HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-0630
LAW OFFICES OF DILS & DILS
DIANE M. DILS, ESQUIRE
Attorney I.D. No. 71873
1400 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Telephone No. (717) 232-9724
Attorney for Plaintiff, Karen Elizabeth Peterson
KAREN ELIZABETH PETERSON : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
c7?/- G0 (. ccnt I etn
VS. :NO.
CLIFFORD SCOTT PETERSON : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant :CUSTODY
COMPLAINT FOR SHARED LEGAL AND PRIMARY PHYSICAL
CUSTODY
AND NOW, this day of February, 2009, comes the Plaintiff, Karen
Elizabeth Peterson, by her attorney, Diane M. Dils, Esquire, and respectfully avers
the following:
1. The Plaintiff is Karen Elizabeth Peterson, an adult individual currently
residing at 433 Cherokee Drive, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17050.
2. The Defendant is Clifford Scott Peterson, an adult individual currently
residing at 1606 Matthew Road, Camp Hill, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17011.
3. The Plaintiff and Defendant were married on September 17, 2005 in
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
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4. Plaintiff and Defendant are the natural parents of one child; namely, Dylan
Scott Peterson, born October 31, 2006 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
5. The minor child has resided with the Plaintiff, Karen Elizabeth Peterson, at
the above address since Saturday, January 17, 2009; said address being the
home of Plaintiff's parents.
6. Plaintiff believes the best interest of her son will be served by granting
shared legal custody between the parties and primary physical custody of
the minor child, Dylan Scott Peterson, in the Plaintiff.
7. Plaintiff requests that Defendant be required to undergo drug testing,
specifically hair follicle testing, prior to any partial custodial rights being
established in the Defendant.
8. Prior to a successful drug test by Defendant, Plaintiff suggests supervised
visitation.
9. Plaintiff requests a Court Order permitting her to request additional drug
testing of the Defendant in the future.
10. The minor child had resided in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania since his
birth.
11. The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County has jurisdiction in this
matter.
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12. The Plaintiff has not participated as a party or witness in any capacity in
other litigation concerning the custody of the minor child in this or any
other Court.
13. The Plaintiff has no information of the custody proceedings concerning the
child pending in a Court of this Commonwealth or any other state.
14. The Plaintiff does not know of a person not a party to the proceedings who
has physical custody of the child or claims to have custody or visitation
rights with respect to the child.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff, Karen Elizabeth Peterson, respectfully prays
your Honorable Court to grant her primary physical custody of her son with shared
legal custody between the parties.
Respoeffully submitted,
Date *
Diane Nils, Es(fuire
1400 North Second Street
First Floor, Front
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 232-9724
I.D. No. 71873
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VERIFICATION
COMPLAINT FOR SHARED LEGAL
I verify that the statements made in this AND PRIMARY PHYSICAL CUSTODY
are true and correct. I understand that false statements herein are
made subject to the penalties of 18 PA. C.S. Section 4904 relating to
unsworn falsification to authorities.
KAREN ELIZABETH PETERSON
Date: a /a/ 0 1
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KAREN ELIZABETH PETERSON IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
CLIFFORD SCOTT PETERSON
DEFENDANT
2009-630 CIVIL ACTION LAW
. IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Tuesday, February 17, 2009 , 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, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 12:00 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. 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/ Dawn S. Sunda Es .
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
C S :1 W'd 9 1 933 5002
LAW OFFICES OF DILS & DILS
DIANE M. DILS, ESQUIRE
Attorney I.D. No. 71873
1400 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Telephone No. (717) 232-9724
Attorney for Plaintiff, Karen Elizabeth Peterson
KAREN ELIZABETH PETERSON : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff/Petitioner : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. : NO. 09-630 Civil Term
CLIFFORD SCOTT PETERSON : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant/Respondent :CUSTODY
PETITION FOR EMERGENCY CUSTODY
AND NOW this 25th day of February, 2009 comes the Plaintiff/Petitioner,
Karen Elizabeth Peterson, by her attorney, Diane M. Dils, Esquire, and respectfully
avers the following:
1. Your Petitioner is Karen Elizabeth Peterson, an adult individual
represented by Diane M. Dils, Esquire, whose office is located at 1400
North Second Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17102.
2. The Respondent, Clifford Scott Peterson, is the Defendant above named,
an adult individual represented by Attorney Marylou Matas, Esquire,
whose office is located at 26 West High Street, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
17013.
3. Your Petitioner and the Respondent are the natural parents of one child;
namely: Dylan Scott Peterson, born October 31, 2006 in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.
4. Your Petitioner and the Respondent were married on September 17, 2005
in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
5. On January 17, 2009, your Petitioner, Karen Elizabeth Peterson,
separated herself and the minor child from the marital residence, the
residence where the Respondent continues to reside.
6. Your Petitioner filed a Complaint for Custody in the Court of Common
Pleas of Cumberland County on February 6, 2009. A Conciliation
Conference is scheduled before Dawn S. Sunday, Esquire on Thursday,
March 12, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.
7. The Respondent, Clifford Scott Peterson, filed a Complaint for Custody
on or about February 4, 2009, Docketed to No. 2009-565, wherein a
Conciliation Conference is scheduled before Dawn S. Sunday, Esquire on
Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.
8. After your Petitioner separated herself and the minor child from the
Respondent, she permitted the Respondent to have partial custodial time
with the minor child the weekend immediately preceding the separation
date.
