HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-5835
ELIZABETH B. STONE, ESQ
ATTORNEY ID NO. 60251
414 BRIDGE STREET
NEW CUMBERLAND PA 17070
(717) 774-7435
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS
JOHN C. and ROSE M. BAKER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiffs, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 2008-51935 - CIVIL TERM
AMANDA M. AND RODNEY W.
BENNAGE,
Defendants IN CUSTODY
COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
NOW comes the plaintiff, by her attorney, Elizabeth B. Stone, Esquire, and files this complaint
and agreement for custody, representing as follows:
1. The Plaintiffs are John C. and Rose M. Baker, adult individuals currently residing at
1075 Orrs Bridge Drive, Hamden Township, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
17050-2141.
2. The Defendants are Amanda M. and Rodney W. Bennage, adult individuals currently
residing for the next 2 days at 4150 Wertzville Road, Hamden Township, Enola, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17025.
3. The Plaintiffs are the maternal grandparents of the minor male child, named Zane Colley
Bennage, (born September 9, 2002, age 6 years of age).
.I
4. The Defendants are the natural biological mother and the adoptive father of the subject
minor child.
5. The child has resided with the maternal grandparents, Plaintiffs herein, since June, 2008.
The child lived with both parties in a shared custody arrangement for most of this past year, as neither
the Mother nor the Father could get the child to school on any given day.
6. The parties shared equal custody in June and July, 2008. Since August 1, 2008, the
grandparents have had Zane full-time since he began Kindergarten at St. Joseph's School for which they
pay the tuition.
7. It is averred by the Plaintiffs that all interested parties agreed with the decision that Zane
should live with his grandparents full-time based upon what was in the best interests of the minor child.
8. It is averred by Plaintiffs that the Mother carries a diagnosis of bi-polar and major
depression and is addicted to marijuana.
9. It is averred by Plaintiffs that the Mother has been off her prescribed
and necessary medications since prior to June, 2008.
10. It is averred by Plaintiffs that the Mother was committed into the Holy Spirit Outpatient
Treatment Facility last week, but ejected out of the program for failing to attend even one day.
11. It is averred by the Plaintiffs that the Mother has failed to report to her job for the last
several weeks and instead sleeps all day after smoking marijuana all night long.
12. It is averred by the Plaintiffs that neither the Mother nor the Father are in any condition
to raise a six year old in a safe and clean environment.
13. It is believed and therefore averred that the parents intend to remove the minor child from
this jurisdiction on Friday, October 3, 2008, and relocate to Mifflin County.
14. It is believed and therefore averred that if the child is permitted to leave with his parents
he will be placed in a dangerous and unhealthy environment.
15. It is believed that Father has not paid any bills associated with their apartment and most
bills have remained unpaid for months; hence they are leaving to avoid the collection agencies.
16. The child has remained with the grandparents since August, 2008, who now desire to
obtain a Court Order so that they can attend to any medical needs with the pediatrician, follow-up visits
and emergency needs and register him for school, as well as, other extra-curricular activities that the
child may become involved in from time to time. The Plaintiffs have no intentions of keeping the minor
child from his biological parents; however, they do believe that this is in the best interests of the child to
ensure adequate care, a clean environment and a loving home while the minor child lives in their home.
17. It is believed and therefore that neither the Mother nor the Father are in any condition to
care for this child.
18. It is averred by the Plaintiffs that the Mother and the Father are being evicted from their
home for failure to pay rent over the last four months, in addition to the absolute filth in which the
parties are currently living. (See attached photos taken by Plaintiffs on September 25, 2008.)
19. The Plaintiffs have not participated as a party, witness or in any other capacity in other
litigation concerning the custody of this child in this or another court.
20. The Plaintiffs have no information regarding any other custody proceeding concerning
the child pending in a court of this Commonwealth.
21. The Plaintiffs do 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.
22. The Plaintiffs believe and therefore aver that the best interests and permanent welfare of
the child require that the parties have joint legal custody of the child, that the Plaintiffs have primary
physical custody of the child and that the Defendants have temporary physical custody of the child in
accordance with this Court's Order.
WHEREFORE, the plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter an order providing
for the legal and physical custody of the child as aforesaid; grant the request of Plaintiffs and award
temporary physical custody of the minor child to the Grandparents, and order a hearing on the matter as
soon as judicially possible.
