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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-36511NRE: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL REED : 1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA : : ~. 3(~,~1 CIVIL ACTION LAW PETITION FOR : IN CUSTODY CHANGE OFNAME AND NOW, comes Petitioner, Mary Jane Kantz, by and through his counsel of record, Bradley L. Griffie, Esquire, and the law firm of Griffie & Associates and Petitions the Court as follows: 1. Your Petitioner is Mary Jane Kantz, an adult individual currently residing at 21 East Main Street, Plainfield, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Your Respondent is Christopher W. Reed, an adult individual currently residing at FQ8199, Box A, Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Petitioner is the natural maternal grandmother of the child, Christopher Michael Reed, bom July 3, 1999. The Respondent is the natural father of the child, Christopher Michael Reed. The natural mother of the child was Melissa Ann Conrad, who was murdered by Respondent, causing her death on or about April 14, 2003, a copy of her Death Certificate being attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit "A." Petitioner has legal custody and primary physical custody of the child pursuant to Order of Court dated June 2, 2003, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit "B." 7. A copy of the child's Birth Certificate setting forth his name as Christopher Michael Reed and naming his mother and father is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit "C." 8. The late Melissa Ann Conrad was also the natural mother of a second child, namely, Kayla Marie Conrad, born July 7, 1995, a copy of the Order of Court and Stipulation providing custody is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 9. At the time Respondent murdered the decedent, the decedent and her two children were residing with Petitioner. 10. Respondent murdered decedent at her home to the knowledge of both children. 11. The child, Christopher Michael Reed, is aware of, identifies with, and has a strong relationship with his half sister, Kayla Marie Conrad. 12. While the child, Christopher Michael Reed, consistently asks questions as to his mother's whereabouts, whether he will see her again, and other questions, he does not acknowledge or recognize his father, the Respondent herein. 13. Particularly since the murder of his mother, the child does not have a relationship or bond of any nature with Respondent. 14. Respondent's extended family has never seen the child or had any contact of any nature with the child. 15. The child does not have any estate of his own. 16. The natural father of Kayla Marie Conrad has routine contact with that child and routinely has contact with the child at issue herein, Christopher Michael Reed, such that both children are together for visits with Kayla's father. VERIFICATION I verify that the statements made in thc foregoing document are tree and correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. Section 4904, relating to unswom falsifications to authorities. 7. A copy of the child's Birth Certificate setting forth his name as Christopher Michael Reed and naming his mother and father is attached hereto mad incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit "C." 8. The late Melissa Ann Conrad was also the natural mother of a second child, namely, Kayla Marie Conrad, bom July 7, 1995, a copy of the Order of Court and Stipulation providing custody is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 9. At the time Respondent murdered the decedent, the decedent and her two children were residing with Petitioner. Respondent murdered decedent at her home to the knowledge of both children. 11, The child, Christopher Michael Reed, is aware of, identifies with, and has a strong relationship with his half sister, Kayla Marie Conrad. 12. While the child, Christopher Michael Reed, consistently asks questions as to his mother's whereabouts, whether he will see her again, and other questions, he does not acknowledge or recognize his father, the Respondent herein, 13. Particularly since the murder of his mother, the child does not have a relationship or bond of any nature with Respondent. 14, Respondent's extended family has never seen the child or had any contact of any nature with the child. 15. The child does not have any estate of his own. 16. The natural father of Kayla Made Conrad has routine contact with that child and routinely has contact with the child at issue herein, Christopher Michael Reed, such that both children are together for visits with Kayla's father. 17. 18. 19. 20. 2l. 22. 