HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-6291OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
JENNIFER R. SMITH,
Defendant
: 1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: NO. 2001- 6.2 ~ I CIVIL TERM
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
: IN CUSTODY
COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
1. Plaintiff is Oscar Hemandez, an adult individual currently residing at 115
Cranberry Road, Aspers, Adams County, Pennsylvania 17304.
2. Defendant is Jennifer R. Smith, an adult individual currently residing at 4615
South Clearview Drive, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17011.
3. The Plaintiff is the natural Father of the child, Erica Hope Smith, bom August 8,
1998.
4.
5.
lengths of time:
NAME
Oscar Hemandez
Jennifer Smith
Jennifer Smith
The child was bom out of wedlock.
Since birth, the child has resided with the following persons for the following
DATER
Birth to
August 3, 1999
August 3, 1999 to
present
single.
The natural Mother of the child is the Defendant, who resides as foresaid. She is
7. The natural Father of the child is the Plaintiff, who resides as foresaid. He is
single.
8. The relationship of the Plaintiff to the child is that of natural Father. The Plaintiff
currently resides with alone.
9. The relationship of the Defendant to the child is that of natural Mother. The
Defendant currently resides with the child. It is unknown whether the Plaimiff lives with anyone
other than the child.
10. The Plaintiff has no information of a custody proceeding concerning the child
pending in any Court of this Commonwealth.
11. The best interest and permanent welfare of the child will be best served by granting
the relief requested.
12. The Plaintiff does not know of any person not a party to the proceedings who
claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the child.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff, Oscar Hemandez, respectfully requests this Honorable
Court to enter an Order scheduling the Parties for a Custody Conciliation.
Date:
R~ubmitted,
Thomas S. Diehl, Esquire
Attorney for the Plaintiff
One West High Street, Suite 208
Post Office Box 1290
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
(717) 240-0833
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in this Complaint are tree 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.
OSCAR HERNANDEZ, Pla~ffflff
OSCAR HERNANDEZ
PLAINTIFF
V.
JENNIFER R. SMITH
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
01-6291 CIVIL ACTION LAW
:
: IN CUSTODY
AND NOW, Thursday, November 15, 2001 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Jacqueline M. Varney, Esq. , the conciliator,
at 4th Floor, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 at 2:30 PM
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: /s/
lacaueline M. Vernev. Esa. ~ ~A,
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
2 Liberty Avenue
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
LAW OFFICES OF
~VhSLITSKY AND DIEHL
ONE WEST HIGH STREET, SUITE 208
CARLISLE, ,PENNSYJ. VANIA ~7013
OSCAR 11ERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
JENNIFER R. SMITH,
Defendant
: IN TIlE COUP¥1' OF COMMON PLEAS O1:
: CUMBERLANI) COUNTY. PENNSYI,VANIA
: NO. 2001-6291 CIVIL '1 k:P,M
: CIVIl, ACTION - LAW
: IN CUSTODY
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
AND NOW, this 14th day of November 2001, comes Thomas S. Dichl, Esquire, Attorncy
lbr thc Plaintiff; Oscar Ilernandez, and states that he had cause to be mailed a certified copy ora
Complaint tbr Custody to the Defcndant, Jennifer R. Smith, by certified, restrictcd delivery,
return-receipt requested. A copy of said receipt is attached hereto indicating service was made
on November 10, 2001.
Respectfully submitted,
k'Ui'Jmas S. Diehi
Attorney tbr the Plaintiff
One West High Street, Suite 208
Post Office Box 1290
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
(717) 240-0833
(717) 240-0893 - FAX
Sent To
· Comp4ete ~tems 1, 2, and 3. Also comfllete
item 4 if P.e~tltcted Delivery I$ desired.
· P~nt your name and address on the revere
so that we can return th® card to you.
· Attach tills card to the back of ~® mailpiece,
~ on tile front if space permits.
