HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-2411Diane S. Baker, Esquire
I.E. No. 53200
27 South Arlene Street
P.O. Box 6443
1-larrisburg, PA 17112-0443
(717) 671-9600
ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
Plaintiff
V3.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. oc? - xL/ C?1U'l
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
AND NOW, comes Plaintiff, Elizabeth L. Smith, by and through her attorney, Diane
S. Baker, Esquire, and files this Complaint, based upon the following:
Plaintiff, Elizabeth L. Smith, is an adult individual residing at 1660 E. Caracas
Avenue, Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17033.
2. Defendant, Daniel J. Smith is an adult individual residing at 307 E. Main
Street, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17055.
3. Plaintiff seeks primary custody of Asher Kylor Smith, born December 24,
1998, and Lydia Kieran Lally Smith, born April 1, 2003. Plaintiff is the natural mother of the
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children and Defendant is the natural father of the children. The children were born in
wedlock. The children are currently in the custody of Defendant.
4. Since birth, the children have resided with the following persons and at the
following addresses:
Plaintiff and Defendant
28 S. Market Street
Mechanicsburg, PA
8/18/2000 to 8/31/2002
Plaintiff and Defendant
Plaintiff, Dennis and
Leona Englin
Defendant
Defendant
Plaintiff
307 E. Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA
309 E. Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA
307 E. Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA
307 E. Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA
1660 E. Caracas Avenue
Hershey, PA
9/1/2002 to 10/15/2005
10/16/2005 to 11/26/2005
(shared physical custody)
10/16/2005 to 11/26/2005
(shared physical custody)
11/27/2005 to 4/20/06
4/21/06 to present
5. Plaintiff has not participated as a party or a witness, or in another capacity, in
other litigation concerning the custody of the child in this or another court.
Plaintiff has no information of a custody proceeding concerning the children pending
in a court of this Commonwealth.
Plaintiff does not know of a person not party to the proceedings who has physical
custody of the children or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the
children.
3
6. Each parent whose parental rights to the children that have not been terminated
and the person who has physical custody of the children have been named as parties to this
action.
7. The best interest and permanent welfare of the children will be served by
granting the relief because Plaintiff can provide a safe home and a stable and loving
environment for the children.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests Your Honorable Court to grant her shared legal and
primary physical custody of the minor children, Asher Kylor Smith and Lydia Kieran Lally
Smith with Defendant having periods of partial physical custody as agreed upon by the parties.
DATE:
q J2' c (,
Supreme Court ID #53200
27 South Arlene Street
Post Office Box 6443
Harrisburg, PA 17112-0443
(717) 671-9600
4
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. Section 4904
relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
ELIZARh TH L. SMITH
5
4
01
ELIZABETH L. SMITH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH
DEFENDANT
06-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Monday, May 08, 2006 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Melissa P. Greevy, Esq. , the conciliator,
at MDJ Manlove, 1901 State St., Camp Hill, PA 17011 on Thursday, June 08, 2006 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/ Melissa P. Gree Es q.
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
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ELIZABETH SMITH,
Plaintiff
V.
DANIEL SMITH,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Cv,Hber(a.?(
:NO: 2006-2411
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE
I, Kara W. Haggerty, Esquire, counsel for the Defendant in the above-captioned
matter, upon authorization of the Defendant, accept service of the Custody Complaint.
D 51 I'D 1,01P
Date
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Kara W. Haggerty, E t?4wt
Abom & Kutulakis,
36 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
INTERIM ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this ? ? day of June, 2006, upon consideration of the attached
Custody Conciliation Summary Report, it is hereby ordered and directed as follows:
1. The parties, Elizabeth L. Smith and Daniel J. Smith shall have shared legal
custody of the minor children, Asher Kylor Smith, born December 24, 1998, and Lydia Keran
Lally Smith, born April 1, 2003. Each parent shall have an equal right, to be exercised
jointly with the other parent, to make all major non-emergency decisions affecting the
children's general well-being including, but not limited to, all decisions regarding their health,
education and religion. Pursuant to the terms of 23 Pa. C. S. §5309, each parent shall be
entitled to all records and information pertaining to the children including, but not limited to,
medical, dental, religious or school records, the residence address of the children and of the
other parent. To the extent one parent has possession of any such records or information,
that parent shall be required to share the same, or copies thereof, with the other parent
within such reasonable time as to make the records and information of reasonable use to
the other parent.
2. Mother shall have temporary primary physical custody subject to Father's
rights of partial custody which shall be arranged as follows:
A. Each week from Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. until Friday at 1:30 p.m. This
portion of the schedule is premised on the notion that Father will be able to
obtain a consistent schedule with his employer that permits him to be off work
on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. However, in the event that
Father cannot have Thursdays off each week but could have Tuesdays off in
addition to his standard Wednesday as a day off, this portion of Father's
custodial schedule would commence Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. and continue until
Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
B. Each Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
C. In the event that Father would like to exercise partial custody during
Mother's work hours on Mondays or Tuesdays, Father may pick up the
I
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
children at the babysitter's in Hershey and return them to the sifter and/or
daycare before he goes to work.
D. And at such other times as the parties agree.
3. Father shall provide transportation at the beginning of the custodial exchanges
by picking up the children as follows: On Sundays at Mother's residence, and on weekdays
by meeting Mother at work. Mother will participate in transportation incident to custodial
exchanges by picking up the children on Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons.
4. Vacation 2006. Upon two (2) weeks notice to Mother, Father may have one
(1) custodial block of up to seven (7) consecutive days. Upon two (2) weeks notice to
Father, Mother may have up to three (3) weekends which would require that Father
relinquish his Sunday custodial time to Mother. These weekends shall be used by Labor
Day, 2006.
5. The parties shall participate in a mini-custody evaluation with Deb Salem of
Interworks. The costs of the evaluations shall be shared equally by the parties. Each party
retains the right to petition the Court for a reallocation of the costs of the evaluation. It is
contemplated that the evaluation will involve chemical dependency evaluation as well.
6. If counsel for either party makes a fax request to the Custody Conciliator within
ten (10) days of the receipt of the report from Ms. Salem's office, a Conciliation Conference
will be rescheduled without the necessity of an additional pleading or filing fee.
7. This Order is entered as an Interim Order without prejudice to either party to
argue their positions on the status quo custodial arrangement or who had been the primary
caregiver to the children, at the time of trial.
BY THE COURT:
J.
Dist: W/6iane S. Baker, Esquire, 27 S. Arlene Street, Harrisburg, PA 17112
,,Kara W. Haggerty, Esquire, Abom & Kutulakis LLP, 36 S. Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
yCeb Salem, Interworks, 4335 N. Front 6t., Harrisburg, PA 17110
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
Plaintiff
V.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant
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 THE CUSTODY OF
Asher Kylor Smith December 24, 1998 Mother
Lydia Keran Lally Smith April 1, 2003 Mother
2. A Custody Conciliation Conference was held on Friday, June 7, 2006 in
response to Mother's April 28, 2006 filing of a Complaint for Custody. Father also filed a
Complaint for Custody docketed to 06-2422. The matters will be consolidated under Docket
No. 06-2411. However, Father's Pleading will be treated as a counter-claim in Mother's
original Complaint. Present for the conference were: the Father, Daniel J. Smith, and his
counsel, Kara Haggerty, Esquire; the Mother, Elizabeth L. Smith, and her counsel, Diane S.
Baker, Esquire.
3. The parties were not able to reach an agreement for an interim or temporary
order. The Conciliator provides the attached recommended Order as an Interim Order.
4. Mother's position on custody is as follows: The parties separated on or about
November 26, 2005. At that time, the children apparently remained with Father. However,
in late April, 2006, Mother reports that she found drugs in Father's residence during a time
that she was visiting the children while he worked. During this time, the parties had an
unwritten, informal custody arrangement. However, after Mother allegedly found the drugs,
she refused to return the children to Father. Mother acknowledges that they both used
drugs in the past but claims that she quit "a long time ago." Mother also reports that the
oldest child, who is seven years old, had told her that there were times when he could not
wake Father up in the morning. Mother interpreted this information to mean that Father was
abusing drugs. Mother now resides in her Mother's home in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She
works 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. as a medical claims biller at ASI off of Progress Avenue, in
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
Harrisburg. Mother reports that she has some flexibility in her work schedule as to arrival
time or the ability to work through her lunch hours to shorten her work day.
Mother believes the children should be in her primary custody. She has arranged for
the younger child to attend Magic Years and has a baby sifting plan for the older child to be
cared for by either her aunt or uncle this summer. Mother believes that, for purpose of
socialization and social skills, it is important for Lydia to participate in some type of
organized day care program.
5. Father's Position on custody is as follows: Father wants primary custody of
the children. He reports that he has been the children's primary care giver throughout their
lives by virtue of his having worked the second shift. He is employed as the head cook at
Outback Steak House. When Father had the children in his custody, his mother babysat the
children during his work hours, which are approximately 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Father
expressed concern that the maternal grandmother is abusive to the children. Specifically,
he alleges that on one occasion she hit Asher on the head with a book. Father is also
concerned because Mother withdrew the oldest child from school without his consent and
without making previous arrangements with the school district. He expressed concern that
there is inadequate sleep space at Mother's home, that it is overcrowded, and that some of
the adults that live there smoke. Father also complained because Mother had not
designated him as the emergency contact at the school or day care center for the children.
However, this has apparently now been resolved. While Father acknowledges that they
have each used drugs in the past, together, he denies that he is currently using drugs. He
claims that he has been more involved with the care of the children than has Mother and
that after she moved to Hershey, she was not very involved with the children at all.