Respectfully submitted,,.,-"
By
Supr e Court I #60251
4 Bridge W, P.O. Box E
New Cu er nd. PA 17070
7-774-7435
Dated: ( c>J L (0-a /ttoo/eys for Plaintiffs
VERIFICATION
JOHN C. BAKER states that he is one of the Plaintiffs named in the foregoing instrument and
that he is acquainted with the facts set forth in the foregoing instrument; that the same are true and
correct to the best of his knowledge, information and belief; and that this statement is made subject to
the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. §4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
JOHN C/BAKFJR
Date: to ? 1108
J
t
ELIZABETH B. STONE, ESQ
ATTORNEY ID NO. 60251
414 BRIDGE STREET
NEW CUMBERLAND PA 17070
(717) 774-7435
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
JOHN C. and ROSE M. BAKER,
Plaintiffs,
V.
AMANDA M. AND RODNEY W
BENNAGE,
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 2008- 5$35- CIVIL TERM
IN CUSTODY
PETITION FOR EMERGENCY AND SPECIAL RELIEF
TO THE HONORABLE, THE JUDGES OF SAID COURT:
Petitioners, JOHN C. AND ROSE M. BAKER, by and through their attorneys, Stone
LaFaver & Shekletski, respectfully represents as follows:
1. The Plaintiffs are John C. and Rose M. Baker, adult individuals currently residing at
1075 Orrs Bridge Drive, Hamden Township, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
17050-2141.
2. The Defendants are Amanda M. and Rodney W. Bennage, adult individuals currently
residing for the next 2 days at 4150 Wertzville Road, Hamden Township, Enola, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17025.
3. The Plaintiffs are the maternal grandparents of the minor male child, named Zane
Colley Bennage, (born September 9, 2002, age 6 years of age).
4. The Defendants are the natural biological mother and the adoptive father of the subject
minor child.
5. The child has resided with the maternal grandparents, Plaintiffs herein, since June,
2008. The child lived with both parties in a shared custody arrangement for most of this past year, as
neither the Mother nor the Father could get the child to school on any given day.
6. The parties shared equal custody in June and July, 2008. Since August 1, 2008, the
grandparents have had Zane full-time since he began Kindergarten at St. Joseph's School for which they
pay the tuition.
7. It is averred by the Plaintiffs that all interested parties agreed with the decision that
Zane should live with his grandparents full-time based upon what was in the best interests of the minor
child.
8. It is averred by Plaintiffs that the Mother carries a diagnosis of bi-polar and major
depression and is addicted to marijuana.
9. It is averred by Plaintiffs that the Mother has been off her prescribed and necessary
medications since prior to June, 2008.
10. It is averred by Plaintiffs that the Mother was committed into the Holy Spirit
Outpatient Treatment Facility last week, but ejected out of the program for failing to attend even one day.
11. It is averred by the Plaintiffs that the Mother has failed to report to her job for the last
several weeks and instead sleeps all day after smoking marijuana all night long.
12. It is averred by the Plaintiffs that neither the Mother nor the Father are in any
condition to raise a six year old in a safe and clean environment. The apartment that the parties live in is
filled with human waste, animal waste, garbage all over the floors, broken glass, rotten food and vermin;
general filth and debris.
13. The Plaintiffs believe based upon discussions this morning that parents intend to
remove the minor child from his enrolled school on Friday, October 3, 2008, and relocate to Mifflin
County.
14. It is believed and therefore averred that if the child is permitted to leave with his
parents he will be placed in a dangerous and unhealthy environment, an environment unfit for human
health and welfare.
15. It is believed that Father has not paid any bills associated with their apartment and
most bills have remained unpaid for months; hence, it is believed they are leaving to avoid the collection
agencies.
16. The child has remained with the grandparents since August, 2008, who now desire to
obtain a Court Order so that they can attend to any medical needs with the pediatrician, follow-up visits
and emergency needs and register him for school, as well as, other extra-curricular activities that the
child may become involved in from time to time. The Plaintiffs have no intentions of keeping the minor
child from his biological parents; however, they do believe that this is in the best interests of the child to
ensure adequate care, a clean environment and a loving home while the minor child lives in their home.
17. It is believed and therefore that neither the Mother nor the Father are in any condition
to care for this child.
18. It is averred by the Plaintiffs that the Mother and the Father are being evicted from
their home for failure to pay rent over the last four months, in addition to the absolute filth in which the
parties are currently living. (See attached 26 photos taken by Plaintiffs on September 25, 2008, marked
as Exhibit #1, and made a part of the record.)
