HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-2654TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. BASWELL and,
MARTIN J. MCDONALD,
Defendants
:IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
:CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:NO. 03- ~/,~'~' CIV1L TERM
:CUSTODY
COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
1. Plaintiff, Terryanne Grace (hereafter "Grandmother"), is an adult individual who
resides at 197 Holiday Avenue, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
2. The Defendants are Tammy Baswell (hereafter "Mother"), an adult individual who
resides at 2513 South 48t~ Street, Kansas City, Kansas, 66106 and Martin McDonald (hereafter
"Father") an adult individual who resides at 15B East Derry Road, Hershey, Dauphin County,
Pennsylvania, 17033.
3. Plaintiff seeks custody of the following child:
Name Present Residence Age
Rebecca Ryen Kumler 197 Holiday Avenue 9
Mechanicsburg, PA (DOB 6/1/94)
The child was born out of wedlock.
The child lives with Grandmother who resides at 197 Holiday Avenue, Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055, pursuant to a written agreement in which Mother gave
Grandmother the guardianship of the child. (A copy is attached as Exhibit A.) In addition to the
written agreement, Mother and Grandmother had an oral agreement that the child was to live
with Grandmother for two (2) to three (3) months while Mother's husband, Thomas Baswell,
(hereaflcer "Stepfather") was ill. At the date of this complaint, the child has resided with the
Grandmother for the last year and five (5) months.
During the past five years, the child has resided with the following persons and at the
following addresses:
Individuals
Address Date
Terryanne Grace
Jackie Freeburn
197 Holiday Avenue
Mechanicsburg, PA
1/02- present
Tammy Baswell
Thomas Baswell, Sr.
Katie Baswell
Thomas Baswell, Jr.
Mackenzie Baswell
Nathaniel Baswell
2513 South 48th St.
Kansas City, KS
8/00 -1/02
Tammy Baswell
Thomas Baswell, Sr.
Katie Baswell
Thomas Baswell, Jr.
Mackenzie Baswell
2513 South 48~ St.
Kansas City, KS
10/99 - 8/00
Tammy Baswell
Thomas Baswell, Sr.
Katie Baswell
Thomas Baswell, Jr.
2513 South 48~ St.
Kansas City, KS
6/98 - 10/99
The mother of the child is Tammy Baswell, currently residing at 2513 South 48th Street,
Kansas City, Kansas, 66106.
She is married to Thomas Baswell, Sr.
The father of the child is Martin McDonald, currently residing at 15B East Derry Road,
Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17033.
He is single.
4. The relationship ofplaintiffto the child is that of maternal grandmother. The plaintiff
currently resides with the following persons:
Name
Rebecca Ryen Kumler
Jackie Freeburn
Relationship
Granddaughter
Former sister-in-law
5. The relationship of defendant Mother to the child is that of biological mother. The
defendant currently resides with the following persons:
Name Relationship
Thomas Baswell, Sr.
Katie Baswell
Thomas Baswell, Jr.
Mackenzie Baswell
Nathaniel Baswell
Husband
Step-daughter
Step-son
Daughter
Son
6. The relationship of defendant Father to the child is that of biological father. The
defendant currently resides with the following persons:
Name
Wendy (last name unknown)
Brittany (last name unknown)
Relationship
Girlfriend
Girlfriend's daughter
7. Plaintiff filed a Petition for Special Relief Seeking Emergency Custody today.
Plaintiff has no information of a custody proceeding concerning the child pending in a
court of this Commonwealth or any other state.
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.
8. The best interest and permanent welfare of the child will be served by granting the
relief requested because:
a) Plaintiff is best able to provide the care and nurturing which the child needs for
healthy development;
b) Plaintiff provides the child with a home with adequate moral, emotional and physical
surroundings as required to meet the child's needs;
c) Plaintiff is willing to accept custody of the child;
d) Plaintiff exercises parental duties and enjoys the love and affection of the child;
e) The child has established a strong psychological bond with Grandmother;
f) Plaintiff has encouraged a relationship with the child's biological father.
9. 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.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests the court to grant her legal and primmy physical
custody of the child and allow Father partial physical custody as agreed by Plaintiff.
