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ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW. upon consideration of the attached complaint. it is hereby
directed that the parties and their respective counsel appear before
\~O~ ~.~_I"'\~\.("1~' ,the conciliator. at 34,WeQ,,\\\-.,\*dnl\'C"~ on
the L\ day of ~C\-,te~(. 1997. at 1\ Wo.,m,. for a Pre-Hearing
Custody Conference, At such conference, an effort will be made to resolve
the issues in dispute; or if this cannot he accomplished. to define and
narrow the issues to be heard by the court. and to enter into a temporary
order, Failure to appear at the conference may provide grounds for entry
of a temporary or permanent order.
By the Court.
\'.mwf\. ~. Ji.lli'(\.cln.1..l ~~
Custody Conci I iator t'tt:l~) U-
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE. GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH
BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE yOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP,
COURT ADMINISTRATOR. 4th FLOOR
CUMBF.RLAND COllNTY COURTHOUSE
CARLISLE. PENNSYLVANIA 17013
TELF.PHONE NUMBF.R: 1717) 240-6200
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT Of 1990
The Court of Common Pleas of Cumbe~land County is required by law to
comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, For Information
about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to
disabled IndivIduals having business before the court, please contact our
office, All arranaements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any
hearing or business before the court, You must attend the scheduled
conference or hearlnR,
PETITION FOR MODIFICATION AND CONTEMPT
The plaintiff, Teri Bekhit, avers the following by and
through her attorney, Joan Carey of Legal Services, Inc,:
1, The plaintiff is Teri Bekhit, hereinafter referred to
as the mother, residing at 1205 Heritage Lane, Apartment 132,
Lebanon, Pennsylvania 17042,
2, The defendant is John Backenstoes, hereinafter referred
to as the father, residing at 1284 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling
Springs, Pennsylvania 17007,
3. The parties are the parents of Ashlie Jayne
Backenstoes, born June 30, 1983, and Tabatha Ann Backenstoes,
born December 4, 1984,
4, On or about June 21, 1990, Judge Herbert A, Schaffner
entered an order in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas
granting both parents shared legal custody, the father primary
physical custody, and the mother partial physical custody
according to the following schedule:
a. From June 1, 1991 to August 3, 1991, on alternate
Saturdays from 8:00 A,M. to 6:00 P,M, Commencing on August
J, 1991, on alternate weekends from Saturday at 8:00 A.M. to
Sunday at noon.
b, On holidays- to include Thanksgiving Day, Ashliet.
Birthday, New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas- on an
alternating basis, both consecutively and from year-to-year,
from 10:00 A.M. until 5:00 P,M" with the rotation beginning
with Defendant having the children for Thanksgiving Day,
1989, and Plaintiff having them for that holiday in 1990,
and so on;
c, Each year on Tabatha's birthday, and on Ash1ie's
birthday in those years other than as set forth in "B"
above, from 4:00 P,M, until 8:00 P,M,;
d, Every Mother's Day (with Plaintiff similarly
having them for every Father's Day).
A certified copy of the custody order is attached and
incorporated by reference,
5. On or about June 18, 1995, Tabatha went to live with
the mother, and continues to reside with her in Lebanon, PA" by
agreement of the mother and father, The Dauphin County CUstody
Order has not been formally modified to reflect the status quo,
but the mother is in the process of doing so,
6, Since on or about June 21, 1990, the father has
willfully disobeyed the court order as to Ashlie in that he has
denied the mother her periods of partial physical custody in
spite of the mother's consistent attempts to exercise her
custody,
7. The Custody Order of June 21, 1990, should be modified
for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:
a. It is in the best interests of Ashlie to continue
her relationship with her mother through continued and consistent
TERI BEKHIT, . IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
,
Plaintiff
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v. .
.
, NO,97- 1/~J CIVIL TERM
.
JOHN BACKENSTOES, .
,
Defendant , CUSTODY
.
COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
1, The plaintiff, Teri Bekhit, hereinafter referred to as
the mother, resides at 1205 Heritage Lane, Apartment 132,
Lebanon,PA 17042.
2. The defendant, John Backenstoes, hereinafter referred to
as the father, resides at 1284 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling
Springs, PA 17007.
3. The plaintiff seeks shared legal and partial physical
custody of the following child:
Present Residence
1284 Boiling springs Road
Boiling springs, PA 17007
The child was not born out of wedlock,
~
14
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Ashlie Jayne Backenstoes
The child is presently in the custody of the father, who
resides at 1284 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling springs,
Pennsylvania 17007.
During the past five years, she has resided with the
following persons and at the following addresses:
~
John Backenatoes
Lori Backenatoe.