Father suggests that he have primary custody of the children and allow Mother to
have custody of the children every weekend. Were that the arrangement, he proposes that
during his work hours his mother would continue to be the children's babysitter. While at
times Father has agreed that it is important for Lydia to participate in a day care program, he
prefers that plan be arranged in the community in which he resides. He believes the
children should be with him during Mother's work hours and until such time as he goes to
work. Father resides in Mechanicsburg, and leaves for work around 1:30 p.m. each day.
6. In addition to the parties' dispute regarding which of them should be primary
caregiver, the parties did not agree on the interim summer schedule.
Father wants Mother to bring the children to meet him at her office on Mondays and
Tuesdays when he does not work, and to have the children stay with him, or his mother
when he leaves for work, until Mother could pick them up after work.
Mother objects to Father's proposal because of the amount of time the children would
spend in the car riding between the parties' homes. She also wants the younger child to
have some social interaction with age group peers in a daycare setting.
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
7. Through counsel, the parties agree to participate in a mini-evaluation with Deb
Salem of Interworks. The cost of this evaluation would be shared equally by the parties.
Each party would have the right to petition for reallocation of the costs of custody evaluation
at the time of trial. When Ms. Salem's report is available, a facsimile from counsel received
within ten days of the receipt of the report will be adequate to reschedule this matter for
custody conciliation prior to send the parties to trial. The recommended order provided as
an attachment hereto is without prejudice to either p t argue their positions with regard
to the stat s quo or who has historically been the chi ren's nmary c regiver.
/ M6 Melissa Peel Greevy, E quire
Custody Conciliator
:277090
Elizabeth L. Smith, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff OF CUMBERLAND
vs. OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant NO. 06-2411
PETITION TO MODIFY CUSTODY
And now comes Elizabeth L. Shunk, formerly known as Elizabeth
L. Smith, and petitions the Court to modify custody and in support
of this petition avers as follows:
1. Plaintiff is Elizabeth L. Shunk, formerly known as Elizabeth
L. Smith.
2. Defendant is Daniel J. Smith.
3. Plaintiff herein filed a custody complaint to the above
docket number.
4. Subsequently Defendant filed his own custody action to docket
number 06-2422.
5. A custody conference was held June 8, 2006 and a summary
report was dated June 14, 2006. (See Exhibit "A" attached).
6. In accordance with the Agreement of the parties reached at
the custody conference, a "mini evaluation" with Deb Salem of
InterWorks was performed.
7. The parties attempted to negotiate a resolution of custody
after receiving the report.
8. The custody conciliator directed that within 10 days of
receipt of the report, the parties could reschedule this
matter at conciliation prior to sending this matter trial.
9. Neither party contacted the conciliator, and continued to
negotiate this matter beyond the 10 day period referenced in
the custody conciliation summary report.
10. Defendant's counsel prepared a custody agreement which
Defendant signed, but which Plaintiff refused to agree to
because it was not in the children's best interest.
11. The parties did not reach an agreement in regard to the
resolution of the custody matter for which they were in front
of the conciliator.
12. On April 20, 2007, at the custody exchange, Plaintiff
notified Defendant that she was to be married to her then
fiancee, now husband, Gary Shunk, on July 7, 2007.
13. On April 20, 2007, at the custody exchange, Defendant picked
up the children from Plaintiff's residence.
14. Several hours after the children were in Defendant's custody,
and several hours after they had been at the playground with
Defendant, and after they had returned to Defendant's home,
he and his then girlfriend, now wife, took Lydia, one of the
minor children of the parties, to the emergency room alleging
that there was abuse of the child while in Plaintiff's care.
115. Defendant never notified Plaintiff of the visit to the
emergency room.
16. Plaintiff was not informed of Lydia's trip to the emergency
room until April 25, 2007, five (5) days later, by Virginia
Koser, the caseworker at Cumberland County Children & Youth
Services, who was notifying Plaintiff of their involvement in
an investigation for abuse.
17. Children & Youth, the police and Rape Crisis were all
contacted while Lydia was in the emergency room on April 20,
2007.
18. Plaintiff herein met with Children and Youth, and agreed to
Children & Youth's suggestion that while the investigation
was ongoing she should have no contact with the minor
children.
19. Plaintiff was assured a swift return of the children by the
on-call Children & Youth case worker at the conclusion of the
investigation if no evidence was found.
20. Plaintiff, without the advice of counsel and assuming an
investigation would be just a day or two, agreed to the no
contact provision.
21.
22.
'i
Plaintiff was, however, permitted to write to the children.
Since then, Children and Youth has only permitted Plaintiff
herein supervised contact on a very limited basis and
subsequently filed a petition to determine the dependency of
both minor children.
23. Plaintiff has not seen the children since Thursday, September
27, 2007 due to Defendant refusing to allow them even
supervised visits with Plaintiff.
24. On October 10, 2007, Defendant renewed allegations of child
abuse against Plaintiff.
25. The hearing on dependency was never held until February 21,
2008, at which hearing Defendant made an oral motion to
dismiss the case.
26. At some point since April 20, 2007, Jacqueline Verney,
Esquire, has been appointed Guardian Ad Litem for the
children.
27. A special Master appointed to hear the dependency petition
granted the Motion, pending criminal investigation.
28. The police have been "investigating" for eleven (11) months.
29. Plaintiff herein believes there is no medical evidence to
substantiate allegations of abuse.
30. Plaintiff herein believes that Defendant has utilized the
system to his advantage to do an end run around a custody
conciliation conference to obtain primary physical custody of
the parties' children.
31. Since Children & Youth's intervention with the parties,
Defendant and his wife have gone out of their way to
completely alienate Plaintiff and her entire family from the
lives of the parties' children.
32. Defendant and his wife have attempted to alienate Plaintiff
and her family, the maternal grandparents to the extent that
Defendant has threatened harassment charges for sending
birthday/holiday cards to the children at Defendant's home.
33. Defendant stated under oath at the February 21, 2008 hearing
with Children & Youth, that he, his wife and the children
have since moved from the residence at which they lived at
the onset of Children and Youth's investigation, however,
Plaintiff has not been notified of her children's
whereabouts.
34. Defendant has a history of drug abuse and has been known to
sell drugs and Plaintiff believes Defendant continues to use
illegal drugs.
35. Plaintiff herein believes that maternal grandmother and
grandfather will be filing for custodial rights or custody if
they have not already done so.
36. Plaintiff believes that it is not in the best interest of the
children to be in the custody of Defendant because of his
false, unfounded accusations against Plaintiff and her new
husband, his refusal to allow even supervised visitations
through Children & Youth, and his efforts to conceal his and
the parties' children's residence.
37. Plaintiff has carried the primary health insurance on the
children since 1999, and because Defendant refuses to provide
address information, Plaintiff is unable to forward vital
medical insurance information for the children to Defendant.
38. Defendant also has changed all of the children's medical and
psychological health care providers and refuses to disclose
that information to Plaintiff as well, which is in direct
violation of the existing Order of June 27, 2006 granting
shared legal custody to both parties. (See Exhibit "B"
attached.)
39. Plaintiff believes that Defendant has begun carrying his own
health insurance on the children with the sole intent of
discontinuing use of Plaintiff's insurance coverage, thereby
eliminating any chances that Plaintiff may learn of the
children's medical and psychological health providers through
her insurance company's Explanation of Benefits statements.
40. Plaintiff has received no Explanation of Benefits statements
from her health insurance provider since November 2007,
although Defendant testified on February 21, 2008, that the
children have been to various new doctors, specialists, and
i
mental health providers recently.
41. Plaintiff herein requests that a custody conference be
expedited so that she may assert her physical and legal
custodial rights promptly in an effort to renew a normal
relationship with the children.
Wherefore, Plaintiff respectfully requested Plaintiff be
awarded primary physical custody and Defendant be awarded
supervised custodial periods.
Respectfully Submitted:
DISSINGER AND DISSINGER
BY :
Mary A.' Etter Dissinger/`
Attorney for Plaintiff
Supreme Court I.D. #27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840
(717) 975-3924 - fax
VERIFICATION
I, Elizabeth L. Shunk, verify that the statements made in the
Petition to Modify Custody 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.
P24
Eliz Beth L. S?iun'-I?
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
V.
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH,
IN CUSTODY
Defendant
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 THE CUSTODY OF
Asher Kylor Smith December 24, 1998 Mother
Lydia Keran Lally Smith April 1, 2003 Mother
2. A Custody Conciliation Conference was held on Friday, June 7, 2006 in
response to Mother's April 28, 2006 filing of a Complaint for Custody. Father also filed a
Complaint for Custody docketed to 06-2422. The matters will be consolidated under Docket
No. 06-2411. However, Father's Pleading will be treated as a counter-claim in Mother's
original Complaint. Present for the conference were: the Father, Daniel J. Smith, and his
counsel, Kara Haggerty, Esquire; the Mother, Elizabeth L. Smith, and her counsel, Diane S.
Baker, Esquire.
3. The parties were not able to reach an agreement for an interim or temporary
order. The Conciliator provides the attached recommended Order as an Interim Order.
4. Mother's position on custody is as follows: The parties separated on or about
November 26, 2005. At that time, the children apparently ,re r. However,
in late-April, 2006, Mother reports that ` - during a time
ttrat-she wasvisfting-theM-children,while h& worke' -During this time, the parties had an
unwritten, informal custody arrangement. However, after Mother allegedly found the drugs,
she refused to return- the children to Father. Mother acknowledges that they both used
drugs in the past but claims that she quit "a long time ago." Mother also reports that the
oldest child, who is seven years old, had told her that there were times when he could not
wake Father up in the morning. Mother interpreted this information to mean that Father was
abusing drugs. Mother now resides in her Mother's home in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She
works 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. as a medical claims biller at ASI off of Progress Avenue, in
EXHIBIT
"A??