June 4, 2003
Erin L. Benson
Certified Legal Intern
LUCY JOHNSTON-WALSH
Supervising Attorneys
FAMILY LAW CL1NIC
45 North Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717)-243-2968
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in this Complaint are true and correct. I understand that
false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. §4904 relating to unsworn
falsification to authorities.
Plaintiff
Exhibit
CC: Terryanae Grace
From: Tammy Lorraine Baswell
Date: 1/23/2002
R~: Rebecca Kumier
Parental rigid.
I hereby give my mother Ten, anne Grace guardianship ofmydanghterR, ebeccaKuraler. Shewill
be under her care for the remaining of this school year and through the rest of this year.
I give Terryanne Grace to give her any medical attention that she will need while in her care.
Her father is Martin Mcdonald. There is no contact or conversations between him to us. Any further
information can be given as needed.
Tammy Baswell
TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaimiff
TAMMY L. BASWELL and,
MARTIN J. MCDONALD,
Defendants
:IN TI-I~ COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
iCUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
iNO. 03- c~b$"4tCIVIL TERM
:CUSTODY
PRAECIPE TO PROCEED 1N FORMA PAUPERIS
Kindly allow Terryanne Grace, Plaintiff, to proceed in forma pauperis.
The Family Law Clinic, attorneys for the party proceeding in forma pauperis, certifies that
we believe the party is unable to pay the costs and that we are providing free legal service to the
party.
Respectfully submitted,
Date
Erin L. Benson
Certified Legal Intern
THO
ROBER'T~. RAINS
LUCY JOHNSTON-WALSH
Supervising Attorneys
FAMILY LAW CLINIC
45 North pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
717-243 -2968
TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. BASWELL and,
MARTIN J. MCDONALD,
Defendants
:IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
:CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:NO. 03- CIVIL TERM
:CUSTODY
PETITION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF SEEKING EMERGENCY CUSTODY PURSUANT
TO PA R.C.P. 1915.13
AND NOW, this 4th day of June, 2003, pursuant to Rule 1915.13 of the Pennsylvania
Rules of Civil Procedure, comes the Petitioner, Terryanne Grace, by her attorneys, the Family
Law Clinic, seeking emergency custody of the minor child, Rebecca R. Kurnler, bom June 1,
1994. Petitioner states the following in support of her Petition for Special Relief:
1. Plaintiff, Teriyanne Grace (hereafter "Grandmother"), is an adult individual who
resides at 197 Holiday Avenue, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17055.
2. Plaintiffis the child's maternal grandmother and has standing, pursuant to 23
Pa.C.S.A. § 5313, as she stands in loco parentis to the child.
3. The Defendants are Tammy Baswell (hereafter "Mother"), an adult individual
who resides at 2513 South 48~ Street, Kansas City, Kansas, 66106 and Martin
McDonald (hereafter "Father") who resides at 15B East Derry Road, Hershey,
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17033.
4. The Defendants are the biological parents of, the minor child, Rebecca R. Kumler,
(hereafter "child") born June 1, 1994.
5. Since January 2002, Rebecca has resided with Grandmother at Mother's request,
and by written consent of the Mother to be the child's guardian. (Attached as
Exhibit A)
6. The child's stay with Grandmother was originally intended to last for two (2) or
three (3) months.
7. Mother has not visited the child for the last year and five (5) months that she has
resided with Grandmother.
8. In the last year and five (5) months, Mother has sent only three (3) letters to the
child, two of which were responses to letters written by the child to her Mother.
9. Mother speaks with the child over the phone approximately twice a month.
10. Since her birth, the child had no contact with her Father, until six (6) weeks ago.
In the past six (6) weeks, the child has visited with her Father approximately
fifteen (15) times.
11. Grandmother has encouraged and supported the development of a relationship
between the child and her Father.
12. On June 2, 2003, Mother contacted Grandmother and threatened to come to
Pennsylvania to take the child to Kansas.
13. Grandmother has filed a custody complaint simultaneously with this Petition for
Special Relie£
14. Grandmother has established a strong bond with the child as the child's primary
caretaker.