1. ArUo~ Addn~a~d to:
JENNIFER R. SMITH
4615 SOUPH CLEARVIEW DRIVE
CAMP HILL, PA 17011
17 r-I yea
~ add~a belo~ i"l No
2. Article Number
PS Form 3811, March 2001
7000 1670 0001 8780
DEC 0 $ 2Ul , d)
OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
V.
JENNIFER R. (SMITH)
MACHEMER,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: NO. 2001-6291 CIVIL TERM
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this rT," day of ~ ,2001, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as
follows:
1. The Father, Oscar Hemandez, and the Mother, Jennifer R. (Smith)
Machemer, shall have shared legal custody of Erika Hope Smith, bom August 16, 1998.
Each parent shall have an equal right, to be exercised jointly with the other parent, to
make all major non-emergency decisions affecting the Child's general well-being
including, but not limited to, all decisions regarding her health, education and religion.
3. The Mother shall have primary physical custody of the child.
4. The Father shall have the following periods of supervised physical
custody, with his Mother acting as supervisor:
A. Saturday, December 15, 2001 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
B. Thursday, December 27, 2001 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
C. Saturday, December 29, 2001 for a period of eight (8) hours at times
agreed by the parties, and on alternating Saturdays thereafter for eight (8)
hours.
5. Father shall obtain an anger management evaluation from a provider
agreed to by the parties. Father shall follow the recommendations of the evaluation.
Once Father's therapist is satisfied that Father's anger is under control, Father shall be
entitled to nnsupervised alternating weekends with the child, at times agreed by the
parties.
6. Father shall provide all transportation until Mother is physically able to
drive at which time transportation shall be shared as agreed by the parties.
7. 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.
VlNV/\-IA~qNN~d
BY THE COURT,
cc: Thomas S. Diehl, Esquire, Counsel for Father
Timothy J. Colgan, Esquire, Counsel for Mother~.
OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
V.
JENNIFER R. (SMITH)
MACHEMER,
Defendant
PRIOR JUDGE: None
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
_.
: 2001-6291 CIVIL TERM
:
: 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 Child who is the subject of this
litigation is as follows:
NAME
DATE OF BIRTH CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
Erika Hope Smith
August 16, 1998
Mother
2. A Conciliation Conference was held in this matter on December 5, 2001,
with the following individuals in attendance: The Father, Oscar Hemandez, with his
counsel, Thomas S. Diehl, Esquire; and Timothy J. Colgan, Esquire on behalf of Mother,
Jennifer R. (Smith) Machemer, who was present by phone due to a medical restriction.
3. The parties agreed to entry of an Order in the form as attached.
Date
~acq~line M. Vemey, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff/Petitioner
JENNIFER R. (SMITH)
MACHEMER,
Defendant/Respondent
: 1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: NO. 2001-6291 CIVIL TERM
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: IN CUSTODY
PETITION FOR MODIFICATION OF CUSTODY
AND NOW, comes the Petitioner, Oscar Hemandez, by and through his counsel, Thomas
S. Diehl, Esquire, who petitions this Honorbal Court as follows:
1. Petitioner is Oscar Hernandez, an adult individual currently residing at 115
Cranberry Road, Aspers, Adams County, Pennsylvania 17304.
2. Respondent is Jennifer R. (Smith) Machemer, an adult individual currently
residing at 4615 South Clearview Drive, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17011.
The Petitioner is the natural Father of the child, Erika Hope Smith, bom August
16,1998.
4.
The parties are currently subject to a Custody Order dated December 12, 2001,
which was the result of an agreement reached at a Custody Conciliation Conference held on
December 5, 2001. A copy of the resulting Order is attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference as Exhibit 'A.'
5 Other than as noted above, there have been no additional actions relative to
custody of the within named child in any jurisdiction to the Petitioner's knowledge.
follows:
Among the reasons why the Petitioner desires a modification to the Order are as
(a) Paragraph 5 of the Order dated December 12, 2001, required Father to
obtain anger management counseling prior to his receiving periods of
partial, unsupervised, physical custody of the child on alternating
weekends:
(b) Accordingly, Father obtained such counseling through James W. Eash,
LSW, of Riegler, Shienvold & Associates.