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
Harrisburg. Mother reports that she has some flexibility in her work schedule as to arrival
time or the ability to work through her lunch hours to shorten her work day.
Mother believes the children should be in her primary custody. She has arranged for
the younger child to attend Magic Years and has a baby sitting plan for the older child to be
cared for by either her aunt or uncle this summer. Mother believes that, for purpose of
socialization and social skills, it is important for Lydia to participate in some type of
organized day care program.
5. Father's yosition on custody is as follows: Father wants primary custody of
the children. He reports that he has been the children's primary care giver throughout their
litres by virtue of his having worked the second shift! He is employed as the head cook at
Outback Steak Houle. When Father had the children in his custody, his mother babysat the
children during his work hours, which are approximately 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Father
expressed concern that the maternal grandmother is abusive to the children. Specifically,
he alleges that on one occasion she hit Asher on the head with a book. Father is also
concerned because Mother withdrew tbe-aldest.child from school without his consent and
without making previous arrangements with the school district. He expressed concern that
there is inadequate sleep space at Mother's home, that it is overcrowded, and that some of
the adults that live there smoke. Father also complained because Mother had not
designated him as the emergency contact at the school or day care center for the children.
However, this has apparently now been resolved. While Father acknowledges that they
have each used drugs in the past, together, he denies that he is currently using drugs. He
claims that he has been more involved with the care of the children than has Mother and
that after she moved to Hershey, she was not very involved with the children at all.
Father suggests that he have primary custody of the children and allow Mother to
have custody of the children every weekend. Were that the arrangement, he proposes that
during his work hours his mother would continue to be the children's babysitter. While at
times Father has agreed that it is important for Lydia to participate in a day care program, he
prefers that plan be arranged in the community in which he resides. He believes the
children should be with him during Mother's work hours and until such time as he goes to
work. Fafhdr resides in Mechanicsburg, and leaves for work around 1:30 p.m. each day.
6. In addition to the parties' dispute regarding which of them should be primary
caregiver, the parties did not agree on the interim summer schedule.
Father wants Mather to bring the children to meet him at her office on Mondays and
Tuesdays when he does not work, and to have the children stay with him, or his mother
when he leaves for work, until Mother could pick them up after work.
Mother objects to Father's proposal because of the amount of time the children would
spend in the car riding between the parties' homes. She also wants the younger child to
have some social interaction with age group peers in a daycare setting.
-' L w
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
7. Through counsel, the parties agree to participate in a mini-evaluation with Deb
Salem of Interworks. The cost of this evaluation would be shared equally by the parties.
Each party would have the right to petition for reallocation of the costs of custody evaluation
at the time of trial. When Ms. Salem's report is available, a facsimile from counsel received
within ten days of the receipt of the report will be adequate to reschedule this matter for
custody concililation priorto send the parties to trial. The recommended order provided as
an attachment hereto is without prejudice to either pa to argue their positions with regard
to the stat s quo or who has historically been the chi ren'7Za nW)Lf 10 ? ? Al
to Melissa Peel Greevy, 7quire
Custody Conciliator
:277090
i
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNT Y, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAIN
IN CUSTODY
INTERIM ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this M-1h day of June, 2006, upon consideration of the attached
Custody Conciliation Summary Report, it is hereby ordered and directed as follows:
1. The parties, Elizabeth L. Smith and Daniel J. Smith shall have shared legal
custody of the minor children, Asher Kylor Smith, born December 24. 1998, and Lydia Keran
Lally Smith, born April 1, 2003. Each parent shall have an equal right, to be exercised
jointly with the other parent, to make all major non-emergency decisions affecting the
children's general well-being including, but not limited to, all decisions regarding their health,
education and religion. Pursuant to the terms of 23 Pa. C. S. §5309, each parent shall be
entitled to all records and information pertaining to the children including, but not limited to,
medical, dental, religious or school records, the residence address of the children and of the
other parent. To the extent one parent has possession of any such records or information,
that parent shall be required to share the same, or copies thereof, with the other parent
within such reasonable time as to make the records and information of reasonable use to
the other parent.
2. Mother shall have temporary primary physical custody subject to Father's
rights of partial custody which shall be arranged as follows:
A. Each week from Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. until Friday at 1:30 p.m. This
portion of the schedule is premised on the notion that Father will be able to
obtain a consistent schedule with his employer that permits him to be off work
on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. However, in the event that
Father cannot have Thursdays off each week but could have Tuesdays off in
addition to his standard Wednesday as a day off, this portion of Father's
custodial schedule would commence Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. and continue until
Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
B. Each Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
C. In the event that Father would like to exercise partial custody during
Mother's work hours on Mondays or Tuesdays, Father may pick up the
E
E XHIBIT
y
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL TERM
children at the babysitter's in Hershey and return them to the sitter and/or
daycare before he goes to work.
D. And at such other times as the parties agree.
3. Father shall provide transportation at the beginning of the custodial exchanges
by picking up the children as follows: On Sundays at Mother's residence, and on weekdays
by meeting Mother at work. Mother will participate in transportation incident to custodial
exchanges by picking up the children on Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons.
4. Vacation 2006. Upon two (2) weeks notice to Mother, Father may have one
(1) custodial block of up to seven (7) consecutive days. Upon two (2) weeks notice to
Father, Mother may have up to three (3) weekends which would require that Father
relinquish his Sunday custodial time to Mother. These weekends shall be used by Labor
Day, 2006.
5. The parties shall participate in a mini-custody evaluation with Deb Salem of
Interworks. The costs of the evaluations shall be shared equally by the parties. Each party
retains the right to petition the Court for a reallocation of the costs of the evaluation. It is
contemplated that the evaluation will involve chemical dependency evaluation as well.
6. If counsel for either party makes a fax request to the Custody Conciliator within
ten (10) days of the receipt of the report from Ms. Salem's office, a Conciliation Conference
will be rescheduled without the necessity of an additional pleading or filing fee.
7. This Order is entered as an Interim Order without prejudice to either party to
argue their positions on the status quo custodial arrangement or who had been the primary
caregiver to the children, at the time of trial.
BY THE COURT:
OV A f ?1 -
J.
Dist: Diane S. Baker, Esquire, 27 S. Arlene Street, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Kara W. Haggerty, Esquire, Abom & Kutulakis LLP, 36 S. Hanover Street. Carlisle. PA 17013
Deb Salem, Interworks, 4335 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110
TRUE COPT FROM RECORD
In - •:t:mony whereof, I! here unto set my hand
an a seal of sal Counrt aCarlisle, Pa.
T ....., da o, O
rothonota?y
Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below I served a true and correct copy of the Petition
to Modify Custody upon the attorney for Defendant, by First Class
United States mail addressed as follows:
Kara Haggerty, Esq.
8 S. Hanover Street
Suite 204
Carlisle, PA 17013
Date:
?,OC?w,
'Mary A. , Etter Dissinger
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r- N o m
_? 110
ELIZABETH L. SMITH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH
DEFENDANT
06-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Friday, March 07, 2008 , 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 Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 9:00 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. 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 q.
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
Q4 ?N, "I 1-1,f,4110
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MAR 8 B 2008
ELIZABETH L. SMITH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS.
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendant 06-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
MARGO E. LALLY
Plaintiff
VS.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this day of 2008, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. A hearing on the Mother's Petition for Modification shall be scheduled at the request
of the Mother and her counsel after discovery has been completed. For purposes of the hearing, the
Mother shall be deemed to be the moving party and shall proceed initially with the testimony. Counsel
for the parties shall file with the Court and opposing counsel a memorandum setting forth each party's
position on custody, a list of witnesses who are expected to testify at the hearing, and a summary of the
anticipated testimony of each witness. These memoranda shall be filed at least 10 days prior to the
hearing date.
2. Pending the hearing and further Order of Court or agreement of the parties, the prior Order
of this Court dated February 26, 2008 adopting the Master's recommendations shall continue in effect.
3. If necessary to obtain information/documentation from Children and Youth Services
regarding the investigation and findings in this matter, the parties shall cooperate in providing any
requested authorizations to obtain lawful discovery.
4. The parties shall make arrangements for the Children to participate in counseling with
Bonnie Howard or Melinda Eash for the purpose of assessing the Children's readiness and well-being
in reestablishing contact between the Children and the maternal Grandmother. In the event the
counselor determines that the Children are ready, the reunification process shall take place initially
within the counseling process or as otherwise recommended by the counselor. The parties shall follow
the recommendations of the counselor with regard to participation in counseling, either individually or
with the Children by the maternal Grandmother or the Father. The parties shall follow the
recommendations of the counselor with regard to the timing of reunification and shall sign any
authorizations deemed necessary by the counselor in order to obtain additional information pertaining
to the parties or the Children. The maternal Grandmother and the Father shall cooperate in selecting
the counselor and in contacting the counselor's office within ten (10) days of the date of the custody
conciliation conference to schedule the initial appointment. The parties shall cooperate in coordinating
insurance coverage for the costs of the reunification counseling.
BY THE COURT,
1?\k A, ?AA
M. L. Ebert, Jr. ki.
cc: Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire - Counsel for Mother
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire - Counsel for Father
?Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire - Counsel for Maternal Grandmother
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Plaintiff
VS.