19. The Plaintiffs have not participated as a party, witness or in any other capacity in other
litigation concerning the custody of this child in this or another court.
20. The Plaintiffs have no information regarding any other custody proceeding
concerning the child pending in a court of this Commonwealth.
21. The Plaintiffs do 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.
22. The Plaintiffs believe and therefore aver that the best interests and permanent welfare
of the child require that the parties have joint legal custody of the child, that the Plaintiffs have primary
physical custody of the child and that the Defendants have temporary physical custody of the child in
accordance with this Court's Order.
WHEREFORE, the plaintiffs respectfully request that the Court enter an order granting
them shared legal and primary physical custody of the child as aforesaid; grant the request of Plaintiffs
and award temporary physical custody of the minor child to the Grandparents, and order a hearing on the
matter as soon as judicially possible.
Dated: Ol
Respectfully submitted,
By
1
E
ILIZAB TONE
Supr Tetraneet, ID #6025
414 Bri P.O. Box
New d, PA 17070
T eph-774-7435
At evs for Plaintiffs
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JOHN C. and ROSE M. BAKER, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiffs CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
AMANDA M. and RODNEY W.
BENNAGE,
Defendants NO. 08-5835 CIVIL TERM
IN RE: PETITION FOR EMERGENCY AND SPECIAL RELIEF
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 3"d day of October, 2008, upon consideration of Plaintiffs'
Petition for Emergency and Special Relief, a hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October
9, 2008, at 3:30 p.m., in Courtroom No. 1, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania.
-- Elizabeth B. Stone, Esq.
414 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Attorney for Plaintiffs
,Amanda M. Bennage
, Aodney W. Bennage _
4150 Wertzville Road
Enola, PA 17025
Defendants, pro Se
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BY THE COURT,
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JOHN C. and ROSE M. BAKER,
Plaintiffs
V.
AMANDA M. and RODNEY W.
BENNAGE,
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
08-5835 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 9th day of October, 2008, upon
consideration of Plaintiff's Petition for Emergency and Special
Relief and following a hearing, the record is declared closed and
the matter is taken under advisement.
/Elizabeth B. Stone, Esquire
414 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070-1927
F r the Plaintiffs
Amanda M. Bennage
Rodney W. Bennage
302 1/2 High Street
West Milton, PA 17886-8013
Defendants pro Se
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ELIZABETH B. STONE, ESQ
ATTORNEY ID NO. 60251
414 BRIDGE STREET
NEW CUMBERLAND PA 17070
(717) 774-7435
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
JOHN C. and ROSE M. BAKER, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiffs, : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
CIVIL ACTT N - LAW
NO. 2008--6 CIVIL TERM
AMANDA M. AND RODNEY W. BENNAGE,
Defendants : IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this ( day of 0Lj2008, upon presentation and
consideration of the within complaint, stipulation and agreement incorporated
therein, and upon agreement of the parties, it is hereby ordered and decreed as
follows:
A. The parties shall have joint legal custody of the minor male child,
Zane Colley Bennage, born September 9, 2002, age 6 years of age).
B. The Grandparents shall have primary physical custody of the
minor child.
C. Both Mother and Father shall have liberal visitation rights as
the parties agree.
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D. The Grandparents and Mother and Father agree to share
holidays and birthdays as agreed upon and as equally as possible.
E. Neither Mother nor Father shall remove the child from the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without first providing the Grandparents
with an address, phone number where the custodial party can be reached
in the event of an emergency.
F. The parties shall have reasonable telephone contact, emails, or
other contact as his age permits while Zane is in the other's custody.
G. The parties shall keep each other advised immediately relative to
any emergencies concerning Zane and shall further take any necessary steps
to insure that the health, welfare and well being of Zane is protected.
H. The parties shall do nothing that may estrange Zane from the
other parties or hinder the natural development of Zane's love or affection
for the other parties.
In the event of the breach of the agreement of the parties by
any party, the non-breaching party shall have the right to file a petition for
contempt of court and to seek specific performance of the terms of the
agreement of the parties. All costs, expenses and reasonable attorney fees
incurred by the successful party in any litigation to obtain an order of
contempt or specific performance of this agreement shall be recoverable
as part of the judgment entered by the court.
J. Any modification or waiver of any of the provisions of the
agreement of the parties shall be effective only if made in writing and only if
executed with the same formality of the agreement of the parties.
K. The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County has
jurisdiction over these issues and shall retain such jurisdiction should
circumstances change and any party desire further or require further
modification of said Order.
BY THE COURT.