(c) Father has since received a letter dated March 26, 2002, from James W.
Eash, LSW, indicating that no further anger management counseling is
recommended at this time. A copy of said letter is attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 'B.'
7. The natural Father of the child is Oscar Hemandez. He is single.
8. The natural Mother of the child is Jennifer R. (Smith) Machemer. She is married.
9. The relationship of the Petitioner to the child is that of natural Father. The natural
Father currently resides with his parents.
10. The relationship of the Respondent to the child is that of natural Mother. The
natural Mother currently resides with her husband.
11. The Petitioner has not participated as a party or a witness in any other capacity in
litigation concerning the child except as noted above.
12. Petitioner has no information of any custody proceeding conceming the child
pending in any Court of this Commonwealth.
13. The child's best interest and permanent welfare would be significantly improved
by modifying the existing Custody Order by providing the child more contact with Father.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner, Oscar Hernandez, respectfully requests this Honorable Court
to enter an Order scheduling the parties for a Custody Conciliation to address modifying the
existing custody order.
Respectfully submitted,
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.
O!CAR~HERN ND~EZ,~,I~ti ff
EXHIBIT A
OSCAa'm A EZ,
Plaintiff
JENNIFER R. (SMITH)
MACHEMER,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: NO. 2001-6291 CIVIL TERM
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this I ~'~ day of~, 2001, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as
follows:
1. The Father, Oscar Hernandez, and the Mother, Jennifer R. (Smith)
Machemer, shall have shared legal custody of Erika Hope Smith, born August 16, 1998.
Each parent shall have an equal right, to be exercised jointly with the other parent, to
make all major non-emergency decisions affecting the Child's general well-being
including, but not limited to, all decisions regarding her health, education and religion.
3. The Mother shall have primary physical custody of the child.
4. The Father shall have the following periods of supervised physical
custody, with his Mother acting as supervisor:
A. Saturday, December 15, 2001 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
B. Thursday, December 27, 2001 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
C. Saturday, December 29, 2001 for a period of eight (8) hours at times
agreed by the parties, and on alternating Saturdays thereafter for eight (8)
hours.
5. Father shall obtain an anger management evaluation from a provider
agreed to by the parties. Father shall follow the recommendations of the evaluation.
Once Father's therapist is satisfied that Father's anger is under control, Father shall be
entitled to unsupervised alternating weekends with the child, at times agreed by the
parties.
6. Father shall provide all transportation until Mother is physically able to
drive at which time transportation shall be shared as agreed by the parties.
7. 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.
RECEIVED
BY THE COURT,
I J.
cc: Thomas S. Diehl, Esquire, Counsel for Father
Timothy J. Colgan, Esquire, Counsel for Mother
TRUE COPY 'I~ROM RECORD
In Testimony whereo)~, I h~.r~. ~'-,.?o set my hand
and t~el seal of said/Court at Carlisle, Pa.
OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
V.
~r~IF~.R ~ (SMm~
MAC)I~.MER,
Defendant
PRIOR JUDGE: None
: IN ~ COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: 2001-6291 CIVIL TERM
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: IN CUSTODY
CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY RULE OF CIVIl.
PROCEDURE 1915.3-8, the undemigned Custody Conciliator submits the following
1. The pertinent information concerning the Child who is the subject of this
litigation is as follows:
NAME
DATE OF BIRTH CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
Erika Hope Smith
August 16, 1998
Mother
2. A Conciliation Conference was held in this matter on December 5, 2001,
with the following individuals in attendance: The Father, Oscar Hernandez, with his
counsel, Thomas S. Diehl, Esquire; and Timothy $. Colgan, Esquire on behalf of Mother,
Jennifer R. (Smith) Machemer, who was present by phone due to a medical restriction.
3. The parties agreed to entry of an Order in the form as attached.
Date
~)tacq~line M. Vemey, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
EXHIBIT B
Riegler · Shie'nvold
& Associates
March 26, 2002
Thomas DieM, Esq.