DANIEL J. SMITH
MARGO E. LALLY
vs.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY RULE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE 1915.3-8, the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following report:
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION LAW
Defendant
Plaintiff
06-2411
CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
IN CUSTODY
1. The pertinent information concerning the Children who are the subjects of this litigation is as
follows:
NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
Asher Kylor Smith December 24, 1998 Father
Lydia Keran Lally Smith April 1, 2003 Father
2. A custody conciliation conference was held on March 25, 2008, with the following
individuals in attendance: the Mother, Elizabeth Shunk, formerly Smith, with her counsel, Mary A.
Etter Dissinger, Esquire, the Father, Daniel J. Smith, with his counsel, Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, and
the maternal Grandmother, Margo Lally, with her counsel, Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire.
3. This Court previously entered an Order in this matter on June 27, 2006 under which the
Mother had temporary primary custody and the Father had substantial temporary partial custody
pending a custody evaluation to be performed by Deborah Salem. Both parties sought primary
physical custody of the Children at that time. In April 2007, the Father reported suspected sexual
abuse of the parties' daughter, Lydia. Following an investigation by Children and Youth Services on
February 26, 2008, this Court entered an Order adopting the recommendations of the Master following
a Dependency proceeding in which the Master recommended that the Children remain in the care and
custody of the Father with no visitation to the Mother. The Master noted that there was a pending
criminal investigation on alleged sexual abuse of the parties' daughter and further recommended that
visitation only be granted pursuant to the guidance of the investigating police officer and counselor for
the Children.
4. The Mother filed this Petition for Modification seeking contact with the Children. The
maternal Grandmother filed a Complaint for Custody seeking partial physical custody of the Children,
which was addressed in the same custody conciliation conference.
5. The procedural history of this matter is complicated. Essentially, however, in April 2007,
the Father had the parties' daughter examined by a physician during one of the Father's periods of
custody. Allegations of sexual abuse of the Child by the Mother's husband, the Mother or both were
investigated by Children and Youth Services, culminating in a dependency hearing on February 21,
2008 and the recommendations of the Master. A criminal investigation was also initiated and the
status of that matter is uncertain. To date, it appears that no charges have been filed. The Mother has
pending appeals to the indicated findings of sexual abuse by Children and Youth Services.
6. As to the Mother's Petition for Modification and the custody matters between the parents, it
will be necessary to schedule a hearing. However, the Mother's counsel requested an opportunity to
obtain discovery from the prior investigations before obtaining a hearing date to ensure that all the
information is available for that proceeding.
A. The Mother's position on custody is as follows: the Mother denies all allegations of
sexual abuse against her or her husband. The Mother indicated that she has not been permitted to have
any contact with the Children since September 2007 despite the recommendation of Children and
Youth Services permitting supervised visitation. The Mother expressed concern that the allegations
and the subsequent handling of this matter by the Father have been designed to alienate the Children
from the Mother and her family.
B. The Father's position on custody is as follows: the Father believes that the
allegations of sexual abuse of the parties' Daughter by the Mother's husband or the Mother have been
supported by the evidence and consequently the Father believes it is in the Children's best interests to
remain in his sole care and custody.
7. The parties were able to reach an agreement to address the maternal Grandmother's
Complaint for Partial Custody through involvement of a counselor as reflected in the attached
proposed Order.
8. To serve the purpose of judicial economy, it was requested that both custody matters be
consolidated under the original custody proceedings docketed at No. 2006-2411.
9. The conciliator recommends an Order in the form as attached providing for the eventual
scheduling of a hearing in the custody matter between the parents and providing for the initiation of
counseling on the maternal Grandmother's Petition for Custody. It is anticipated that the hearing on
the Mother's Petition for Modification will require up to a full day in light of the complex issues and
the anticipated number of witnesses.
Date Dawn S. Sunday, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff/Petitioner
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant/Respondent
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
MOTION FOR RULE TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
And now comes Elizabeth Shunk by and through her attorney
Dissinger & Dissinger and requests the Court to direct the
Cumberland County District Attorney's office to turn over to her
copies of all video tapes and copies of all reports regarding thej
i
minor child, Lydia Smith, and in support of this Motion avers as
follows:
1. Petitioner is Elizabeth L. Shunk, natural mother, who
resides at 19 Dartmouth Court, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania.
2. Respondents are Daniel Smith, natural father who is believed
to reside at 1513 Market Street, Camp Hill, Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania.
3. Other respondent is the Cumberland County District
Attorney's office who is possession of various video tapes
and reports.
4. Parties in this action are the parents of two (2) minor
children, Asher Kylor Smith (DOB 12/24/98) and Lydia Kieran
Lally Smith (DOB 4/01/03).
5. In April 2007, Daniel Smith alleged that Petitioner's then
fiance', now husband, Gary Shunk, perpetrated sexual abuse
upon the minor child, Lydia.
6. That allegation be made within hours of Petitioner herein
notifying Respondent, Daniel Smith, that she and Mr. Shunk
were to be married in the near future.
7. Petitioner herein agreed to have no contact with the
children pending an investigation by Children and Youth.
8. In late October 2007, six (6) full months later, a separate
complaint of abuse was alleged against Petitioner herein,
after supposed "disclosures" from the minor child, Lydia,
regarding the April 2007 incident.
9. The allegations resulted in an investigation by Cumberland
County Children & Youth and an investigation by the Upper
Allen Township Police Department as well as the District
Attorney's office.
10. A finding of "Indicated" has been lodged against Petitioner
herein and her case, and her husband, Mr. Shunk, are
currently before the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals at the
Department of Public Welfare.
11. A hearing date before the Department of Public Welfare has
not yet been set for Petitioner, but Petitioner herein
expects that it will be set in the near future.
12. A hearing date has been set for Petitioner's husband, Mr.
Shunk, before the Department of Public Welfare.
13. Petitioner herein requires the video taped interviews and
other reports from the District Attorney's office to assist
her in defending her case before the Commonwealth.
14. Petitioner herein is also the movant in the custody matter
captioned above seeking to obtain primary physical custody
of the minor children of the parties, and before this matter
can proceed to hearing, Petitioner herein requires
sufficient evidence to establish that the allegations of
child abuse made against her and against Mr. Shunk are
baseless, and she believes that the video tape interviews
and the reports in the possession of the District Attorney's
office will exonerate both her and Mr. Shunk.
15. Petitioner is in need of the video taped interviews and
examinations that occurred at the Children's resource center
which were turned over to the District Attorney's office to
examine it herself before the Department of Public Welfare
and to assist her in her custody case.
16. A prior Motion to obtain Discovery and require the District
Attorney's office to provide the video tapes was filed by
Cindy L. Hribal, counsel for Mother in the Children & Youth
case, and after initial entry of an Order directing the
District Attorney to turn over the tapes, the Court upon
reconsideration directed that for so long as the
investigation was ongoing, Petitioner herein was not
entitled to have the tapes.
17. On December 19, 2007, the Court entered its Order directing
that discovery should not be provided pending the conclusion
of the District Attorney's criminal investigation.
18. It was Petitioner's impression that the Court did not wish
to see this case again in the spring of 2008 on the issue of
discovery.
19. The allegations of abuse arose in April 2007.
20. A search warrant was issued on June 27, 2007, and executed
on the same date authorizing a search of the property rented
by Petitioner herein and the motor vehicles owned by
Petitioner and her now husband.
21. Since the execution of the search warrant, Petitioner herein
believes nothing has become of the investigation.
22. Petitioner believes there is no on going investigation
although her counsel was informed on April 30, 2008, by the
District Attorney's office that there is still an active
investigation into the allegation of child abuse and no
information could be turned over.
23. As long as the District Attorney's office continues to
allege there is an ongoing investigation, Petitioner herein
is not able to establish her innocence before the Department
of Public Welfare and her custody case is stymied.
24. It is unfair for the District Attorney's office to hold the
relationship of the Petitioner herein with her children
hostage by the mere allegation that an investigation is
ongoing.
25. Petitioner believes that one year is more than sufficient
time for the District Attorney to conduct an investigation
into the allegations of child abuse, especially since she
and her husband both submitted to a polygraph test, and no
charges have been filed to date, and no active
investigations are apparent to Petitioner herein nor to
anyone else with whom she is familiar.
Wherefore it is respectfully requested that a Rule be issued
upon the District Attorney's office to show cause why the
investigation should not be deemed concluded and the video tapes
provided to the District Attorney's office regarding Lydia Smith
and all other reports in their possession pertaining to Lydia
Smith, whether generated in house by the District Attorney's
office or provide to them from another source be provided to
Petitioner herein.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary A.-Etter Dissinger
Attorney for Petitioner
Supreme Court ID #27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840
(717) 975-3924- fax
VERIFICATION
I, Elizabeth L. Shunk, verify that the statements made in
;he foregoing document are true and correct. I understand that
=alse statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18
?a.C.S. §4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Eliz eth L. S unk
Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Danielle R. Van Horn, hereby certify that on the date set
forth below I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
document upon the attorney for Defendant, and David J. Freed,
Cumberland County District Attorney, by First Class United States
mail addressed as follows:
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
David J. Freed, Esq.
1 Courthouse Square
Suite 202
Carlisle, PA 17013
Date ?J '-
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
y PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 28th day of May, 2008, upon consideration of the Motion to
Compel Discovery filed by the Plaintiff,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that:
1. A Rule is issued upon the Cumberland County District Attorney to show cause
why the relief requested should not be granted;
2. The Cumberland County District Attorney will file an answer on or before
June 17, 2008;
3. The Prothonotary is directed to forward said Answer to this Court.
4. If the Commonwealth denies access to the requested materials, Elizabeth
Shunk, as the moving party, shall file a brief with the Court specifically outlining what
legal authority she has to compel the District Attorney to turn over evidence obtained in
a criminal investigation for her use in a civil matter. This brief shall be filed on or before
June 27, 2008.