23. The parties reside in a small community where the knowledge of the murderous act of Respondent is well known and requiring the child to continue to carry the name of his father, who murdered his mother, is now and will continue to be a burden on him through his life. Respondent is believed to be the natural father of two other children who reside in the Carlisle area with whom he had no contact prior to his murderous act and whom may have been adopted by other parties. Respondent is believed to be the father of a natural child to a third woman which child has been adopted by third parties and with whom Respondent has no relationship. Respondent is believed to be the father of another child in Kentucky or another southern state with whom he had no contact prior to his incarceration for his murderous act. The child is of school age and will begin attending kindergarten in the Fall of 2004. With the child being able to have the name change requested herein, he will have the surname of his half sister and be able to always identify with her and will further allow him to avoid confusion by having a different name than everyone else in his extended family. At the time of the child's birth, the natural mother of the child, who is now deceased, wished to have the child named Ryan Michael Conrad, but was forced by Respondent to comply with his demands that the child be given the name of Christopher Michael Reed. 24. Respondent has made two contacts with the child since he murdered the child's mother, that being a request to "say goodbye" to the child and express his sorrow for his conduct, which contact occurred for a few minutes at the Cumberland County Prison in January 2004. 25. The second contact Respondent had was forwarding a birthday card to the child, which was only recently received by Petitioner. 26. It is in the best interest and permanent welfare of the child to have the child's name changed from Christopher Michael Reed to Ryan Michael Conrad. WHEREFORE, Petitioner requests your Honorable Court to enter an Order changing name o f Christopher Michael Reed to Ryan Michael Conrad. Respectfully submitted, uire GRIFFIE & ASSOCIATES 200 North Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-5551 (800) 347-5552 VERIFICATION I verify that the statements made in the foregoing document 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 unswom falsifications to authorities. 'j'his ik to cen.ify that the information here give~: is correctly copied fi'om an original certiftcate of death duly filed with me as Local Registrar. The original certificate will be.forwarded to the State Vital Records Office fol- permanent filing. WARNING: it is i~legal to duplicate this copy by photostat or photograph Fee for this certificate, $2.00 I.ocaI Registrm CERTIFICATE OF DEATH (Coroner) ~el ~ 3~ ~ ~ S~t; Pla~ld, PA ~7081 ~--~J' ~D ~ D . 18/2003 ~ H~is~ ~ ~ .H~is~9, PA 17109 ~.~. ~ 0~2633 L {~q B~s ~al ~, ~lisle, PA 17013 ~o~ EXHIBIT CHRISTOPHER W. REED, PLAINTIFF/RESPONDENT V. MELISSA A. CONRAD, DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT V. MARY JANE KANTZ, PETITIONER IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA · 03-1502 CIVIL TERM AND NOW, this ORDER OF COURT day of June, 2003, pending further order of court, Mary Jane Kantz, shall have legal custody and primary physical custody of her granSson, Christopher Michael Reed, born July 3, 1999. Edg~'r B'. Bayley,~. Bradley L. Griffie, Esquire For Petitioner Christopher William Reed, Pro se Cumberland County Prison 1101 Claremont Road Carlisle, PA 17013 :sal TRUE COPY FROM AE~,ORD In T~,mony whe.n~'d, I hers ~to ~t ~y ~ ~on~ EXHIBIT m~;~ CUMBERLAND Issu~p 10- 19'1999 NANE CHRISTOPHER FATHERS N~E CHRI STOP~R I~OTHERS MAID~'EN ~N~HE " ~IELISSA iNN CONRAD 9722458 EXHIBIT MARY JANE KANTZ, Plaintiff : COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF · CUMBERLAND COUNTY-PENNSYLVANIA : clVrLTi~RM 7k, q?' ~(; ~f ~L~ T~ MELISSA CONRAD and SCOTT RAUDABAUGH Defendant :CIVIL ACTION-CUSTODY ORDE~OF COURT AND NOW, this /5[[' day of ~ eP_t..N[~>//~ , 1998 upon presentation and consideration of the within Custody Stipulation and Agreement it is hereby ORDERED and DItLECTED that the aforementioned Stipulation and Agreement is made an Order of Court and all prior orders in this case relative to custody are hereby vacated· BY THeE COURT, cc: Bradley L. C. rdffie, Esquire Attorney for Plaintiff Melissa Conrad, pro se Scott Kaudabaugtk pro se EXHIBIT MARY JANE KANTZ, : COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF Plaintiff ' CUMBERLAND COUNTY-PENNSYLVANIA MELISSA CONRAD and SCOTT RAUDABAUGH Defendant :CIVIL ACTION-CUSTODY CUSTODY STIPULATION AND AGREEMENT TI-//S STIPULATION AND AGREEMENT entered into the day hereinafter written by and between MARY JANE KANTZ (hereinat~er referred to as "Grandmother") and MELISSA CONRAD (hereinafter referred to as "Mother"), and SCOTT RAUDABAUGH (hereinaRer referred to as "Father~'). WHEREAS, Mother and Father are the natural parents of the child Kayla Marie Conrad, bom July 7, 1995 (hereinat~er referred to as "Child"); WHEREAS, Grandmother is the natural maternal grandmother of the child; WHEREAS, Mother and Father presently live separate and apart and neither parent resides with Grandmother; and WI-IEREAS, the parties wish to enter into a comprehensive agreement establishing an arrangements relative to custody, temporary, and visitation of the child. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises and agreements as hereinafter set forth the parties stipulate and agree as follows: h Grandmother shall have primary and physical and legal custody of the child. Mother and Father shall have periods of temporary or partial physical custody with the child or periods of visitation, by mutual agreement between them, individually, and the Grandmother. It is not intended that these periods of temporary physical custody or visitation be exercised jointly but rather that mother and father shall have independent periods of tithe with~ the child. In implementation of this paragraph, it is intended that the periods of temporary and physical custody or v/sitation as described herein shall be exercised in a reasonable and liberal manner. Mother or Father, respectively, shall be responsible for transportation for the child for their periods of visitation or temporary physical custody. All parties shall keep the others advised immediately relative to any medical emergencies concerning the child and shall, further, take any necessary steps to insure that the health and well being of the child is protected during sucl~ illness or medical emergencies. All parties shall have the right to visit the child as often as he or she desires consistent with proper medical care of the child. None of the parties shall do anything which may estrange the child from the other parties, or injure the opinion of the child as to the other parties, or which may hamper the free and natural development of the child's love and affection for the other parties. The parties desire that the within stipulation and agreement made an Order of the Court in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County and further acknowledge that the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County does, in fact, have jurisdiction over the issue of custody of the child in that the child has resided for her entire life in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Court of Common Pleas shall retain jur/sdiction should circumstances change and either party desire or require modification of the Order resulting from this Agreement. Any modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement on a permanent basis shall be effective only if made in writing on ~e effects executed on the same formality as the Stipulation and Agreement. The parties agree in making this Agreement there is no fraud, concealment, overreaching, coercion, or any other unfair dealing on the part of any of the parties. The parties acknowledge they have read and understand the provisions of this agreement. Each party acknowledges that the agreement is fair and equitable and that it is not the result of any undue influence or duress. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto intending to be legally bound by the terms hereof set forth their hand and seal the day and year hereinafter mentioned. I/-/¢ MELISSA CONRAD SCOTT RAUDABAUGH ~'- ' COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND SS. On this the It/ day of , 1998, before me, the undersigned officer, personally appeared MARY JANE KANTZ, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within Agreement and acknowledged that she executed the same for the purposes therein contained. NOTARIAL SEAL WENDY M. BLIRKNG~ER, Notary Public I My Commission [~ires June 7, 1999 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal. COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: : SS. COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND On this the / "~ day of 1998, before me, the undersigned officer, personally appeared MELISSA CONRAD, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within Agreement and acknowledged that she executed the same for the purposes therein contained. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereu.~set my y/~ NOTARIAl. SEAL WENtlY M BURKHQLO[~, Nob~r~ Public i Ca/isle,Cumberland Count,/~ My Commission Expire,s June, 7,' 1, 99 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: COUNTY OF CUMI3EKLAND On this the [ V' SS. day of fi, Jo~.