1 West High Street
Suite 208
Carlisle, PA 17013
RE: Oscar Hernandez
Dear Thomas:
Elliot Riegler, F;h.D. (1'948-1999)
Arnold T. Shienvold, Ph.D.
Melinda Eash, MS
James Eash, LSW
Michael J. Asken, Ph.D.
Bonnie Howard, Ph.D.
Amy K. Keisling, ACSW, LCSW, BCD
Tracy Richards, QCSW, LCSW
Don Lawrence, LSW
Dyanne Seymore, QCSW, LSW
Jeffrey Pincus, Ph.D.
Ann Vergales, ACSW, LSW, BCD
Lisa R. Paponetti, MA
As you requested I am writing to confirm that I have met with Oscar Hernandez to evaluate his
mental status and determine, if there is any psychopathology related to the allegations of physical
abuse again~ his fo~mer girlfriend and child. Mr. Hernandez was referred pursuant to a court
order as part of a custody order dated 12 December, 2001. His initial visit was positive and he
was cooperative. He was aware of the purpose of his visit and was oriented to three spheres. He
was able to answer all questions, was insightful, and understood the difference between right and
wrong. In addition to the interview, Mr. Hernandez completed an MMPI-2 personality inventory.
Oscar reported that he met Jennifer in 1999. He said that a_f[er dating for a "short period" they
began living together, alld Jennifer became pregllallt. He said that after the baby was born they
began to experience "money problems." They eventually separated with Jennifer retaining
custody of the child. Oscar stated that he had no contact with his daughter until September, 2001
when he began to pursue visitation in court. During that process, Jennifer indicated to the court
that Oscar had been verbally and physically abusive with her. He claims, however, that he never
hit or raised his voice in anger against Jennifer or her family. He denies any other physical
assaults or aggression.
Oscar reports that he was born in Florida as the youngest of four children. He was raised by his
natural parents. The family settled in the Gettysburg area while Oscar was in elementary school.
His parents and siblings continue to live in the Gettysburg area in close proximity to one another.
He states that his family was "close" and "loving". He says he was never hit or abused as a child.
Although the MMPI-2 results were valid, Oscar appeared to present himself in an improbably
favorable light. Similar patterns of answers indicate a very psychologically naive person who is
denying common human l~allties. Individuals with this profile present themselves as controlled,
responsible, easygoing and stable. Interpersonally they are friendly and interested in people, but
avoid deep emotional involvement. Conflicts can occur with people who have different beliefs.
Based on the present information, there is no reason to suspect an anger management problem or
problem with abuse. There is evidence of some defensiveness and a low likelihood to admit faults
as presented in his MMPI-2. However, this finding is tempered by the lack of corroborating
evidence of abuse, such as past allegations of abuse, police reports, or arrests. In addition, Oscar
notes that he has a cordial and cooperative relationship with the mother of his first child. There is
APR 0 4 2002
2151 Linglesto~vnRoad. Suite200 - [tarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110 · (717)540-1313 · Fax: (717) 540-1416
no apparem evidence of abuse in that relationship. Based on these findings there is no
recommendation for further anger management counseling. Iffurtber evidence were forthcoming,
this recommendation would be reconsidered.
If you have any questions regarding this evaluation or recommendotion, please feel free to call.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify this 8th day of May 2002, that a tree and correct copy of the foregoing
document was served on the following individual via first-class mail, postage prepaid:
Timothy J. Colgan, Esquire
One South Baltimore
Dillsburg, PA 17019
Ki~b~rly L. Ho~ghr//J
Legal Assistant
OSCAR HERNANDEZ
PLAINTIFF
V.
JENNIFER R. (SMITH) MACHEMER
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
01-6291 CIVIL ACTION LAW
: IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Thursday, May 16, 2002 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Jaequeline M. Verney, Esq. , the conciliator,
at 4th Floor, Cnmherland County Courthouse, Carlisle on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 at 10:30 AM
for a Pre-Heating 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: /s/ ]acqueline M. Verney. .
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 heating 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
2 Liberty Avenue
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
V.