5. The Commonwealth shall file a response brief on or before July 21, 2008.
6. Argument on this matter shall be held on Thursday, July 31, 2008, at
3:30 p.m. in Courtroom No. 5 of the Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania.
By the Court,
N\?
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
k
ZMary A. Etter Dissin9er, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
? Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
David J. Freed, District Attorney - bAS 5? q yr
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk) CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
COMMONWEALTH'S ANSWER TO PETITIONER'S RULE TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
AND NOW, comes the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by and
through its attorney Christin J. Mehrtens-Carlin, Senior
Assistant District Attorney of Cumberland County, who
respectfully opposes petitioner's request for discovery based on
the following:
1. Admitted in part. It is admitted that the petitioner is
Elizabeth L. Shunk, the natural mother of two (2) minor
children, Asher Kylor Smith and Lydia Kieran Lally Smith.
The Commonwealth is without sufficient knowledge or
information to determine the petitioner's address.
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted.
4. Admitted.
5. Denied. It is denied that in April 2007, Daniel Smith
alleged that Gary Shunk perpetrated sexual abuse upon the
minor child, Lydia Smith. (See Commonwealth's "New
Matter" for further explanation.)
2
6. The Commonwealth is without sufficient information or
knowledge to form a belief as to the truth of this
averment. Strict proof is demanded. By way of further
answer, it is denied that Daniel Smith made any such
allegations.
7. The Commonwealth is without sufficient information or
knowledge to form a belief as to the truth of this
averment. Strict proof is demanded.
8. Denied. By way of further answer, the allegations were
made prior to October 2007.
9. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that
as a result of the allegations made in this case, both
Cumberland County Children and Youth and the Upper Allen
Township Police Department began an investigation. It is
denied that the District Attorney's Office implemented a
separate investigation as that is not the function of the
office.
10. The Commonwealth is without sufficient information or
knowledge to form a belief as to the truth of this
averment. Strict proof is demanded.
11. The Commonwealth is without sufficient information or
knowledge to form a belief as to the truth of this
averment. Strict proof is demanded.
3
12. The Commonwealth is without sufficient information or
knowledge to form a belief as to the truth of this
averment. Strict proof is demanded.
13. Denied. It is denied that petitioner requires taped
interviews and reports from the Commonwealth to assist in
her appeal.
14. Insufficient evidence to admit or deny in part and denied
in part. The Commonwealth is without sufficient evidence
or knowledge to either admit or deny that the petitioner
is the moving party in a custody matter to obtain primary
physical custody of the minor children. It is denied that
the petitioner requires videotaped interviews and reports,
in the possession of the Commonwealth, to provide
sufficient evidence that the allegations are baseless.
15. Denied. It is denied that the petitioner needs the above
mentioned tapes and reports, to view, before her appeal to
the Department of Public Welfare and to assist her in her
custody case.
16. Admitted. It is admitted that petitioner made a prior
motion to obtain the above mentioned tapes and reports.
It is further admitted that this Honorable Court ruled
that "pending the conclusion of the District Attorney's
criminal investigation, the request for the video tapes of
the Children's Resource Center's interviews with the child
4
currently in the possession of the District Attorney's
Office is DENIED." (See Commonwealth's "New Matter.")
17. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that
this Honorable Court denied the petitioner's request for
discovery. It is denied that the Order implied discovery
must be immediately forthcoming upon completion of the
criminal investigation.
18. The Commonwealth is without sufficient information or
knowledge to form a belief as to the truth of this
averment. Strict proof is demanded.
19. Admitted. It is admitted that the abuse alleged occurred
in April 2007.
20. Admitted.
21. Denied. It is denied that since the execution of the
search warrant "nothing has become of [this]
investigation."
22. Denied in part and admitted in part. It is denied that
there is no longer an ongoing investigation. It is
admitted that the District Attorney's Office represented
in April 2008, that the investigation is ongoing and no
discovery would be disclosed.
23. Denied.
24. Denied. It is denied that the District Attorney's Office
is holding the petitioner's relationship with her children
5
"hostage." It is further denied that the District
Attorney's Office is merely alleging that an investigation
is ongoing.
25. Denied. It is denied that there is a sufficient period of
time for the Commonwealth to bring charges. It is further
denied that both the petitioner and her husband submitted
to a polygraph examinations. It is further denied that
petitioner is in a position to determine if there is an
active investigation in this case.
COMMONWEALTH'S NEW MATTER
26. The minor child, Lydia Smith, has made allegations of
sexual abuse against both the petitioner and Gary Shank.
27. Daniel Smith, the father of the minor victim, has not made
any allegations with regards to this case.
28. As of the filing of this motion, charges have not been
filed against the petitioner or Gary Shank.
29. The Commonwealth will not make a determination of whether
charges are appropriate until the victim, a five-year old
child, becomes a little older.
30. Given the severity of the allegations in this case and the
age of the minor victim, it is unrealistic to demand that
the Commonwealth take action within a specified time
period, as expected by the petitioner.
6
31. This Honorable Court's Order.of December 19, 2007, does
not indicate that discovery would be automatic once the
Commonwealth's investigation is complete, but rather, that
the discovery request was denied at least until that
point.
32. Pursuant to the "Right-to-Know" Law, "[a] record of an
agency relating to or resulting in a criminal
investigation..." is exempt from public record; including
videos and reports. 65 P.S. §67.101 & §67.708(b)(16).
33. The "Right-to-Know" Law further clarifies that records are
not public records if disclosure would "[h]inder an
agency's ability to secure an arrest, prosecution or
conviction." 65 P.S. §67.708(b)(16)(vi)(D).
34. The "Right-to-Know" Law's exclusion for information
relating to police investigations applies not only to
active investigations, but also to records relating to
completed investigations. Commonwealth v. Mines, 680 A.2d
1227 (Pa. Commw. Ct, 1996); Amro v. Office of Attorney
General, 783 A.2d 897 (Pa. Commw. Ct, 2001).
35. Regardless of whether the Commonwealth's investigation is
active or completed, the petitioner is not entitled to the
requested tapes or reports.
7
36. The "Right-to-Know" Law focuses on the documents being
requested and not the petitioner's purpose for the
request. 65 P.S. §67.101 et. seq.
37. Regardless of this petitioner's purpose for the request,
the videotapes and reports requested are not a public
record and should not be disclosed pursuant to the above
referenced law.
38. The petitioner has cited to no cases that would compel
this Court to grant her the relief requested.
WHEREFORE it is respectfully requested that the
petitioner's "Rule to Compel Discovery" be DENIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Christin J. Me Prtens-Carlin
Senior Assistant District Attorney
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
Plaintiff
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-2411 C I V I L Tt-P- M
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN RE: MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 31st day of July, 2008, upon
consideration of the Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Discovery, the
Commonwealth's answer thereto, consideration of the briefs filed
by the parties, and after argument, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND
DIRECTED that the Motion to Compel Discovery is Denied.
By the Court,
V*\ -t UA
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J
./Eristin Mehrtens-Carlin, Esquire
Senior Assistant District Attorney
Wary Dissinger, Esquire
For the Plaintiff
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I, IN
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. 06-2411 CIVIC.. TEL M
DANIEL J. SMITH, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant
IN RE: MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 31st day of July, 2008, upon
consideration of the Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Discovery, the
Commonwealth's answer thereto, consideration of the briefs filed
by the parties, and after argument, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND
DIRECTED that the Motion to Compel Discovery is Denied.
By the Court,
?*\ -? UA
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J
/5ristin Mehrtens-Carlin, Esquire
Senior Assistant District Attorney
,"a.ry Dissinger, Esquire
For the Plaintiff
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Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff/Petitioner
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant/Respondent
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
MOTION FOR EXPEDITED CUSTODY HEARING
And now comes Elizabeth Shunk by and through her attorney
Dissinger & Dissinger and requests the Court schedule a custody
hearing in the above matter and in support of this Motion avers
as follows:
Petitioner is Elizabeth L. Shunk, natural mother, who
resides at a location she wishes to not disclose.
'.. Respondents are Daniel Smith, natural father who resides at
1513 Market Street, Camp Hill, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania.
3. Other parties who have been joined in this suit are Margo E.
Lally, maternal grandmother, who has filed a Complaint in
custody to Cumberland County Docket # 08-1718 asserting
certain rights in regard to the minor children of the
parties.
!. Docket #08-1718 has since been consolidated with the above
captioned matter between Elizabeth Shunk and Daniel Smith.
?. Dr. Richard E. Lally, maternal grandfather has filed a
Complaint in custody to Cumberland County Docket # 08-3092
asserting certain rights in regard to the minor children of
the parties.
6. The Honorable Judge M. L. Ebert has been assigned to these
matters.
7. Elizabeth L. Shunk and Daniel Smith are the parents of two
(2) minor children, Asher Kylor Smith (DOB 12/24/98) and
Lydia Kieran Lally Smith (DOB 4/01/03).
8. In April 2007, Daniel Smith alleged that Petitioner's then
fianc6, now husband, Gary Shunk, perpetrated sexual abuse
upon the minor child, Lydia.
9. That allegation was made within hours of Petitioner herein
notifying Respondent, Daniel Smith, that she and Mr. Shunk
were to be married in the near future.
10. Petitioner herein agreed to have no contact with the
children pending an investigation by Children and Youth.
L1. In late October 2007, six (6) full months later, a separate
complaint of abuse was alleged against Petitioner herein,
after supposed "disclosures" from the minor child, Lydia,
regarding the April 2007 incident.