Alexia Backenatoes
Address
1284 Boiling Springs Road
Boiling spring., PA 17007
~
1994-1997
John Backenatoes
Lori Backenatoe.
Alexia Backenatoea
Lewiaberry, PA
1992-1994
concerning the child pending in a court of this Commonwealth.
8, The plaintiff does not know of a person not a party to
the proceedings who has physical custody of the child or claims
to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the child.
9. The best interest and permanent welfare of the child
will be served by granting the relief requested for reasons
including, but not limited to, the following:
a, It is in the best interests of Ashlie to continue
her relationship with her mother through continued and
consistent periods of custody.
b. It is not in Ashlie's best interests to be
separated from her sibling, Tebatha, who resides with
the mother.
c. The father has at times denied the mother access
to Ashlie and has consistently and unreasonably limited
contact between the mother and Ashlie to visits at his
home, only allowing a few visits away from his home.
d. The father has unreasonably limited phone contact
between the mother and Ashlie.
10. Each parent whose parental rights to the child have not
been terMinated and the person who has physical custody of the
child have been named as parties to this action.
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Teri Bekhit, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff ,
.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. ,
,
, NO. 97- '1/.13 CIVIL TERM
.
:
John Backenstoes, .
.
Defendant . CUSTODY
.
PRAECIPE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS
To the Prothonotary:
Kindly allow the plaintiff, Teri Bekhit, to proceed in forma
DaUDeris.
I, Joan carey, attorney for the party proceeding in forma
pauperis, certify that I believe the party is unable to pay the
costs and that I am providing free legal services to the party.
The party's affidavit showing inability to pay the costs of
litigation is attached hereto.
II /. ,/
, /
'A-vu \.::'Ul.<---'A
/Joan 'carey (I
'Attorney for Plaintiff
LEGAL SERVICES, INC,
8 Irvine Row
carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-9400
Teri Bekhit, . IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
.
plaintiff
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs, NO, 97- 'II ~J I CIVIL TERM
,
,
John Backenstoes,
Defendant , CUSTODY
.
A!FIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF PETITION
FOR ~EAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS
1, I am the plaintiff in the above matter and because of my
financial condition am unable to pay the fees and costs of
prosecuting, defending, or appealing the action or proceeding.
2, I am unable to obtain funds from anyone, including my
family and associates, to pay the costs of litigation,
3. I represent that the information below relating to my
ability to pay the fees and costs is true and correct,
(a) Name: Teri Bekhit
Address: 1205 Heritaqe Lane, ADartment 132
Lebanon. PA 17042
social Security Number: 203-52-6091
(b) If you are presently employed, state
Employer: palmvra Diner
Address: 1061 East Main Street
Palmvra, PA 17078
salary or wages per month: $1148.00
Type of work: Waitress
If you are presently unemployed, state
Date of last employment: N/A
Salary or wages per month: N/A
Type of work: N/A
(c) Other income within the past twelve months
Business or profession: N/A
Other self-employment: N/A
plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF cx:t1MON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COONTY, PENNSYLVANIA
TERI BEKHIT,
,
.
vs.
: NO. 97-4123 CIVIL TERM
:
JOlIN BACKDlSTOES,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
: CUSTODY/VISITATION
awm OF <XllR'r
AND tuft this ~ day of C~ ~, .. 1:.4, 1997, upon
consideration of the attached CUstody Conciliation Report, it is ordered
and directed as follO\(s:
I. 'l1le provisions governing custody of Ashlie Jayne Backenstoes
set forth in the Order dated June 21, 1991 and entered in the Dauphin
COUnty COurt of 0:II1In0n Pleas, are vacated and replaced with the provisions
of this Order.
2. The Mother, Teri Bekhit, and the Father, John Backenstoes,
shall have shared legal custody of Ashlie Jayne Backenstoes, born June 30,
1983.
3. The Father shall have primary physical custody of the Olild.
4. The Mother shall have partial physical custody of the Child
on alternating weekends, beginning the weekend of Septelltler 13, 1997, from
Saturday at 8:00 a.m. through Sunday at 6:00 p.m. The Mother's weekend
periods of custody may be expanded to begin on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m.
as permitted by Ashlie's activities and hanework schedule.
5. The Mother shall have partial physical custody of the Olild
for an additional one week period during each month of the sunmer school
break every year from the Friday or Saturday of the Mother I s regular
weekend period of custody through the follO\(ing Sunday.
