Scott L. v. Bruce N.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Milonas, J.

Petitioner, Scott L., seeks custody of his two nieces, Meredith and Marnee N., urging that, pursuant to Matter of Bennett v Jeffreys (40 NY2d 543), extraordinary circumstances exist such that it is in the children’s best interests that custody be awarded to him. Respondent, Bruce N., the girls’ natural father, has filed a cross petition asking that he be granted sole custody of the children, who were born in wedlock to him and the late Laurie Beth N. The couple divorced in 1981, and thereafter the mother moved to Florida with the girls, then aged three and four…