12. The allegations resulted in an investigation by Cumberland
County Children & Youth and an investigation by the Upper
Allen Township Police Department as well as the District
Attorney's office.
_3. A finding of "Indicated" has been lodged against Petitioner
herein and her case, and her husband's, Mr. Shunk, are
currently before the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals at the
Department of Public Welfare.
14. Petitioner herein is the movant in the custody matter
captioned above seeking to obtain primary physical custody
of the minor children of the parties.
15. Children & Youth recommended supervised visitation occur
between Petitioner herein and the minor children of the
parties.
16. For a brief period of time, Daniel Smith cooperated with
Children & Youth, but then terminated all supervised visits
and all contact with Petitioner herein.
17. Petitioner herein filed a Petition to Modify Custody on
March 7, 2008.
18. A custody conference was held on March 25, 2008.
19. An Order was entered April 1, 2008. (See copy attached as
Exhibit A.)
20. Respondent herein has refused to cooperate and comply with
the Order of Court.
21. Respondent on March 25, 2008 agreed at conciliation to
provide authorizations so Petitioner herein could obtain
medical and other information regarding the children.
22. Respondent herein then refused to provide the
authorizations, and as recently as Auqust 4, 2008 said he
would "consider it," but he has refused since March 25, 2008
to cooperate.
23.
Counseling directed under the Order of April 1, 2008 has
been ineffective due to Respondent's lack of cooperation.
(See copies of 2 correspondences from counselor to counsel
for the parties attached as Exhibit B.)
24. Respondent herein refused to pay for counseling initially,
and only as a result of Petitioner's assistance in paying
for the appointment for Mr. Smith did counseling commence.
(See copies of 2 correspondences from Attorney Maclay
evidencing such, attached as Exhibit C.)
25. Petitioner believes Respondent has engaged in a course of
conduct designed to alienate her from the children.
26. Dr. Lally filed a Complaint for Custody on May 15, 2008.
27. A custody conference was scheduled on that matter for June
26, 2008 and then on June 20, 2008 was rescheduled to July
16, 2008, as indicated by a letter dated June 23, 2008 and
copy of the Order from Attorney Sumple-Sullivan to all
counsel. (See Exhibit D attached.)
?8. At the verbal request of Respondent's counsel that custody
conference was rescheduled to August 1, 2008, at 10:30am.
?9. On the morning of August 1, 2008, Petitioner herein received
a letter, via fax, from Respondent's counsel indicating they
would not be appearing at the custody conference and instead
where going to file objections to standing of Dr. Lally.
(See Exhibit E attached.)
;0. Petitioner herein intended to utilize the custody conference
to advance her case for custodial time with the children,
but was unable to do so as a result of Respondent's last
minute conduct.
31. Petitioner believes that to schedule another custody
conference would be futile and that this matter should be
scheduled for hearing in the best interest of the children.
32. Respondent's counsel acknowledges that "...chances of
progress being made at the scheduled conciliation this
morning are zero...". (See Exhibit E attached.)
33. Petitioner requests that an expedited hearing be scheduled.
34. Counsel for all parties were notified of Petitioner's
intentions to file this Motion for Expedited Custody
Hearing, via fax on Friday, August 8, 2008.
WHEREFORE Petitioner requests that an expedited hearing be
schedule for all parties in both cases.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary A. Etter Dissing
Attorney for Petitioner
Supreme Court ID #27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840
(717) 975-3924- fax
VERIFICATION
I, Elizabeth L. Shunk, 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. §4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Eliz th L. Sh nk
ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Plaintiff
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendant
MARGO E. LALLY
Plaintiff
vs.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
MAR 2 8 2008 .?-?
T14E COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-2411
CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this ?s°+. day of fij),, * ? , , 2008, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Rep , it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. A hearing on the Mother's Petition for Modification shall be scheduled at the request
of the Mother and her counsel after discovery has been completed. For purposes of the hearing, the
Mother shall be deemed to be the moving party and shall proceed initially with the testimony. Counsel
for the parties shall file with the Court and opposing counsel a memorandum setting forth each party's
position on custody, a list of witnesses who are expected to testify at the hearing, and a summary of the
anticipated testimony of each witness. These memoranda shall be filed at least 10 days prior to the
hearing date.
2. Pending the hearing and further Order of Court or agreement of the parties, the prior Order
of this Court dated February 26, 2008 adopting the Master's recommendations shall continue in effect.
3. If necessary to obtain information/documentation from Children and Youth Services
regarding the investigation and findings in this matter, the parties shall cooperate in providing any
requested authorizations to obtain lawful discovery.
4. The parties shall make arrangements for the Children to participate in counseling with
Bonnie Howard or Melinda Eash for the purpose of assessing the Children's readiness and well-being
in reestablishing contact between the Children and the maternal Grandmother. In the event the
counselor determines that the Children are ready, the reunification process shall take place initially
within the counseling process or as otherwise recommended by the counselor. The parties shall follow
the recommendations of the counselor with regard to participation in counseling, either individually or
,,vith the Children by the maternal Grandmother or the Father. The parties shall follow the
recommendations of the counselor with regard to the timing of reunification and shall sign any-
EXHIBIT
A
authorizations deemed necessary by the counselor in order to obtain additional information pertaining
to the parties or the Children. The maternal Grandmother and the Father shall cooperate in selecting
the counselor and in contacting the counselor's office within ten (10) days of the date of the custody
conciliation conference to schedule the initial appointment. The parties shall cooperate in coordinating
insurance coverage for the costs of the reunification counseling.
BY THE COURT,
M. L. E ert, Jr. J.
cc: Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire - Counsel for Mother
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire - Counsel for Father
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire - Counsel for Maternal Grandmother
a . ' 3Y'3
ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Plaintiff
VS.
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendant
MARGO E. LALLY
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
VS.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
06-2411
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 DATE OF BIRTH CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
Asher Kylor Smith December 24, 1998 Father
Lydia Keran Lally Smith April 1, 2003 Father
2. A custody conciliation conference was held on March 25, 2008, with the following
individuals in attendance: the Mother, Elizabeth Shunk, formerly Smith, with her counsel, Mary A.
Etter Dissinger, Esquire, the Father, Daniel J. Smith, with his counsel, Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, and
the maternal Grandmother, Margo Lally, with her counsel, Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire.
3. This Court previously entered an Order in this matter on June 27, 2006 under which the
Mother had temporary primary custody and the Father had substantial temporary partial custody
pending a custody evaluation to be performed by Deborah Salem. Both parties sought primary
physical custody of the Children at that time. In April 2007, the Father reported suspected sexual
abuse of the parties' daughter, Lydia. Following an investigation by Children and Youth Services on
February 26, 2008, this Court entered an Order adopting the recommendations of the Master following
a Dependency proceeding in which the Master recommended that the Children remain in the care and
custody of the Father with no visitation to the Mother. The Master noted that there was a pending
criminal investigation on alleged sexual abuse of the parties' daughter and further recommended that
visitation only be granted pursuant to the guidance of the investigating police officer and counselor for
the Children.
4. The Mother filed this Petition for Modification seeking contact with the Children. The
maternal Grandmother filed a Complaint for Custody seeking partial physical custody of the Children,
which was addressed in the same custody conciliation conference.
5. The procedural history of this matter is complicated. Essentially, however, in April 2007,
the Father had the parties' daughter examined by a physician during one of the Father's periods of
custody. Allegations of sexual abuse of the Child by the Mother's husband, the Mother or both were
investigated by Children and Youth Services, culminating in a dependency hearing on February 21,
2008 and the recommendations of the Master. A criminal investigation was also initiated and the
status of that matter is uncertain. To date, it appears that no charges have been filed. The Mother has
pending appeals to the indicated findings of sexual abuse by Children and Youth Services.
6. As to the Mother's Petition for Modification and the custody matters between the parents, it
will be necessary to schedule a hearing. However, the Mother's counsel requested an opportunity to
obtain discovery from the prior investigations before obtaining a hearing date to ensure that all the
information is available for that proceeding.
A. The Mother's position on custody is as follows: the Mother denies all allegations of
sexual abuse against her or her husband. The Mother indicated that she has not been permitted to have
any contact with the Children since September 2007 despite the recommendation of Children and
Youth Services permitting supervised visitation. The Mother expressed concern that the allegations
and the subsequent handling of this matter by the Father have been designed to alienate the Children
from the Mother and her family.
B. The Father's position on custody is as follows: the Father believes that the
allegations of sexual abuse of the parties' Daughter by the Motther's husband or the Mother have been
supported by the evidence and consequently the Father believes it is in the Children's best interests to
remain in his sole care and custody.
7. The parties were able to reach an agreement to address the maternal Grandmother's
Complaint for Partial Custody through involvement of a counselor as reflected in the attached
proposed Order.
8. To serve the purpose of judicial economy, it was requested that both custody matters be
consolidated under the original custody proceedings docketed at No. 2006-2411.
9. The conciliator recommends an Order in the form as attached providing for the eventual
scheduling of a hearing in the custody matter between the parents and providing for the initiation of
counseling on the maternal Grandmother's Petition for Custody. It is anticipated that the hearing on
the Mother's Petition for Modification will require up to a full day in light of the complex issues and
the anticipated number of witnesses.
L
r'ylc?t o? 7,«c?
Date Dawn S. Sunday, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
May 12 08 11:19a Riegler Shienvold & Assoc
Riegler • Shienvold
& Associates
May 12, 2008
Attorney Lindsay Gingrich MaClay
Fax: 657-4996
Attorney Mary Dissinger
Fax: 975-3924
Attorney Mark Bailey
Fax: 241-2456
Re: Lally v. Shunk v. Smith
Reunification Case
Dear Attorneys,
7175401416 p.2
Elliot Riegler, Ph.D. (1948-1999)
Arnold T. Shienvuld, Ph.D.