6. The parties shall alternate having custody of the Olild on
holidays as follO\(s:
A. Olristmas: The Olristmas holiday shall be divided into
Segment A, which shall run from Olristmas Eve at 12:00 noon
until Olristmas Day at 12:00 noon and Segment a, which shall
run from Olristmas Day at 12:00 noon until Decelrber 26 at
12:00 noon. 'l1le Mother shall have custody of the Child
during Segment A in odd m:.ltJered years and during Segment a
in even nUll'bered years. 'l1le Father shall have custody of the
Olild during Segment A in even nUll'bered years and during
Segment a in odd nUll'bered years.
a. Alternat!!!g holidaI!: The parties shall alternate having
custody of the Olila from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on the
follO\(ing holidays, beginning with the Mother having custody
of the Child on Thanksgiving in 1997: Thanksgiving, New
Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Ashlie's birthday, July 4th
and Labor Day.
C. Mother's Day/Father's Day: The Mother shall have custody of
the Child in every year on Mother's Day and the Father shall
have custody of the Child in every year on Father's Day.
7. '!tie Mother shall also have custody of the Child at such other
times as arranged by mutual agreement of the parties.
8. '!tie Mother agrees to provide reasonable notice to the Father
of any cancellations of a scheduled period of custody.
9. In the event of necessary cancellation by either party of a
scheduled period of custody, the parties shall negotiate an
alternative/substitute period of custody within a reasonable time frame.
10. The parties shall share transportation for exchanges of
custody under this Order by meeting half way between their residences
unless otherwise arranged by agreement of the parties.
11. The parties shall PraIlltly inform each other of any changes
in their respective addresses or telephone nunbers.
12. Neither party shall remove the Olild fran the Catmonwealth of
Pennsylvania for an overnight period or longer without first providing the
other party with an address and telephone nunber where the Child can be
reached.
13. The Mother shall be entitled to reasonable telephone contact
with the Child up to two times per week during weekdays and one time during
the Father's periods of weekend custody.
14. The parties may modify the provisions of this Order by mutual
agreement. In the absence of mutual agreement, the terms of this Order
shall control.
BY TIlE CXXIRT,
J.
ee: Joan Canyt Esquire - COUnsel for
John Back_toes - Pro se
er
~.L.~~(,.( "p"If?
j,~
TERI BEKHIT,
: IN THE OOURT OF CQolMOO PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COONTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
.
.
vs.
: NO, 97-4123
CIVIL TERM
.
.
JOON BACKENSTOES,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
: CUS'roOY/VISITATION
CUl'l'OOlC CXH:ILIATION SlJIlARY RERRl'
IN ACXXIUlANCB WI'J.'II aJmIlRLAND aumc RllLB OF CIVIL PR)"" liD
1915.3-8, the undersigned CUstody Conciliator submits the following report:
I. 'ltle pertinent information concerning the Child who is the
subject of this litigation is as follows:
NMB
IlM'B OF BIR'l'H
OIlRENlLY IN CUl'l'OOlC OF
Ashlie Jayne Backenstoes
June 30, 1983
Defendant/Father
2. A Conciliation Conference was held on Septentler 4, 1997, with
the following individuals in attendance: The Mother, Teri Bekhit, with her
COUIl8el, Joan Carey, Esquire, and the Father, John Backenstoes, Pro Se, and
his wife, Lori Backenstoes.
3. A pdor CUstody Order was entered in this matter on June 21,
1991 by Judge Herbert A. Schaffner in the Dauphin County Court of Comnon
Pleas at !locket No. 1640 5 1989. 'ltle Order set forth cuatody arrangements
with respect to Ashlie Jayne Backenstoes, born June 30, 1983 as well aa for
the parties' other daughter, Tabatha Ann Backenstoes, born Oecelrber 4,
1984. The Order awarded primary physical custody of the Children to the
Father subject to a partial custody schedule for the Mother. By agreement
of the parties in June 1995, the Mother aasumed primary physical cuatody of
the parties' youngest daughter, Tabatha. Tabatha continues to live with
the Mother in Lebanon County. The Father continues to have primary
physical custody of Ashlie, who is the subject of this Petition, and
currently resides in Boiling Springs, Cuntlerland County. The parties are
currently in the pcocess of negotiating modified custody arrangements for
Tabatha, which they intend to have entered as a Court Order in Lebanon
County where the Olild resides wi th her Mother.
4. The parties agreed to entry of an Order in the form as
attsched with respect to cuatody arrangements for Ashlie with the exception
of the provision governing telephone contact between the Mother and the
Olild, which is the reco......ndation of the Conciliator. The illSue of
telephone contact was the subject of much controversy at the Conference,
with the Mother seeking to have three (3) telephone calls with Ashlie each
week. and the Father requesting that the contacts be limited to two (2) per
WMlt.
<~IWI~1 9 /997
Da~ ,.
'r~~,~L~
wn s. YI Esqu f'8
CUstody Conciliation
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