15. Grandmother believes it is in the child's best interest to remain with her at this
time, pending custody conciliation.
WHEREFORE, Grandmother requests the Court to grant her legal and primary physical
custody of the child, with Father to have periods of partial custody as agreed to by Grandmother,
pending a custody conciliation on this matter.
June 4, 2003
Erin L. Benson
Certified Legal Intern
THOI~S I~. PLACE
ROBERT E. RAINS
LUCY JOHNSTON-WALSH
Supervising Attorneys
FAMILY LAW CLINIC
45 North Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717)-243 -2968
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in this Petition are true and correct. I understand that
false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. §4904 relating to unswom
falsification to authorities,
Plaintiff
Exhibit
CC: Tenyanne Grace
From: Tammy Lorraine Baswell
Date: 1/23/2002
Re: Rebecca Kumler
Parental ~lhtS.
I hereby give my mother Ter~yanne Grace guardianship of my daughter Rebecca Kumler. She will
be under her care for the remaining of this school year and through the rest of this year.
[ gi~ve Terryanne Grace to give her any medical attention that she will need while in her care.
~nfOer father is Martin Mcdonald. There is no contact or conversations between him to us. Any further
nmtion can be given as needed.
Tammy Baswell
TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. BASWELL and,
MARTIN J. MCDONALD,
Defendants
JUN 0 5 2003
:IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
:CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:NO. 03- 3~,s't/CIVIL TERM
:CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this ~a~ day ofv ~ 2OO3, upon consideration of the attached
Petition for Special Relief, it is hereby Ordered as follows:
1. Effective immediately, tl~ PI,2,,d,~"~ T~,j .... O .... , ~1...111 .... l~sol and p~hmary
pr_y::_: ....... ; ......... L:_- 7_5.~, Rebecca Ryen Kumler, pending fu'rt~
Court. Father shall have partial physical custody as the Plaintiff agrees.
A hearing regarding this Petition for Special Relief is hereby scheduled
~ for the ~.l'~day of 7~'~' ~ 2003 at $.'~ o'olookSU
Cou~room Number ~ , Cumberl~d County Cou~house, C~lisle, Pe~sylv~a
17013, at w~ch time the p~ies, ~ong with their leg~ counsel, s -
TERRY ANNE GRACE
PLAINTIFF
TAMMY L. BASWELL AND MARTIN J.
MCDONALD
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
03-2654 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Wednesday, June 11, 2003 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective coansel appear before Hubert X. Gilroy, Esq. , the conciliator,
at 4th Floor, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle on Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 8:30 AM
for a Pre-Hearing Custody Conference. At such conference, an effort will be made to resolve the issues in dispute; or
if this cannot be accomplished, to define and narrow the issues to be heard by the court, and to enter into a temporary
order. All children age five or older may also be present at the conference. Failure to appear at the conference may
provide grounds for entry of a temporary or permanent order.
The court hereby directs the parties to furnish any and ali existing Protection from Abuse orders,
Special Relief orders, and Custody orders to the conciliator 48 hours prior to scheduled hearing.
FOR THE. COURT.
By:. /si
Hubert X. Gilroy. Esq.
Custody Conciliator
~lae Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County is required by law to comply ~vith the
Americans with Disabilites 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 arrangements must he made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court. You must
attend the scheduled conference or hearing.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR ATTORNEY AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE AN ATTOIC2qEY OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE ~[~rlE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pe~msylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF CO~ON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAi~D COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. : NO. 03-2654 CIVIL TERM
: CUSTODY
TA/~I~Y L. BASWELL and
MARTIN J. McDONALD,
Defendants
IN RE: PETITION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
RDER F RT
AND NOW, this 12th day of June, 2003, after
consultation with the parties, and it appearing to the Court
that the child has been in the care and custody of her maternal
grandmother continuously since January of 2002, and it further
appearing that a complaint for custody has been filed, we will
enter a Temporary Order pending conciliation. This Order is
temporary in nature only and is not meant in any way to reflect
how we would decide this matter based upon a full hearing on the
merits. The Temporary Order is designed only to preserve the
status quo consistent with the safety and welfare of the child.