~.r~ , 1998, before me, the undersigned officer, personally appeared SCOTT RAUDABAUGH, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within Agreement and acknowledged that she executed the same for the purposes therein contained. rix[ WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal. NOTARIAL SEAL ~DAWN I~1. SHUOHAF~, Nota~ Public Carlisle, Cuml~erla~d Coun~ ~Y Commission Expires Nov. 28, 2002 IN RE: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL REED : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA : 04-3651 CIVIL TERM ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this '~-~day of July, 2004, a Rule is entered against respondent, Christopher W. Reed, to show cause why the name of Christopher Michael Reed should not be changed to Ryan Michael Conrad. Rule returnable not later than sixty (60) days from this date. Petitioner shall effect service of this Rule against respondent. If respondent does not file a written response in the office of the Prothonotary of Cumberland County in opposition to the Rule, it will be made absolute upon the motion of petitioner. If respondent files a response in opposition to the motion a hearing will be conducted with respondent testifying by video. u/Bradley L. Griffie, Esquire For Petitioner ~Christopher W. Reed, FQ8199 Box A Bellefonte, PA 16823 :sal 1N RE: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL REED : 1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA : NO. 04-3651 CIVIL TERM CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, Bradley L. Griffie, Esquire, hereby certify that I did, the 3rd day of August, 2004, cause a true and attested copy of the Court's Order of July 28, 2004 to be served upon Respondent by forwarding it through certified mail, restricted delivery at the following address: Christopher W. Reed FQ8199 Box A Bellefonte, PA 16823-0820 Attached hereto is a statement from the tracking services of the United States Postal Service indicating that the aforementioned certified mail was provided to the stated address on August 5, 2004 at 7:45 a.m. Attached hereto is a photocopy of the document signed for the United States Postal Service by a representative the State Correctional Institute at Bellefonte, who received the correspondence. Attached hereto is a copy of the certified mail receipt evidencing the signature of MA Darhower at the address of: FQ8199 Cumberland County Prison 1101 Claremont Road Carlisle, PA 17013 in that the intended recipient was transferred from the State Correctional Institute at Bellefonte to the Cumberland County Prison and, as such, the certified mail was forwarded from the State Correctional Institute at Bellefonte to the Cumberland County Prison. Attached hereto is facsimile correspondence received from the Cumberland County Prison indicating the receipt of the legal document from the office of Griffie & Associates by certified mail to inmate Christopher Reed on August 10, 2004. Service of the document was made upon the Respondent, Christopher W. Reed, in this fashion as of August 10, 2004. r Petitioner ~RIFFIE E~: ASSOCIATES 200 North Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717)243-5551 (800)347-5552 · USPS - Track & Confirm Page 1 of 1 ~ UNITED ST,~TES POST,~L SEla/tCE~ Track & Confirm Current Status You entered 7001 2510 0003 4476 7328 Your item was delivered at 7:54 am on August 05, 2004 in BELLEFONTE, PA 16823. Notification Options ~ Track & Confirm by email What is this? Track & Confirm Enter label number: Track & Confirm FAQs I POSTAL INSPECTORS Preserving the Trust site map contact us government services Copyright © 1999-2002 USPS. AH Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Policy http://trkcnfrml .smi.usps.com/netdata-cgi/db2www/cbd_243.d2w/output 8/12/2004 · Direct Query - Intranet - "Quick" Search Page 1 of 1 Track/Confirm - Intranet Item Inquiry - Domestic a: 7001 2510 0003 4476 7328 nation ~ Code: 16823 P Code: BELLEFONTE PA [vent Date Time Location IELIVERED 08/05/2004 07:54 BELLEFONTE PA 16823 ScannerID L081359 Enter Request Type and Item Nuilaber: Quick Search ~ Extensive Search Item Number: Inquire on multi~ole .items. Go to the Product Tracking System Home Page. http://pts.usps.gov/netdata-cgi/db2www/cbd--242 .d2w/OUTPUT 8/12/2004 Page 1 of 1 · Direct Query - Intranet This item was delivered on 08/05/2004 at 07:54. ilgnature: ~,ddress: Enter Request Type and Item Number: Quick Search ~ Extensive Search L~) Item Number: Inquire on multiple .items· Go to the Product Tracking System Hlome Pa_qe. http://pts.usps.gov/netdata-cgi/db2www/cbd-242.d2w/IMG 8/12/2004 certified Fee Return ReceiDt Fee (EndorSement Required) c~_~, ~. 1-70 IN T~: COURT OF COM~DN PLEAS OF ~AND COUNT, PKNNSYLVANIA CIVIL AC'E/ON LAW IN CI3STOOY 04-3651 CIVIL 'r~(M ~E~ CHRISTOPHER W. ~:.m,, AN ADULT IADI%q/~JAL CURR~VI'Ly RESIDING AT FQ8199, BOK A, R~r.LEF(~'TE, C~TRE C001VI~, P~A~SYLVANIA RESP0~)KWT IS THE NATURAL FATHER OF THE C~, f~P, ISTOPHER MI(~EL ~W.