Melinda Eash, MS
James Eash. LSW
Bonnie Howard, Ph.D.
Amy K. Keisling, ACSIV. LCSW
Tracy Richards, QCSW, LCSW
Dyanne Sage, QCSbV, LCSW
Jeffrey Pincus, Ph.D.
Ann Verguales, ACSW, LCS\V
Kasey Shienvold, Psy.D.
Shaner, Turk-Geller. LCSW
John Sivley, LCSW, CAC
.13-net Frankel Staub, LCS1k', QCSW
This letter is written to update you on the status of the above-mentioned case.
On April 23, 2008 Dr. Shienvold met individually with Margo Lally and Elizabeth Shunk.
Daniel Smith was scheduled to be seen today, May 12, 2008. However, on May 9, 2008 Daniel
phoned our office and left a voice mail message for me stating that he did not have the money for
the visits at our office and was not going to reschedule his appointment.
If you have any questions or if we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
C 4-4-tlo-t?
Susan Smith c?
Riegler, Shienvold & Associates
2151 Linglestown Road, Suite 200 Harrisburg, Pe EXHIBIT ) 540-1313 Fax: (717) 540-1416
ww%v.rie
`:., ?• Uiol Rieder, Ph.D. (1948-1991))
Arnold T. Shienvold, Ph.D.
iehler •Shienvold X•lclinda Eash, NIS
& AS-50dates .lame: Eash. LSW
Bonnie Howard. Ph.D.
Arz?y K. Keisling, ACStiV, LCSW
July 31, 2008
Y ? Tracy Rich Ards. QCSW, LCSW
Dyanne Sagc, QCSkb'. LCSW
Jeffrey Pincus, Ph.D.
Attorney Lindsay Gingrich Maclay Ann Veruales. ACSW, LC'SW
Fax: 657-4996 Kawy Shienvold, Psy.D.
Shanen Turk-Geller. LCSW
John Sivlcv, LC'SW, CAC
Attorney Mary Dissinger
Janct Frankel Stinib, LC'SW, QCSW
Fax: 975-3924
Attorney Mark Bailey
Fax: 241-2456
Re: Lally v. Shunk v. Smith
Reunification Case
Dear Attorneys,
The purpose of this letter is to update you on the status of this case.
As of this date, each party has only met one time with Dr. Kasey Shienvold. Margo Lally and
Elizabeth Shunk had their initial appointment with Dr. Shienvold on April 23, 2008. Daniel
Smith's first visit with Dr. Shienvold was scheduled on May 12, 2008, however, Daniel cancelled
this appointment and did not wish to reschedule.
Eventually, Daniel Smith did reschedule his initial appointment and was seen on June 9, 2008. At
this appointment, Dr. Shienvold asked Daniel to phone the office and schedule a time for him to
bring the children to the office. My records indicate that Daniel phoned the office on June 25, 2008
and was offered three appointment dates (July 7, 2008 at 5:30 pm, July 16, 2008 at 5 :00 pm and July
17, 2008 at 5:00 or 6:00 pm.) Daniel was unable to schedule on any of these dates, but did schedule
an appointment on July 22, 2008. Unfortunately, our office had to cancel this appointment and the
appointment was rescheduled for July 29, 2008.
Dr. Shienvold did meet with the children on July 29, 2008. I will follow-up with Dr. Shienvold upon
his return to the office on August 6, 2008 regarding the next step in this case.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Susan Smith
Administrative Assistant
Dr. Kasey Shienvold
2151 Linulestown Road, Suite 200 - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110 - (717) 540-13 13 - Fax: (7 17) 540-1416
www.ricglcrshicnvold.com
PATRICIA CAREY ZUCKER
SANDRA L. MEILTON
STEVEN P. MINER
KATHLEEN MISTURAK-GINGRICH
LINDSAY GINGRICH MACLAY
QUINTINA M. LAUDERMILCH
PATRICIA A. PATTON
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
May 28, 2008
VIA FACSIMILE (717) 241-2456
& United States First Class Mail
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
BAYLEY & MANGAN
17 West South Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Re: Lally v. Shunk & Smith (In Custody)
Docket No. 2008-1718 (Cumberland County)
Dear Mark:
This letter will serve as a confirmation of our telephone conversation yesterday
regarding the above-referenced matter. As we agreed during that call, Ms. Shunk
will receive credit for One Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($125.00) towards her
child support obligation to Dan Smith at PACSES case number 323109832. One
Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($125.00) is the cost of Mr. Smith's initial
appointment with Dr. Kasey Shienvold for purposes of the reunification therapy.
The payment will be made directly to Dr. Shienvold's office and you will contact
Conference Officer Amy Ickes to determine how Ms. Shunk can receive credit for
the One Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($125.00) that will be paid on Mr. Smith's
behalf. Upon receipt of that information, you will provide me with same and we
will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that Ms. Shunk gets credit for the
One Hundred Twenty Five Dollar ($125.00) payment. Any and all documentation
in this regard must be forwarded to conference officer Amy Ickes on or before
Friday, May 30, 2008.
REPLY TO:
In the interim, you will prepare and file a Petition with Cumberland County to
EAST SHORE OFFICE: request money from the slush fund to enable Mr. Smith to continue with any
1029 SCENERY DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA 17109 additional appointments necessary, or to cover any portion of his and/or Ms.
717-657-4795 Shunk's and/or Ms. Lally's portions of the reunification therapy.
717-657-4996 FAx
Finally, I have been in contact with your secretary, Julie, who advised that Mr.
WEST SHORE OFFICE: Smith would not be available on the following dates: June 11'', June 30'' and July
1035 MUMMA ROAD 130'-17t , 2008 to attend the appointment with Dr. Kasey Shienvold. I have also
SUITE 101
WORMLEYSBURG, PA 17043 been in touch with Susan at Dr. Kasey Shienvold's office who had indicated that
717-724-8821 his next available appointment that fits within Mr. Smith's provided dates is
717-724-9826 FAx Monday, June 9, 2008 at 5:30. I have made that appointment and have assured
Susan that the money will be there for that appointment prior to the appointment.
EXHIC7GRICH, DALEY ZUCKER MEIL LLC
A Pennsylvanut Ce rise
Mark F. Bayley
May 28, 2008
Page 2
To that end, I expect Mr. Smith to arrive promptly for the appointment and stay for the duration,
which I have been told is one (1) hour. I trust that he will refrain from attempting to drag this
reunification therapy out any longer.
Thank you in advance for your attention to these matters. I look forward to hearing from you with
regard to your conversation with Ms. Ickes. As always, should you have any questions or should
you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Very truly yours,
DALEY ZUCKER MEILTON
MINER & GINGRICH, LLC
i dsay Gi rich clay
LGM/dsf
cc: Mary Etter Dissinger, Esquire
Ms. Margo Lally
,j n.
PATRICIA CAREY ZUCKEH
SANDRA L. MEILTON
STEVEN P. MINER
KATHLEEN MISTURAK-GINGRIGH
LINDSAY GINGRICH MACLAY
QUINTINA M. LAUDERMILCM
PATRICIA A. PATTON
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
June 3, 2008
VIA FACSIMILE (717) 241-2456
& U.S. MAIL
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
BAYLEY & MANGAN
17 West South Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Re: Lally v. Shunk & Smith (In Custody)
Docket No. 2008-1718 (Cumberland County)
Dear Mark:
This letter will serve as a confirmation of our telephone conversation earlier today
regarding the above-referenced matter. As we discussed during that call, you have
been in contact with Conference Officer Amy Ickes who has advised that Ms.
Shunk currently has a support arrearage of $477.57, which stems from the
retroactivity of the support Order against her. As I advised, the cost (5125.00) of
Mr. Smith's Monday, June 9, 2008 appointment with Dr. Kasey Shienvold has
already been paid directly to Riegler Shinevold & Associates. Pursuant to our
agreement, Ms. Shunk will receive credit for One Hundred Twenty Five Dollars
($125.00) towards her child support obligation to Dan Smith at PACSES case
number 323109832. You have agreed to write and advise Conference Officer Amy
Ickes that Ms. Shunk should receive a 5125.00 credit on her arrearage. Kindly
provide me with a courtesy copy of that letter to Amy Ickes no later than Friday,
June 6, 2008.
REPLY TO: Currently, it is my understanding that you are in the process of preparing a Petition
with Cumberland County to request money from the slush fiord to enable Mr.
EAST SWORE OFFICE: Smith to continue with any additional appointments necessary, or to cover any
1029 SCENERY DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA 17109 portion of his and/or Ms. Shunk's and/or Ms. Lally's portions of the reunification
717.657.4795 therapy. Kindly provide both Attorney Dissinger and me with a copy of the
717.557.4996 FAX petition prior to filing same.
WesT SHORE OFFICE: Finally, I have confirmed with Susan at Dr. Shienvold's office Mr. Smith's
1035 MOMMA ROAD
SUITE 101 appointment with Dr. KaseY Shienvold is scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2008 at
WORMLEYSBURG, PA 17043 5:30. Again, I expect Mr. Smith to arrive promptly for the appointment and stay
717.724-9821 for the duration, which I have been told is ono (1) hour. I trust that he will refrain
717-724-9826 FAX
from attempting to drag this reunification therapy out any longer.
DALEY ZUCKER MEILTON MINER & GINGRICH, LLC
A Pennsylvania Casrjud Woman Buriness E'»terprire
un. .