With that in mind, it is hereby ordered and directed as follows:
1. The child shall remain in the care and custody
of her maternal grandmother, Terryanne Grace, pending the
conciliation conference and/or further Order of this Court.
2. Father shall be entitled to periods of partial
physical custody of the child as agreed to by Plaintiff.
Provided, that said periods of partial physical custody shall
not be on an overnight basis until further Order of Court.
3. Mother may have periods of partial physical
custody with the child as Plaintiff agrees.
4. No party shall remove the child from this
Court's jurisdiction without further Order of Court.
The Court Administrator is directed to schedule
a custody conciliation as soon as practical.
Mother shall be notified of all proceedings
her address at 2513 South 48th Street, Kansas City, Kansas,
66106. Father and grandmother shall be notified of all
proceedings through their respective counsel.
By the
Edward E. Guido, J.
at
Erin L. Benson, Certified Legal Intern
Lucy Johnston-Walsh, Esquire
Family Law Clinic
For the Plaintiff
Jarad W. Handelman, Esquire
For Defendant Martin J. McDonald
Tammy L. Baswell
2513 South 48th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66106
Court Administrator
srs
TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. BASWELL and,
MARTIN J. MCDONALD,
Defendants
:IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
:CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:NO. 03- 2654 CIVIL TERM
:CUSTODY
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Erin L. Benson, Certified Legal Intern, hereby certify that a copy of the Custody
Complaint, Order of Court dated June 12, 2003 signed by Judge Guido and Order of Court dated
June 12, 2003 signed by Custody Conciliator, Hubert Crilroy was served on Tammy L. Baswell at
2513 South 48th Street, Kansas City, Kansas, 66106 by depositing a tree and correct copy of the
same in the United States Mail, registered mail, return receipt, postage paid in Carlisle,
Pennsylvania on June 19~, 2003.
The same was also served upon Jarad W. Handelman, Esq., attorney for Martin J.
McDonald, at P.O. Box 650, Hershey, PA 17033, by depositing a tree and correct copy of the
same in the United States mail, First Class, postage prepaid.
Date:
Certified Legal Intern
FAMILY LAW CL1NIC
45 North Pitt St.
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-2968
_ Registered No.
PS Form 3806, Receipt for Registered Mail Copy I - Customer
June 2002 (See Information on Reverse)
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item 4 f Restricted Delivery is desired.
· Print your name and address on the reverse
so that we can return the card to you.
· Attach this card to' the back of the mailpiece,
or on the front if space permits.
1. Article Addressed to:
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(Transfer from servk~e label)
~ Form 3811, August 2001
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C. Date of Delivery
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If YES, enter delivery address below: [~ No
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Domestic Return Receipt
102595-02-M.0835
TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaintiff
V
TAMMY L. BASWELL and,
MARTIN J. McDONALD,
Defendants
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: NO. 2003 - 2654 CIVIL
:
: IN CUSTODY
CO~TO~ER
AND NOW, this ~g~r4 day of August, 2003, upon consideration of the attached Custody
Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as follows:
The above captioned action is consolidated with a prior action involving the
parties at Docket Number 95 - 5353.
2. A temporary custody order is entered as follows:
The Maternal Grandmother, Terryanne Grace, the Mother, Tammy
L. Basweil, and the Father, Martin J. McDonald, shall enjoy shared
legal custody of Rebecca Ryen Kumler, born June 1, 1994.
Physical custody of the minor child shall be such that the Maternal
Grandmother shall retain primary physical custody of the child for the
school year starting August 25, 2003. From that point on, the Father,
Martin J. McDonald, shall enjoy periods of temporary physical
custody of the minor child as agreed upon by the parties. After August
25, 2003 and in the event the Mother is in the Cumberland County
area, Mother shall enjoy temporary physical custody with the minor
child at that time.
The Mother shall enjoy physical custody with the minor child for the
remainder of the summer with the Mother to return the minor child to
the Maternal Grandmother on the Saturday before school begins.