~, B~ JULY 03, ] 999. TO (I~RRESPOND WITH ~E C~'~D NAMED ABOVE AN~ TO SKiD CARDS ON HOLIDAYS TO START AND LET EVerYTHING OOOL DOWN. MR. l~n WOULD VERY WJ~4 LIKE TO CC~/~ESPO~D WI~ HIS C~r~rn B[ri'T KNOWS THAT MARY J. KANTZ IS ~/74tINST THIS. HIS F~P:~.~NGS ON THE ~ (~ BEING S~ AP~.aa. THIS WAY IT OP~ C0~'RT RESPEOr~lJLLY SU~, CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER Defenders: 1 Courthouse Square - Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013-3387 Taylor P. Andrews, Esquire, Chief Ellen K. Barry, Esquire, Fffst Assistant Timothy L. Clawges, Esquire, Deputy Arla M. Waller, Esquire William Braught, Esquire, Deputy Jessica B. Rhoades, Esquire Linda S. Hollinger, Esquire H. Anthony Adams, Esquire Ron Turo, Esquire (717) 240-6285 fi.om Harrisburg, 697-0371 from Shippensburg, 532-7286 Facsimile (717) 240-7792 February 18, 2004 Christopher Reed FQ 8199 P.O. Box 200 Camp Hill, PA 17001-200 Dear Chris: Mary J. Kantz In your recent letter to me you asked that I use my discretion in deciding whether to send on to Mrs. Kantz the letter that you enclosed. My discretion tells me that it is not appropriate at this time. This whole matter isjust still too fresh for you to be contacting Mrs. Kantz and inquiring if she wanted to visit you and possibly bring Critter to see you. I realize this was not explicitly in your letter to her, but it was part of what you wanted in return. I suggest that you wait until you are classified to a particular location. Then direct your communications to Critter and send them on appropriate days, like birthday, Christmas, [;,aster, etc. Since Critter is too young to read at this point you will have to mail things to him through Mrs. Kantz. Though most of your message should be for Critter, you can indicate your willingness to correspond and answer M ' rs. Kantz questions if she should have any. it Should then be up to her as to what communication does or does not take place. Any other way would risk your assaulting her sensibilities further. Meanwhile, you must prepare yourself for the possibility that she may never be ready for such communication. That, though, should be left to her. I hope you get classified to a location that works well for you. Continue to devote yourself to whatever programs are offered as well as your bible study. Look for opportunities to help others with the lessons that you have learned. You will see that your life can still have value. Take care and God bless. TPA IN RE: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL REED : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA : 04-3651 CIVIL TERM ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this-"z-'~day of September, 2004, Christopher W. Reed having filed a response to the Rule to show cause why the name of Christopher Michael Reed should not be changed, IT I$ ORDERED that a hearing shall be conducted in Courtroom No. 5, at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 24, 2004. Pursuant to the order of July 28, 2004, the court administrator shall arrange for the testimony of Christopher W. Reed to be taken by video from his place of incarceration, which is currently SCI Rockview. ,,.Bradley L. Griffie, Esquire For Petitioner -/~hristopher W. Reed, FQ8199 SCI Rockview Box A Bellefonte, PA 16823 Court Administrator Edgar B. Bayley, J. ~. :sal FILEO-OFP, CE OF THE PROT 2OS~SEP 2'~ PR 2: OZ CUMBERb'~;-~6 COU~Y PENNSYLVANIA IN RE: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL REED : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA : 04-3651 CIVIL. TERM AMENDED ORDER OF COURT. AND NOW, thi~_~aY of September, 2004, this court's order of September 27, 2004, scheduling a hearing for 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, November 24, 2004, is amended to reflect that the hearing shall commence at 10:00 a.m. rather than 11:00 a.m. All other provisions of the order shall remain in full force and effect. ~,,~radley L. Griffie, Esquire For Petitioner ~,Christopher W. Reed, FQ8199 SCI Rockview Box A Bellefonte, PA 16823 Court Administrator By the Court, Edgar ~. :sal IN RE: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL REED IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 04-3651 CIVIL TERM IN RE: PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this "'~ay of November, 2004, the name of Christopher Michael Reed, born July 3, 1999, is changed to RYAN MICHAEL CONRAD. ./Bradley L. Griffie, Esquire For Petitioner By the Court ,,/~hristopher W. Reed, FQ 8199, Pro se SCI Rockview Box A Bellefonte, PA 16823 :sal I1-$0 -0/ IN RE: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF REED CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 04-3651 CIVIL TERM IN RE: PETITION FOR CHANGE', OF NAME OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT E~ayley, J,, November 30, 2004:-- Petitioner, Mary Jane Kantz, is the maternal grandmother of Christopher Michael Reed, age 5, born July 3, 1999. She petitioned to change Christopher's name to Ryan Michael Conrad. The child's father is Christopher W. Reed. His mother was Melissa Ann Conrad. The parents did not marry. On April 14, 2003, the father murdered Christopher's mother. He is now incarcerated at SCI Rockview on a sentence of life imprisonment. On June, 2, 2003, this court entered an order granting Mary Jane Kantz legal and primary physical custody of Christopher. There is no custody order in favor of the father. The father last saw Christopher on January 14, 2004, for one visit while incarcerated in the Cumberland County Prison. Mary Kantz lives with her husband Matthew, Christopher and his sister Kayla Conrad, in Plainfield, Cumberland County. Kayla, age 9, born July 3, 1995, is the daughter of Melissa Conrad and Scott Ra~,dabaugh. Kayla sees her father for periods of temporary physical custody on a regular basis. By agreement with Mary Kantz, Scott Raudabaugh also has Christopher for these periods. Christopher lived with his father and mother until she separated and moved to her parents' home in Plainfield in March, 2003. The father came to that home on April 14, 2003, when the mother, Mary Kantz, Christopher and Kayla were there, and stabbed the mother to death. 04-3651 Civil Term Christopher is in kindergarten and Kayla is in fourth grade at the Plainfield Elementary School. They both know that Christopher WI. Reed killed their mother, The father's family has never had any relationship with their grandson. The father does not object to changing Christopher's last name to Conrad if he can send him cards and letters. Ryan. He does object to changing the first name to This court may change the name of any person resident in Cumberland County. 54 Pa.C.S. Section 702(a). In a plurality opinion of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in In re: Zachary Thomas Andrew Grimes, 530 Pa. 388 (1992), the Court stated that when considering a petition to change the name of a minor child, "[I]n accordance with the majority of jurisdictions in the United States we declare the best interest of the child to be the appropriate focus in such cases." Absent legislative criteria, courts reviewing petitions for a change of name may exercise their discretion "in such a way as to comport with good sense, common decency and fairness to all concerned and to the public." Petition of Falcucci, 355 Pa. 588 (1947). In In re: Zachary, the Court stated: [p]etitioner in such instance must bear the burden of establishing that a change would be in the best interest of said child. Specific guidelines are difficult to establish, for the circumstances in each case will be unique, as each child has individual physical, intellectual, moral, social and spiritual needs. See generally In re: Davis, 502 Pa. 110,465 A.2d 614 (1983). However, general considerations should include the natural bonds between parent and child, the social stigma or respect afforded a particular name within the community, and, and where the child is of sufficient age, whether the child intellectually and rationally understands the significance of changing his or her name. (Footnote omitted.) -2- 04-3651 Civil Term DISCUSSION O God! Horatio, what a wounded name... And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, To tell my story.~ If possible this child should never have to undergo the pain of telling the story of his father's intentional and malice killing of his mother. Nor should he have to hear about it from others in his community or elsewhere. His name, however, inextricably links this little boy to that horror. F)lainfield is a tiny place. The social stigma of having his father's disgraced name is reason enough to change it. While doing so will not compensate for such pain he might suffer in the future, it will help remove a social stigma as he grows up in the home of his maternal grandparents. Conrad was the name of his mother and is the name of his sister. Good sense and the best social and overall interest of the child warrants the change of his name as requested to Ryan Michael Conrad.2 ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this '~O't'-day of November, 2004, the name of Christopher Michael Reed, born July 3, 1999, is changed to RYAN MICHAEL CONJ;~D. By the. C~urt, ~ . ,~ /.'7,:,/ Edgar lB. Bayley, J.~ / ~ Shakespeare, Hamlet. 2 This opinion should not be considered as a reflection or approval of this court that Christopher W. Reed should try to communicate in any way with his son. -3- 04-3651 Civil Term Bradley L. Griffie, Esquire For Petitioner Christopher W. Reed, FQ 8199, Pm se SCI Rockview Box A Bellefonte, PA 16823 :sal -4-