Kenneth H. v. Fay F.

The court’s conclusion, based on a totality of the circumstances, that an award of sole custody to petitioner would be in the best interests of the child is supported by a sound and substantial basis in the record, and is entitled to deference (see Eschbach v Eschbach, 56 NY2d 167, 173 [1982]; Matter of Naomi S. [Hadar S.], 87 AD3d 936 [1st Dept 2011], lv denied 18 NY3d 805 [2012]). The record supports the court’s findings that, notwithstanding petitioner’s reportedly troubled past, since the *543child was placed into his care in December 2007, after being removed from respondent’s care following…