JENNIFER R. (SMITH)
MACHEMER,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: NO. 2001-6291 CIVIL TERM
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this /t~ day of ~ ~ ,2002, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliafion Report, it is ordered and directed as
follows:
1. A Hearing is scheduled in Court Room No. ~ , of the Cumberland
County Court House, on the ~W-/ff day of ~ ,2002, at c~ , 023
o'clock ~4~ . M., at which time testimony willd~e tak~. For purposes of this Hearing,
Mother shall be deemed the moving party and shall proceed initially with testimony.
Counsel for each party shall file with the Court and opposing counsel a Memorandum
setting forth each party's position on custody, a list of witnesses who will be expected to
testify at the Hearing and a summary of the anticipated testimony of each witness. These
Memoranda shall be filed at least ten days prior to the Hearing date.
2. A Pre-trial conference is scheduled in C?~.~ , of the
C,umberl ~a~,d_ County Court House, on the /',a~ day of 426tf~.~ ,2002 at
Q. oD o clock )8~ . M., to discuss the procedural iss~l~is matter.
3. Pending further Order of Court or agreement of the parties the following
shall remain in effect.
4. The prior Order of Court dated December 12, 2001 is hereby vacated.
5. The Father, Oscar Hemandez, and the Mother, Jennifer R. (Smith)
Machemer, shall have shared legal custody of Erika Hope Smith, born August 16, 1998.
Each parent shall have an equal right, to be exercised jointly with the other parent, to
make all major non-emergency decisions affecting the Child's general well-being
including, but not limited to, all decisions regarding her health, education and religion.
3. The Mother shall have primary physical custody of the child.
4. The Father shall have the following periods of partial physical custody:
A. Beginning Friday, June 7, 2002, two consecutive weekends fi.om Friday at
4:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m. and continuing thereafter on an
alternating weekend schedule at the same days and times.
B. Beginning June 11, 2002 every Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
C. July 4, 2002 fi.om 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
D. July 25, 2002 from 4:00 p.m. overnight and continue through Father's
regular weekend.
5. The parties shall share transportation such that they will meet at the
McDonald's in Dillsburg at the exchange times, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
6. 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: Thomas S. Diehl, Esquire, ounsel for Fath~///-
Timothy J. Colgan, Esquire, Counsel for Mother
Jo
JUl O 5 2002
OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
V.
JENNIFER R. (SMITH)
MACHEMER,
Defendant
PRIOR JUDGE: Kevin A. Hess, J.
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: 2001-6291 CIVIL TERM
:
: 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 Child who is the subject of this
litigation is as follows:
NAME
DATE OF BIRTH CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
Erika Hope Smith
August 16, 1998
Mother
2. A Conciliation Conference was held in this matter on June 4, 2002, with
the following individuals in attendance: The Father, Oscar Hernandez, with his counsel,
Thomas S. Diehl, Esquire; and Mother, Jennifer R. (Smith) Machemer, with her counsel,
Timothy J. Colgan, Esquire.
3. A prior Order of Court was entered by the Honorable Kevin A. Hess dated
December 12, 2001 which provided for shared legal custody with Mother having primary
physical custody and Father having periods of supervised visitation pending an
evaluation for anger management.
4. Father's position on custody is as follows: Father received a favorable
evaluation and was seeking through his Petition for Modification, alternating weekends
and one evening per week. However, Mother recently informed Father that she believed
her current husband is the Father of the child in question, not the Petitioner herein.
