HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-3441MARY E. WITTLE,
Plaintiff
VS
SUSANN HARREN and
JEFFREY A. WITTLE,
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO.
VISITATION
NOTICE
You have been sued in Court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following
pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice are served,
by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court
your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to
do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court
without further notice for any money claimed in the complaint or for any other claim or relief
requested by the plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you.
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.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
32 BEDFORD STREET
CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA 17013
TELEPHONE: 717-249-3166
MARY E. WITTLE,
Plaintiff
VS
SUSANN HARREN and
JEFFREY A. WITTLE,
Defendants
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
: VISITATION
COMPLAINT FOR VISITATION RIGHTS
AND NOW comes Plaintiff, by and through her attomey, John H. Broujos of Broujos & Gilroy,
P.C., and files this Complaint in accordance with 23 PaCSA 5311 ff and avers as follows:
1. Plaintiff is Mary E. Wittle, an adult individual residing at 9834 Jonestown Road,
Grantville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17028.
2. Defendant is Susann Harren, an adult individual residing at 723 Valley Street, Ist floor,
Enola, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17025, referred to herein as Defendant. Defendant is
Jeffrey A. Wittle, an adult individual last known to reside at 19 W. Locust Street,
Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055, referred to herein as Father. His
workplace is unknown and he apparently has no cell phone.
3. Plaintiff seeks visitation of her grandchildren, Casie Harren-Wittle, age 11, and Codi
Harren-Wittle, age 4, residing at 723 Valley Street, Enola, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
· Casie Harren-Wittle was bom May 14, 1992 and is eleven years of age; Codi Harren-
Wittle was bom July 14, 1998 and is five years of age.
· Children am presently in the custody of Defendant who resides at 723 Valley Street, 1st
Floor, Enola, PA 17025.
During the past five years, Children have resided with the following persons and at the
following addresses:
Person Address Dates
Susann Harren 723 Valley St, 1st floor 3/02 to present
Michael Spoonhour (fianc6) Enola, PA 17025
Susann Harren 723 Valley St, 1st floor 2/02 to 3/02
Enola, PA 17025
Susann Harren
Jeffrey Wittle
Susann Harren
Susann Harren
Jeffrey Wittle
723 Valley St, 1st floor
Enola, PA 17025
723 Valley St, 1st floor
Enola, PA 17025
723 Valley St, 1~t floor
Enola, PA 17025
8/02 to 2/02
10/00 to 8/01
5/97 to 10/00
The Mother of Children is Susann Harren, currently residing at 723 Valley Street, 1st
Floor, Enola, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17025.
· She is not married to Father.
4. The relationship of Plaintiffto Children is that of Grandmother.
· The Plaintiff currently resides with the following persons:
Name Relationship
Linda Latsha Roommate
5. The relationship of Defendant to Children is that of Mother.
· The Defendant currently resides with the following persons:
Name Relationship
Michael Spoonhour fianc~
Casie Harren-Wittle son
Codi Harren-Wittle son
6. Plaintiff has not participated as a party or witness, or in another capacity, in other
litigation concerning the custody of Children in this or another Court.
7. Plaintiff has no information of a custody proceeding concerning Children pending in a
Court of this Commonwealth.
8. Plaintiff does not know of a person not a party to the proceedings who has physical
custody of Children or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to Children, except
Father of Children.
9. Each parent who has parental rights to Children which have not been terminated and the
person who has physical custody of Children are parties to the action. Father consents to
visitation rights in Plaintiff and is a party to this action.
10. Since the date of birth of Children, Plaintiff would see Children at least every weekend,
from a couple hours through the entire weekend from Saturday to Monday morning, caring for
Children, changing their diapers, and performing mother functions during the entire period of
visitation approved by Defendant.
11. If Children had a cold or other physical ailment, Plaintiff would take care of Children in
the role of a mother.
12. Defendant Mother of Children never objected to this care. On the contrary, she wanted
and accepted the performance of parental functions by Plaintiff, particularly since Mother
worked every day on weekends as a bartender and waitress; again, with no objection from
Defendant.
13. The attitude of Defendant gradually hardened. On an occasion, Defendant and her
boyfriend were upset because they thought Plaintiff had not made a call prior to dropping off
clothing; however, Plaintiff had called and the phone had not been answered. This demonstrated
an example of the continuing difficulty and lack of cooperation of Defendant and denial of
visitation, particularly after boyfriend got into the picture of custody of Children.
14. The older Child tried to contact Plaintiff; and when Defendant and boyfriend became
aware, they directed Plaintiff from entering premises; and they threatened arrest.
15. Phone numbers of Defendant were changed more than once so Plaintiff and her son could
not arrange to see Children. By registered letters and other letters, Plaintiff was prohibited from
talking to Children.
