial risk of harm by Kyle's acts of domestic violence on August 21, 2016
    and January 29, 2017. N.J. Div. of Child Prot. & Permanency v. Y.N., 
    222 N.J. 308
    , 309 (2015); 
    A.L., 213 N.J. at 22
    ; see also N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.46. Specifically,
    A-1596-18T4
    17
    the court should clarify its findings regarding the circumstances surrounding the
    August 21, 2016 and January 29, 2017 incidents, including, but not limited to,
    the clear dispute regarding the length of time during which the events transpired
    and the attendant risk of harm, if any, to the children. With respect to the
    January 29, 2017 incident, the court should also resolve whether Annie was able
    to attend to Steven's needs and if any delay in providing medical care or
    medicine led to a substantial risk of harm or imminent danger. Finally, to the
    extent the court accepts Annie's version of the events based on her recorded
    statement as opposed to her testimony at the fact-finding proceeding to support
    its amended findings, the court should make that finding, and the bases for it,
    clear. We leave the scope of the remanded proceedings to the discretion of the
    trial court.
    IV.
    Because we are remanding the matter for additional factual findings
    related to the August 21, 2016 and January 29, 2017 incidents, we address Kyle's
    argument that the court committed reversible error when it admitted into
    evidence photographs of Annie's injuries. We disagree with Kyle that the court
    abused its discretion when it admitted and considered the photographs as they
    were clearly relevant and not unduly prejudicial.
    A-1596-18T4
    18
    "[I]n reviewing a trial court's evidential ruling, an appellate court is
    limited to examining the decision for abuse of discretion." Hisenaj v. Kuehner,
    
    194 N.J. 6
    , 12 (2008). Under that standard, "[c]onsiderable latitude is afforded
    a trial court in determining whether to admit evidence," and "an appellate court
    should not substitute its own judgment for that of the trial court, unless 'the trial
    court's ruling was so wide of the mark that a manifest denial of justice resulted.'"
    New Jersey Div. of Child Prot. & Permanency v. N.T., 
    445 N.J. Super. 478
    , 492
    (App. Div. 2016).
    Photographic evidence is usually admissible as demonstrative proof,
    assuming it is relevant, N.J.R.E. 401; fairly and accurately depicts the subject
    matter at the time of the event in question, Spedick v. Murphy, 
    266 N.J. Super. 573
    , 590 (App. Div. 1993); is properly authenticated or verified as a true
    representation, Garafola v. Rosecliff Realty Co., 
    24 N.J. Super. 28
    , 42 (App.
    Div. 1952); and is not otherwise unduly prejudicial, confusing, misleading or
    wasteful of time. N.J.R.E. 403.
    N.J.R.E. 401 defines "relevant evidence" as "evidence having a tendency
    in reason to prove or disprove any fact of consequence to the determination of
    the action." Courts consider evidence to be probative when it has a tendency
    "'to establish the proposition that it is offered to prove.'" Wymbs ex rel. Wymbs
    A-1596-18T4
    19
    v. Twp. of Wayne, 
    163 N.J. 523
    , 534 (2000) (quoting Green v. New Jersey Mfrs.
    Ins. Co., 
    160 N.J. 480
    , 492 (1999)). The evidence must be probative of a fact
    that is "really in issue in the case," as determined by reference to the applicable
    substantive law. State v. Buckley, 
    216 N.J. 249
    , 261 (2013) (quoting State v.
    Hutchins, 
    241 N.J. Super. 353
    , 359 (App. Div. 1990)).
    Under N.J.R.E. 401, "[e]vidence need not be dispositive or even strongly
    probative in order to clear the relevancy bar." 
    Buckley, 216 N.J. at 261
    . "The
    proponent need not demonstrate that the evidence can, in and of itself, establish
    or disprove a fact of consequence in order to meet the benchmark of N.J.R.E.
    401." State v. Cole, 
    229 N.J. 430
    , 448 (2017). "Once a logical relevancy can
    be found to bridge the evidence offered and a consequential issue in the case,
    the evidence is admissible, unless exclusion is warranted under a specific
    evidence rule." 
    Burr, 195 N.J. at 127
    ; see N.J.R.E. 402.
    Here, the photographs clearly cross the low evidentiary bar of N.J.R.E.
    401. The photographs were relevant, and not unduly prejudicial, because they
    informed the court of the extent of the domestic abuse and the degree to which
    Annie was incapacitated by Kyle in the closet and kitchen and to the degree the
    children may have been rendered unsupervised. Further, although the court did
    not expressly cite N.J.R.E. 403, we glean from the court's comments that the
    A-1596-18T4
    20
    photographs "somewhat relat[e] to the issue at hand" and the weight it would
    give was "yet to be determined" that it considered the prejudicial impact of those
    proofs. Finally, here there was no jury, and an experienced judge "is much less
    likely to be prejudiced by [its] admission than a one-case, fact-finding jury
    would be." In re Commitment of R.S., 
    339 N.J. Super. 507
    , 539 (App. Div.
    2001).
    V.
    Nothing in our decision should be interpreted as excusing Kyle's conduct
    during any of the three incidents or minimizing its significance. In that regard,
    we note the availability of potential relief under the Prevention of Domestic
    Violence Act of 1991, N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 to -35, or the Criminal Code for those
    actions. Here, however, we are charged with analyzing the issues under Title
    Nine, where our primary concern is the "safety of . . . children," and "not the
    culpability of parental conduct." 
    A.L., 213 N.J. at 18
    , and where courts must
    "engage in a fact-sensitive analysis" based on competent evidence and cannot
    "fill[] in missing information." See 
    R.W., 438 N.J. Super. at 468-71
    (quoting
    
    A.L., 213 N.J. at 28
    ).
    Reversed in part, vacated and remanded in part, and affirmed in part as to
    the photographic evidence. We do not retain jurisdiction.
    A-1596-18T4
    21