Before: Skelos, J.P.; Fisher, Leventhal, Lott, JJ.

Decided: Feb. 2, 2010

McCabe & Mack, LLP, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (Jodie M. Hanrahan of counsel), for appellants Dutchess County, Dutchess County Department of Social Services, and Commissioner of Social Services of Dutchess County.

Boeggeman, George & Corde, P.C., White Plains, N.Y. (Daniel E. O’Neill of counsel), for appellant Diane Sherwood.

Schwartz, Levine & Kaplan, PLLC, New York, N.Y. (Jeffrey A. Kaplan and Ross M. Levine of counsel), for respondent.