16. Written notices by Defendant were delivered to Plaintiff, directing her not to enter the
premises and to take Children away for compliance, or even for communication. Plaintiff would
take personal cards to Children at the house of Defendant, after Children were in bed, and
proffered the cards to Defendant, with the boyfriend standing nearby; and Children indicated
they never received the cards.
17. Within the last two months, Plaintiff attempted a telephone call to Children; and Plaintiff
talked with Child Casie, at which time the step-grandfather refused to permit Child to talk to
Plaintiff.
18. Plaintiff has been unable to enjoy visitation of children throu?:~ Father, since Father also
was prohibited from visitation with Children, ostensibly because of non payment of support; the
last visitation of Father being sometime around March 30, 2003.
19. To PlaintiWs knowledge, Father has had no or insufficient visitation with Children since
that date.
20. Defendant advised Plaintiff to the effect that under no circumstances would Plaintiff have
any visitation through Father, since for some reason Defendant and her boyfriend did not want
Plaintiff to have visitation with Children. On numerous occasions, Defendant denied visitation
to Father because Father permitted Children to be taken in the presence of Plaintiff whether or
not Father was present.
2l. Defendant told the daughter of Plaintiff that Plaintiff could not have visitation because
Defendant wanted a stable family environment, since Defendant and her boyfriend were going to
become married.
22. A grandmother should not be deprived of the right to visitation because of the failure of
Father to pay support.
23. For these and other reasons, Plaintiff avers that visitation with Children would be in the
best interests of Children.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court to grant visitation rights to Children to Plaintiff and
Father.
~°~Att ~ey for Plaintiff
~UJOS & GILROY, P.C.
4 North Hanover Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
717/243-4574; 717/766-1690
FAX# 717/243-8227
Date:
I verify that the statements in the foregoing pleading are tree and correct. I understand that false
statemems herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 PaCS 4904 relating to unswom
falsification to authorities.
Date:
Wit~le~
mary
NOTICE TO PLEAD
In accordance with PRCP 1026 and 1361, you are hereby notified to file a written response to the
enclosed Complaint for Visitatlon Rights within twenty (20) days from service hereof or a
judgment may be entered against you.
~for Plaintiff
MARY E. WITTLE :
PLAINTIFF :
V. :
SUSANN HARREN AND JEFFREY A.
:
WITTLE
DEFENDANT
IN TIlE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
03-3441 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, ~ Thursday, July 24, 2003 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before _Jacqueline M. Verney, Esq. , the conciliator,
at 4th Floor, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at _9:30 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 all 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 ]acqueline M. Ve_rney. Esq.
Custody Conciliator
The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County is required by law to comply with 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 be 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 ATTORNEY OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO FiND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
MARY E. WITTLE
PLAINTIFF
SUSANN HARREN AND JEFFREY A.
WiTfLE
DEFENDANT
iN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
03-3441 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Tuesday, August 05, 2003 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Dawn S. Sunday, Esq. , the conciliator,
at 39 West Main Street, Meehaniesburg, PA 17055 on Tuesday, September 02, 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 alyOear at the conference may
provide grounds for entry of a temporary or permanent order.
The court hereby directs the parties to furnish any and all existing Protection from Abuse orders,
Special Relief orders, and Custody orders to the conciliator 48 hours prior to scheduled hearing.
FOR THECOURT,
By: /s/
Dawn S. Sunday, Esq.
Custody Conciliator
The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County is required by law to comply with 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 be 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 ATTORNEY OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO F1ND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
V1NVA'IASNNL"zld
MARY E.WITTLE, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS.
03-3441 CWIL ACTION LAW
SUSANN HARREN AND JEFFREY
WITTLE
Defendants
1N CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this /Y-o day of ?~ , 2003, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. The Patemal Grandmother, Mary E. Wittle, shall have periods of visitation with Casie
Harren- Wittle and Codi Harren-Wittle every two weeks at the Harrisburg YMCA, YWCA or other
agency selected by agreement of the parties. The periods of visitation shall be scheduled by agreement
between the Mother and the Grandmother at times when the Chil&en do not have other regularly
scheduled activities. The periods of visitation shall continue until the second conciliation conference
scheduled in this Order, unless otherwise agreed between the parties. The parties agree that although
other family members may participate in the periods of visitation, the Grandmother shall ensure that
the Father is not present during her periods of custody.
2. The Paternal Grandmother shall be entitled to have reasonable telephone contact with the
Children.
3. The parties and their counsel shall attend a second conciliation conference in the office of the
conciliator, Dawn S. Sunday, on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 1. :00 pm for the purpose of
reviewing the visitation schedule and establishing ongoing arrangements, if appropriate.
4. This Order is entered pursuant to an agreement of the parties at a Custody Conciliation
Conference. The parties may modify the provisions of this Order by mutual consent. In the absence of
mutual consent, the terms of this Order shall control.
