¶1The preponderance of the credible evidence supports the finding, made after a hearing (see Matter of Tammie Z., 66 NY2d 1 [1985]), that respondent subjected his two young children to emotional harm (see Nicholson v Scoppetta, 3 NY3d 357, 370 [2004]) by encouraging them to make false allegations against their maternal grandfather that resulted in repeated and distressing interviews and medical examinations, and by engaging in a campaign to alienate the children from their mother (see Matter of Ramazan U., 303 AD2d 516, 517 [2003]). Respondent’s decision not to testify allowed the court “to draw the strongest negative inference” against him (Matter of Devante S., 51 AD3d 482 [2008] [internal quotation marks omitted]). Supreme Court properly consolidated this child protective proceeding with the divorce/custody action pending before it given its extensive familiarity with the many common factual and legal issues (see e.g. Paul B. S. v Pamela J. S., 70 NY2d 739 [1987]; Kosovsky v Zahl, 52 AD3d 305, 305 [2008]). It was not a violation of CFLR 603 for the court to order consolidation on its own initiative and without a motion having been made, where *445the court gave all parties an opportunity to be heard (see Nelson v Lundy, 300 AD2d 967, 968 [2002]). We have considered respondent’s other arguments and find them without merit. Concur—Tom, J.P., Friedman, Gonzalez, McGuire and Acosta, JJ.
57 A.D.3d 444
In re Daniel D.
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
Decided December 30, 2008
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York · decided 2008-12-30
Decided 2008-12-30