Counsel for the parties shall work between themselves in an effort to
arrange transportation for the minor child to go from Cumberland
County to Kansas. In the event the parties are unable to reach an
agreement on that issue, counsel for the parties may contact the
conciliator directly and the conciliator may submit a modified order to
this court to address the transportation issue.
The non-custodial parent or Maternal Grandmother shall enjoy reasonable
telephone contact with the minor child when the child is in the custody of
another party.
A heanng is scheduled in Courtroom No. ~t~_, on~the~4~ Floor of the
CqmberJand. County Courthou,~.e, on the ~ day of
~ , 2003 at ~ ~_.M. At this hearing, the
Maternal Grandmother, Terryanne Grace, shall be the moving party and
shall proceed initially with testimony. Counsel of the parties shall f'de with the
court and opposing counsel a memorandum setting forth the history of
custody in this case, the issues currently before the court, a list of witnesses
who will be called to testify on behalf of each party and a summary of the
anticipated testimony of each witness. This memorandum shall be filed at
least five (5) days prior to the mentioned hearing date· In the event either
party retains a professional psychologist or professional custody evaluator to
be involved in this case, the party having custody of the minor child shall
ensure that the child is available to attend any evaluation or custody sessions
and, if requested, the parties will make themselves available for any
evaluation sessions.
Edward E. Guido
~l~ee Osterling, Esquire
arad Handelman,
~rin L. Benson
Esquire
07- 09-03
TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaintiff
V
TAMMY L. BASWELL and,
MARTIN J. McDONALD,
Defendants
Prior Judge: Edward E. Guido
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: CIVIL ACTION- LAW
:
: NO. 2003 - 2654 CIVIL
:
: 1N CUSTODY
CONCILIATION CONFERENCE SUMI~IARY ~REPORT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY CIVIL RULE OF
PROCEDURE 1915.3-8(b), the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following
report:
The pertinent information pertaining to the child who is the subject of this litigation
is as follows:
Rebecca Ryen Kumler, born June 1, 1994.
A Conciliation Conference was held on July 31, 2003, with the following individuals
in attendance:
The Maternal Grandmother, Terryanne Grace, with her representative, Erin L.
Benson, of the Dickinson School of Law Family Law Clinic; the Father, Martin J.
McDonald, with his counsel Jarad Handelman, Esquire; and present on behalf of the
Mother, Tammy L. Baswell, who resides in Kansas was Attorney Lee Osterling.
This is a case that was before Judge Guido on June 12, 2003 for a conference in
Chambers and involves a situation where a 9 year old child has been living with her
Maternal Grandmother in Cumberland County for the last year and a half. The
Mother is now seeking return of the child to Kansas. The Maternal Grandmother
suggested that the child is better off staying with her, and the Maternal Grandmother
is seeking primary physical custody of the minor child. The Father has recently
reentered the picture in the child's life and the Father is supporting the Maternal
Grandmother's claim, especially because Father resides in Hershey and has been able
to exercise periods of temporary custody with the minor child now that the child is in
Cumberland County. The Mother may seek to have some type of psychological
evaluation performed or may even seek to have a custody evaluation performed in
advance of a hearing. The conciliator consulted with Judge Guido with respect to a
temporary order pending a hearing, and the conciliator is recommending that the
child remain in the Maternal Grandmother's custody for the school year until a full
hearing on the merits may be held. However, the conciliator is of the opinion that
the Mother should exercise custody with the minor child for the remainder of the
summer subject to appropriate arrangements being made between the parties.
The conciliator recommends the entry of an order in the form as attached.
Law Offices of Lee E. Oesterling, LLC
42 East Mare Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 790-5400
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF THE 9th JUDICIAL
DISTRICT CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
TERRYANNE GRACE
Plaintiff / Respondent
Vo
TAMMY L. BASWELL
Defendant / Petitioner
MARTIN J. MCDONALD
Defendant
No. 2003-2654
Civil Action-Petition to
Conduct In Camera Interview
With Child
PETITION TO CONDUCT IN CAMERA INTERVIEW WITH MINOR CHII
Tammy L. Baswell, Defendant in the above captioned action, by and through her
attorney, Lee E. Oesterling, Esquire, brings this, her Petition to Conduct an In Camera
Interview with Minor Child pursuant to Rule 1915.11 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure and avers as follows:
1. Petitioner is Tammy L. Baswell, Defendant in the underlying Custody Action.
2. Respondent is Terryanne Grace, Plaintiff in the underlying Custody Action.
3. The Petitioner is the natural mother of the child Rebecca Kumler (DOB: 6-1-94),
age 9.