9. The Respondent, Clifford Scott Peterson, was permitted to have the child
from Saturday until Sunday; however, the Respondent refused to return
the child to the Petitioner until Monday, despite their'verbal agreement.
10. The Respondent informed your Petitioner that on Saturday evening after
the child went to bed, he had friends over.
11. The Respondent, Clifford Scott Peterson, smokes marijuana on a daily
basis.
12. Your Petitioner had requested the Respondent to undergo drug testing,
utilizing a hair follicle test.
13. Negotiations between counsel commenced in terms of partial custodial
periods of custody between the Respondent and the minor child pending
the Conciliation Conference on March 12, 2009.
14. Correspondence through attorneys indicated the Respondent's agreement
that he would not remove the minor child from daycare during the day,
unless it was his day to have the child.
15. Your Petitioner caused an Interim Agreement to be prepared setting forth
a custodial, period of custody between the Respondent and the minor
child commencing Saturday, February 21, 2009, until Sunday, February
22, 2009.
16. At approximately 6.00 p.m.. -on Friday, February 20, 2009, the
Respondent faxed to your Petitioner's attorney, the Interim Agreement
prepared on behalf of the Petitioner; however, the Respondent. refused to
sign the Agreement containing the provision that Father would only
remove the child from. -daycare on Tuesdays, which were proposed to be
his custodial periods and would return the minor child to daycare on
Wednesday mornings. Because the Respondent refused to sign the
Interim Agreement agreeing not to remove the child from daycare
pending the Conciliation Conference, your Petitioner did not permit the
visitation this past weekend.
17. Despite communication between attorneys that the minor child would not
be removed from daycare by Father unless it was his specific day, Father
appeared at daycare on Monday, February 23, 2009, removed the child
from daycare, sent a text message to his wife indicating that he had his
son, and indicating that he was keeping him for approximately one week.
18. The minor child has not been away from his Mother for any substantial
period of time since his birth.
19. Your Petitioner is fearful that the Respondent continues to engage in the
smoking of marijuana.
20. Your Petitioner is fearful for the safety of the minor child.
21. Your Petitioner attempted to work with the Respondent, permitting him
to enjoy time with his son after the initial separation on January 17, 2009,
but the Respondent was unable to refrain from the smoking of marijuana
during said custodial period and was unable to refrain from having his
friends over when the minor child was in his custody.
22. Your Petitioner is aware of the "partying" of the Respondent with his
friends, and this is why your Petitioner would not leave the minor child
alone with the Respondent for any substantial period of time while there
were residing together as husband and wife.
23. The Respondent did participate in a urine drug test at the office of his
attorney and Attorney Matas confirmed in writing that the drug test was
negative for marijuana. However, your Petitioner believes the
Respondent is aware of how to clean his system for the purpose of
presenting a negative drug test; however, your Petitioner does not believe
the Respondent has ceased from smoking marijuana.
24. Your Petitioner had requested a drug test utilizing hair follicles.
25. Your Petitioner, in good faith attempted to negotiate periods of custody
between the Respondent and the minor child, after verification was
received that the Respondent passed a drug test; however, all your
Petitioner requested was the Respondent's agreement that pending the
Conciliation Conference, he would not go to daycare and take the child.
26. The Respondent refused to agree to this provision and his actions have
confirmed the Petitioner's belief that the Respondent would take the child
from daycare and not permit her any contact fora substantial period of
time.
27. A copy of this Petition 'for Emergency Custody has been served the
attorney for the Respondent, Marylou Matas, Esquire.
28. Attorney Matas does not concur with this Petition.
WHEREFORE, your Petitioner, Karen Elizabeth Peterson, respectfully prays
your Honorable Court to enter an Temporary Order requiring the return of the
minor child to your Petitioner immediately with partial custodial periods of
custody in the Respondent and a provision that the Respondent may not remove the
minor child from daycare, said Temporary Order to remain in effect until the
Conciliation Conference scheduled for March 12, 2009.
submitted,
Y:
Diane M. Dils, Esquire
1400 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 232-9724
I.D. No. 71873
U1/14/ZUUU 14:44 Y''AA '!1'?LddiDDl MLLOU M „+a,w
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the Petition for Emergency
Custody are true and correct. I understand that false statements
herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 PA. C.S. Section 4904
relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date:
MA00
SlN4 bl '01 en67E4,!:'/ten
KAREN ELIZABETH PETERSON
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Diane M. Dils, Esquire, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the
within Petition for Emergency Custody has been hand delivered to the following
individual on this 25th day of February 2009, addressed as follows:
Marylou Matas, Esquire
SADIS, FLOWER & LINDSAY
26 West High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
B
1400 North Second Street
First Floor, Front
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 232-9724
I.D. No. 71873
Date: February 25, 2009
Respectfully submitted,
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KAREN ELIZABETH PETERSON,
PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
CLIFFORD SCOTT PETERSON,
DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
09-630 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this _day of February, 2009, the child in this case
being two years old, there being no custody order in place, and there being a
conciliation scheduled for March 12, 2009, the petition of plaintiff Karen Elizabeth
Peterson for emergency relief, IS DENIED WITHOUT A HEARING.
Z Diane M. Dils, Esquire
/For Plaintiff
,Marylou Matas, Esquire
For Defendant
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