Father maintains that regardless of the outcome of any paternity testing, Mother should
be estopped from asserting paternity due to the passage of time. Also, Father has been
paying support voluntarily since 1999, a few months after Mother and child moved from
his residence, and by court Order since December, 2001. Father believes it would not be
in the child's best interest to terminate his custody/parental rights. In addition, Mother
recently asked to relocate the child to North Carolina, as her present Husband has been
transferred by his company. Father rejects the offer of physical custody for the summer,
the Christmas holiday and spring break. He believes that Mother is relocating just to
deny him custody of the child. Mother's current husband turned down a prior offer of
promotion with his company to Louisiana to remain in this area. Both parties' families
live in the immediate area. There are no family members living in the Durham, North
Carolina area. Father claims there is prior history of Mother denying custody. Father is
now seeking primary physical custody
5. Mother's position on custody is as follows: She seeks to relocate to North
Carolina where her husband has been offered a promotion and salary increase from
$34,500.00 to $50,000.00 annually with Coventry Health Care. Mother stays at home to
care for her three children: one child is older than Erika, and of school age, with a
different father; one child is younger than Erika, whose father is Mother's current
husband. Mother has only recently asserted that her current husband is the father of
Erika. Mother seeks to terminate Father, Oscar Hernandez' right to custody or parental
rights. Mother's counsel intends to research the state of the law regarding paternity in
such situations and file the appropriate Petition to overturn Father's rights to custody.
Although Mother disputes the dates which Father voluntarily paid support prior to a
support Order being entered, she admits that he has paid support since 1999. Mother
recently withdrew her support action against Father. Mother seeks primary physical
custody and the right to relocate. She has not filed a Petition for relocation or
modification of the present custody Order.
6. Both parties seek a pre-trial conference to discuss the complex issues
presented by this factual situation regarding paternity.
7. The Conciliator suggests an Order in the form as attached scheduling a
pre-trial conference, a hearing and granting the parties shared legal custody, Mother with
primary physical custody and Father with alternating weekends and one evening per
week. It is expected that the hearing will require one day.
Date
J~cqt&line M. Vemey, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
Vo
JENNIFER R. (SMITH)
MACHEMER,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: NO. 2001-6291
: CIVIL TERM
: CIVIL ACTION _ LAW
.'
: IN CUSTODy
STIPULATIO~
AND NOW, comes the Plaintiff, Oscar Hernandez, by and through his counsel, Thomas
S. Diehl, Esquire, who respectfully represents the following:
1. Plaintiff is Oscar Hernandez, an adult individual currently residing at 115
Cranberry Road, Aspers, Adams County, Pennsylvania 17304.
2. Defendant is Jennifer R. (Smith) Machemer, an adult individual currently residing
at 4615 South Clearview Drive, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17011.
3. The Plaintiff filed a Petition for Modification on May 10, 2002.
4. This matter is scheduled to be heard before the Honorable Kevin A. Hess on July
25, 2002.
5 The Plaintiff is represented by Thomas S. Diehl, Esquire, and the Defendant is
represented by Timothy j. Co/gan, Esquire.
2002. 6. The part/es mutually agree to dismiss the hearing currently scheduled for July 25,
JOL-8~-8808 13:18 PI~OM:NILEY LENOX COLSAN 7174380486
FRI31'I : M]~LIT~ ~ IM~"-L FI3.X NO. :
TO: 717 8~0 08~3 P.008~008
Jul. 24 ~ 11:4~ P4
WHkREFOB,.E, partws i~pe~ffull? requests r.his Honnrabl¢ Court t~ dismiss the hearing
¢~rrm~tly schedule for July 25, 2002.
Eaap~effully submitted,
JUL 2 3 2002
A~torn{y for th{ Piai~iff
O~ W~ High S~eet, SWm 208
Pos; 0~ Box 12~
Carlisle, P~sylv~ia 17013
(717) ~0-0~33
Timothy $,
Attorney for
Oa~ 8o~h B~timom 8~et
Dill~b~q, Pennsylv~i~ 17019
(71 ~ 432-~66
OSCAR HERNANDEZ,
Plaintiff
Vo
JENNIFER R. (SMITH)
MACHEMER,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: NO. 2001-6291 CIVIL TERM
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this
Stipulation,
dismissed.
Z.q ' day of July 2002, upon review and consideration of the attached
the above-captioned parties' hearing scheduled for July 25, 2002 is hereby
BY THE COURT:
Jo
cc:
.~omas S. Diehl, Esquire
~nothy J. Colgan, Esquire
7-.2q-0 ;z