BY THE COURT,
cc.~hn H. Broujos, Esquire - Counsel for Paternal G~/~dmother
,,~eanne B. Costopoulos, Esquire - Counsel for Mother
~feffrey A. Wittle - Father
Oq-I
MARY E.WITTLE,
Plaintiff
VS.
SUSANN HARREN AND JEFFREY
WITTLE
Defendants
IN THE COI. PRT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
03-3441 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY RULE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE 1915.3-8, the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following report:
1. The pertinent information concerning the Children who are the subjects of this litigation is
as follows:
NAME
Casie Harren-Wittle
Codi Harren-Wittle
DATE OF BIRTH
CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
May 14, 1992 Mother
July 14, 1998 Mother
2. A Conciliation Conference was held on September 3, 2003 with the following individuals in
attendance: The Paternal Grandmother, Mary E. Wittle, with her counsel, John H. Broujos, Esquire,
and the Mother, Susann Harren, with her counsel, Jeanne Costopc,ulos, Esquire. The Father, Jeffxey A.
Wittle, had been represented by the grandmother's counsel in prior litigation between the Mother and
Father, but did not attend the conference.
3. The Patemal Grandmother filed a petition for periods of custody/visitation with the Children.
The parties agreed to entry of an Order in the form as attached.
Date
Custody Conciliator
MARY E. WITTLE,
Pl~fintiff
VS.
SUSANN HARREN AND
JEFFREY WITTLE
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
03-3441 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this /6-' day of ~Se.z~.~ , 2003, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. The Paternal Grandmother, Mary E. Wittle, shall have periods of partial custody with Casie
Harren-Wittle, and Codi Harren-Wittle for a minimum of sixteen hours each month with the specific
times and dates to be arranged by agreement between the Mother and Grandmother. The parries agree
that although other family members may be present during periods of partial custody, the Grandmother
shall ensure that the Father does not have contact with the Children during her periods of custody.
The Grandmother also shall ensure that the Children's homework is completed during any after-school
periods of custody.
2. The Paternal Grandmother shall have custody of the Children for the family Christmas party
on December 27, 2003 and during other holiday periods as arranged by agreement. The Grandmother
shall ensure that the Father is not present during holiday periods of custody.
3. The Paternal Grandmother shall be entitled to have reasonable telephone contact with the
Children.
4. This Order is entered pursuant to an agreement of the parties at a Custody Conciliation
Conference. The parties may modify the provisions of this Order by mutual consent. In the absence of
mutual consent, the terms of this Order shall control.
BY THE COURT,
K7A' Hess
cc: John H. Broujos, Esquire - Counsel for Paternal Grandmother
Jeanne B. Costopoulos, Esquire - Counsel for Mother
MARY E. WITTLE,
Plaintiff
VS.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
03-3441 CIVIL ACTION LAW
SUSANN HARREN AND
JEFFREY WITTLE
Defendant
IN CUSTODY
Prior Judge: Kevin A. Hess
CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY RULE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE 1915.3-8, the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following report:
1. The pertinent information concerning the Children who are the subjects of this litigation is
as follows:
NAME
Casie Harren-Wittle
Codi Harren-Wittle
DATE OF BIRTH
May 14, 1992
July 14, 1998
CURRENTLY 1N CUSTODY OF
Mother
Mother
2. A Conciliation Conference was held on December 10, 2003, with the following individuals
in attendance: The Paternal Grandmother, Mary E. Wittle, with her counsel, John H. Broujos, Esquire,
and the Mother, Susann Harren, and her counsel, Jeanne B. Costopoulos, Esquire. The Father, Jeffrey
Wittle had been represented by the Grandmother's counsel in prior litigation between the Mother and
Father but did not attend the conference.
3. The parties agreed to entry of an Order in the form as attached.
4. According to the Mother and Patemal Grandmother, the Father has had no contact with, nor
made any inquiries concerning the Children since Easter 2003. Neither the Mother or Paternal
Grandmother has information pertaining to the Father's current residence as he no longer resides at the
Mechanicsburg address of his former girlfriend noted in the prior report in these proceedings.
Date Dawn S. Sunday, Esquird
Custody Conciliator
PROTHONOTARY FOR THE. COUNTY OF
CUMBERLAND IN THE
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
{,
7*
IN RE:
WITTLE, MARY V. HARREN, SUSANN
CUSTODY i Jt
2003-3441
aPRAECIPE TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL
TO THE PROTHONOTARY
PLEASE WITHDRAW MY APPEARANCE AS COUNSEL IN THE ABOVE-REFERENCED
MATTER SINCE I HAVE RETIRED FROM PRACTICE AND HAVE NOT BEEN
INVOLVED FOR SOME TIME.
DATE: 10-18-2011
? 1
J04N' . BROU;
ATTQRNEY ID #6268
4 NORTH HANOVER ST.
CARLISLE, PA. 17013
PHONE: 717-2434574