4. The custody of Rebecca Kumler is the subject of this litigation, which is scheduled
for a custody hearing on October 6, 2003.
5. Petitioner, Tammy Baswell, lives with her husband and Rebecca's siblings
McKenzie (4 y/o) and Nathaniel (2 y/o) at 2513 South 48th Street, Kansas City,
Kansas 66106.
6. Petitoner, Tammy Baswell believes that the best welfare and interest of the child,
Rebecca Kumler, would be served by awarding primary physical custody of the child
to petitioner during the school year.
7. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has held that while a child's preference is not
controlling it is an important factor to consider in determining best interests. Martin
v. Martin, 386 Pa Super328, 562 A2d 1389 (1989).
8. Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1915.11 (b) provides in part that The Court
may interrogate a child in open court or chambers, in the presence of the attorneys
and the interrogation shall be part of the record.
9. In order to amplify and provide a complete record in an atmosphere that minimizes
any detriment to the child petitioner requests that the court conduct an in camera
interview with Rebecca immediately prior to the October 6, 2003 hearing. Petitioner
further requests that counsel for all parties be present at said interview.
10. Petitioner believes that an interview with the child will be helpful to the court to
explore the child's relationship with her siblings and the nature of her relationship
with the parties to this action.
11. Both counsel for Petitioner Erin Benson and Jarad Htmdleman, Esquire for
Defendant, Martin McDonald have been sent a copy of this Petition on this date.
12. Petitioner has sought the consent of Respondent for the relief requested herein,
however, consent has not been forthcoming.
13. Petitioner has attached hereto a proposed Order and Rule to Show Cause, Rule
Returnable in 5 days, due to the close proximity of the hearing date and the fact that
the probative value of a child's testimony in a custody proceeding is well established
in law.
WItEREFORE, in accordance with Pa R.C.P 1915.11 (b), Petitioner respectfully
requests this Honorable Court to:
(a) Order the parties to assure the child's attendance at the hearing;
(b) Order the child to be present prior to the heating for the Court to conduct an
in camera interview with the child for the purpose of determining the child's
adjustment to and preference as to custodial environments;
(c) Order the interview to be conducted in the presence of counsel and on the
record
Respect~
/Lee~. Oest~i
Supreme Court I.D.//71320
42 East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA. 17055
(717) 790-5400
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF THE 9th JUDICIAL
DISTRICT CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
TERRYANNE GRACE
Plaintiff / Respondent
TAMMY L. BASWELL
Defendant / Petitioner
MARTIN J. MCDONALD
Defendant
No. 2003-2654
Civil Action-Petition to
Conduct In Camera Interview
With Child
ORDER
AND NOW, this ~ day of ~" ~/~ ,2003, upon
consideration of the attached Petition to Conduct In Camera Interview With Child and pursuant
to the Court's authority under Pa. R.C.P. 1915.1 l(b), it is hereby ORDERED that the parties
make the child, Rebecca Kumler, available to appear in Judge's Chambers at~,'~.m on ~
,2003 for the purpose of conducting an in camera interview with the
child. It is further ORDERED that only cotmsel for the parties shall be present during the
interview and that the interview shall be part of the record.
TERRYANNE GRACE,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. BASWELL and,
MARTIN J. MCDONALD,
Defendants
DEC 3 ? 2003
:iN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
:CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:NO. 03- 2654 CIVIL TERM
:CUSTODY
CUSTODY AGREEMENT AND ORDER OF COURT
THIS AGREEMENT, made this I ~ day of ~ , 2003, between
Terryannc Grace, (hereinafter Grandmother), Tammy L. Baswel], (hereinafter Mother) and
Martin J. McDonald, (hereinafter Father), concerns the custody of the child, Rebecca Ryen
Kumler, (hereinafter the Child) bom June 1, 1994.
Grandmother, Mother, and Father, each being represented by counsel, desire to enter into
an agreement as to the custody of the Child as follows:
1. All parties shall share legal custody of the Child with the understanding that
whichever party has physical custody of the Chikt at any given time will have full
authority to make decisions in the best interest of the child. If any significant
medical situations arise with the Child, the party with physical custody of the
Child will notify the other parties as soon as reasonably possible.
2. Grandmother shall have primary physical custody of the Child until December 24,
2003. In the event that Mother is in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, before
December 24, 2003, she shall enjoy temporary physical custody of the Child.
3. From the date of this agreement to December 24, 2003, Father shall have physical
custody of the Child every other weekend, from Friday at 7 p.m. to Sunday at 7
p.m. If Father is scheduled to work during his custodial weekend, the Child shall
be in the custody of Grandmother during his work hours. Father shall provide all
transportation.
Mother shall have primary physical custody of the Child beginning December 24,
2003 subject to the following:
a) Grandmother and Father shall share physical custody of the Child
during her summer breaks from school. Mother will provide that the Child
is ready to travel to Pennsylvania within t/hree (3) days after the last day of
each school year. The Child shall return to Mother at least seven (7) days
prior to the start of the next school year. Transportation expenses for the
Child's trip to and from Pennsylvania during her summer breaks will be
shared equally among the three parties to this action.
b) Grandmother and Father shall share physical custody of the Child on an
alternating week basis during her summer breaks. In the case that Father is
working during his custodial period, Grandmother shall have physical
custody of the Child during his work hours. Father will provide all
transportation of the Child to and from Grandmother's home.
c) Grandmother and Father shall have the right to share physical custody
of the Child during her Christmas holidays from school. Other than the
December 24, 2003, flight to Kansas for which Mother shall be
responsible, Grandmother and Father will assume the transportation
expenses for the Child's travel to and from Pennsylvania during her
Christmas holidays. Grandmother or Father must notify Mother of their
intention to exercise custody over the Child during Christmas vacation no
later than November 15th of each year. Grandmother and Father will
divide physical custody of the Child so that each party gets equal time with
her during her Christmas breaks, provided that one of them shall have
custody of the Child for Christmas Eve and the other shall have custody of
her Christmas Day, alternating yearly.
If Father does not pay his fair share of the Child's transportation expenses, as
outlined by this agreement, Grandmother shall retain physical custody of the child
during her time in Pennsylvania, subject to his right to visit the Child.
No party may transport the Child without a valid driver's license, or allow others
to do so.
Mother shall provide Grandmother and Father with the Child's medical insurance
information, card and appropriate claims forms, while the Child is in their
custody, and execute whatever documents are necessary so that the Child may be
provided with medical cam.
All parties shall be entitled to reasonable telephone access with the Child, which
is presumed to be tl~ree times a week, while she is in the custody of another party.
Other family members, including the Child's Aunt, Lorie Wagarman, shall be
allowed reasonable telephone access within the above parameters. The Child
shall have the unfettered ability to communicate with any of the parties, without
interference, including that there be no recording of the conversations.
No party will do anything which may estrange the child from another party, or
injure the opinion of the Child as to another party, or which may hamper the free
and natural development of the Child's love and respect for another party. No
10.
party shall speak ill of another party in the presence of the Child nor allow others
to do so.
The parties intend to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and intend that this
Agreement be entered as an Order of Court.
Terry~nne Grace
Plaimiff Defendant~
Erin L. Benson // Lee Oeste~elS~gS~s~. ~'
Certified Legal Intern /
Robert E. Rains, Esq.
SUPERVISING ATTORNEY
42 E. Main St
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Counsel for Defendant Mother
Martin M~Donald
Defendant
Jarad Handelman, Esq.
134 Sipe Ave.
Hummelstown, PA 17036
Counsel for Defendant Father
FAMILY LAW CLINIC
45 North Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-2968
Counsel for Plaintiff
Approved and Entered as an Order of the Court.
Date
Edward E. Guido, J.