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
June 3, 2008
Page Two
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in thcsc matters. I look forward to receipt of a copy of
the letter to Ms. Ickes, as well as to the draft Petition. As always, should you have any questions
or should you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Very truly yours,
DALEY ZUCKER MEILTON
MINER & GINGRICH, LLC
1
in say Gi inch Maclay
LGM/
cc: Mary Etter Dissinger, Esquire (via facsimile (717) 975-3929 & US Mail)
Ms. Margo Lally (via US Mail only)
LAW OFFICES
BARBARA SUMPLE-SULLIVAN
549 BRIDGE STREET
NEW CUMBERLAND, PENNSYLVANIA 17070-1931
PHONE (717) 774-1445
FAX (717) 774-7059
June 23, 2008
Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Dissinger and Dissinger Daley Zucker Meilton Miner & Gingrich, LLC
400 South State Road 1029 Scenery Drive
Marysville, PA 17053 Harrisburg, PA 17109
Mark-F. Bayley, Esquire
Bayley & Mangan Law Office
57 W. Pomfret Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Re: Richard E. Lally v. Daniel J. Smith and Elizabeth L. Smith
Docket No 2008-3092 / Cumberland County
Dear Counsel:
Enclosed constituting service on you is the Order of Court rescheduling the
Custody Conciliation for Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter. If you should have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan
BSS/as
Enclosure
cc: Dr. Richard E. Lally
EXHIBIT
j '*'
jr-
RICHARD E. LALLY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2008-3092 CIVIL ACTION LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH AND ELIZABETH L. IN CUSTODY
SMITH
DEFENDANT
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Friday, June 20, 2008 , 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 Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 11:30 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. 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 q.
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 StrIRUE Cn''PY NRC- N RECORD
Carlisle, Pennsylvanian 1fA4nony v,he.reof, 1 here unto set my hand
Telephone (717) 24"}fi6 seal of said Court at Carlisle, Pa.
This .... s;?? .. day of,4; rk " .
...............11 .....f=:.,. ?...
Prothonotary
Bayley & Mangan
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
17 West South Street
Curlislc, Pa 17013
Mark F. Baylcy, Lquim
Ahn L Manran, ill, &gvire
JAC M. V V W. t'arole .a[
Tclcpboov (717)241.2446
FAA: (717) 241-2456
August 1, 2008
Dawn S. Sunday, Esquire
Via Fax Only: 795-7280
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
Via Fax Only: 774-1.445
Mary.A. Dissinger, Esquire
Via Fax Only: 975-3924
RE: Lally v. Smith & Smith 2008-3092
Dear Dawn. Barbara and Mary:
Mr. Smith has decided to contest Mr. Lally 's standing with regard to the above matter.
His motion is being filed this mornuig. Based upon this fact, the chances of progress being made
at the scheduled conciliation this morning are zero and Y do not plan to be present with Mr.
Smith.
Sincerely,
Mark F. Bayley, Esq re
MR/jmg/
EXHIBIT
Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff
VS.
(Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
document upon the Mark Bayley, Esq., Barbara Sumple-Sullivan,
Esq., and Lindsay Maclay, Esq., by First Class United States mail
addressed as follows:
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
AND
Lindsay Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
te: Lg l'
Mary Etter issin r
C7
"s
1
y'w _ w
Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff/Petitioner
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant/Respondent
:IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
:OF CUMBERLAND
:OF PENNSYLVANIA
:CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
:NO. 06-2411
NO ORDER FOR TRANSCRIPT
A Notice of Appeal having been filed in this matter, and there
having been no hearing but only briefs and argument regarding a
Motion to Compel Discovery, no transcript is being requested.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
Attorney at Petitioner
Supreme Court ID # 27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717)975-2840
%"W .
Elizabeth L. Smith, :IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff/Petitioner :OF CUMBERLAND
VS. :OF PENNSYLVANIA
:CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant/Respondent :NO. 06-2411
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
document, by First Class United States mail addressed as follows:
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
AND
Lindsay Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
AND
Cumberland County District Attorney
1 Courthouse Square
Suite 202
Carlisle, PA 17013
Date: .2 Mary Etter Dissinger
:? r?
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Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff/Petitioner
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant/Respondent
:IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
:OF CUMBERLAND
:OF PENNSYLVANIA
:CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
:NO. 06-2411
NOTICE OF APPEAL
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Ett r Dissinger
Attorney at Law
Supreme Court ID # 27736
Attorney for Elizabeth Shunk
28 North 32"d St.
Camp Hill, PA 17011
717-975-2840
Notice is hereby given that Plaintiff, Elizabeth Shunk,
hereby appeals to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania from the
Order of Court entered in this matter dated July 31, 2008, denying
discovery, which order Plaintiff believes is a collateral order
under Pa. R.A.P. 313 and Ben v. Schwartz, 556 Pa.475, 729 A.2d 547
(1999) and Berkyheiser v. A-Plus Investigations, Inc. 936 A.2d
1117, 2007 PA Super 336 (2007). The Order has been entered in the
docket as evidenced by the attached copy of the docket entry.
Elizabeth L.,Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff/Petitioner
VS.
(Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant/Respondent
:IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
:OF CUMBERLAND
:OF PENNSYLVANIA
:CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
:NO. 06-2411
CERTIFICATE of SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
document, by First Class United States mail addressed as follows:
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
AND
Lindsay Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
AND
Cumberland County District Attorney
1 Courthouse Square
Suite 202
Carlisle, PA 17013
te:_ IL'a,'Zo?
Mary A. Etter Dissinger Y
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 1
Civil Case Print
2006-02411 SMITH ELIZABETH L (vs) SMITH DANIEL J
Reference No. Filed......... 4/28/2006
Case Type.....: COMPLAINT - CUSTODY Time........ 2:16
Judgment......: .00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.:
Higher Crt 2.:
********************************************************************************
General Index Attorney Info
SMITH ELIZABETH L PLAINTIFF BAKER DIANE S
1660 E CARACAS AVENUE
HERSHEY (DAUPHIN CO) PA 17033 -44 COPY FROM RECORD
SMITH DANIEL J DEFENDANT in TOSO iY C+ hero , I here tintO so my hand
307 E MAIN STREET and Vw n10 Said ODU t At Cffk*, ft.
MECHANICSBURG PA 17055
************************************************* ***
* Date Entries
- --- FIRST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4/28/2006 COMPLAINT - CUSTODY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
5/08/2006 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 05-08-06 - IN RE: PRE-HEARING CUSTODY
CONFERENCE ON 06-08-06 AT 2:30 PM AT MDJ MANLOVE 1901 STATE ST
CAMP HILL - FOR THE COURT BY MELISSA P GREEVY ATTY CUSTODY
CONCILIATOR - COPIED AND MAILED 05-08-06
-------------------------------------------------------------------
5/12/2006 ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE - CUSTODY COMPLAINT - BY KARA W HAGGERTY
ATTY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
6/28/2006 INTERIM ORDER OF COURT - 06-27-06 - IN RE: CUSTODY - M L EBERT JR
J - COPIES MAILED 06-28-062422
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3/10/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 3/7/08 IN RE: CUSTODY - PREHEARING CUSTODY
CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR 3/25/08 AT 9:00 AM 39 WEST MAIN STREET
MECHANICSBURG - BY DAWN S SUNDAY ESQ CUSTODY CONCILIATOR - COPIES
MAILED 3/10/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/02/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 4/1/08 IN RE: CUSTODY CONCILIATION REPORT - A
HEARING ON THE MOTHER'S PETITION FOR MODIFICATION SHALL BE
SCHEDULED AT THE REQUEST OF THE MOTHER AND HER COUNSEL AFTER
DISCOVERY HAS BEEN COMPLETED - ORDER OF THIS COURT DATED 2/26/08
ADOPTING THE MASTER'S RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL CONTINUE IN EFFECT- BY
M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 4/2/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
5/19/2008 MOTION FOR RULE TO COMPEL DISCOVERY - BY MARY A ETTER DISSINGER
ATTY FOR PETITIONER
-------------------------------------------------------------------
5/28/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 5 28 08 IN RE: MOTION FOR RULE TO COMPEL
DISCOVERY - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT 1- A RULE
IS ISSUED UPON THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTY TO SHOW CAUSE
WHY THE RELIEF REQUESTED SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED 2- THE CUMBERLAND
COUNTY DISTIRICT ATTY WILL FILE AND ANSWER ON OR BEFORE 6/17/08
3- THE PROTHONOTARY IS DIRECTED TO FORWARD SAID ANSWER TO THIS
COURT 4- IF THE COMMONWEALTH DENIES ACCESS TO THE REQUESTED
MATERIALS ELIZABETH SHUNK AS THE MOVING PARTY SHALL FILE A BRIEF
WITH THE COURT SPECIFICALLY OUTLINING WHAT LEGAL AUTHORITY SHE HAS
TO COMPEL THE DISTRICT ATTY TO TURN OVER EVIDENCE OBTAINED IN A
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION FOR HER USE IN A CIVIL MAT'T'ER THIS BRIEF
SHALL BE FILED OF OR BEFORE 6/27/08 5- THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL
FILE A RESPONSE BRIEF ON OR B/FORE 7/21/08 6- ARGUMENT ON THIS
MATTER SHALL BE 3108 AT 3: PM IN CR 5
COUNTY COURTHOUSEH- BYOM L/EBERT JR J 30COPIES MAILEDU5/29/08
D
-------------------------------------------------------------------
6/17/2008 COMMONWEALTH'S ANSWER TO PETITIONER'S RULE TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/04/2008 ORDER OF COURT - IN RE: MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY - DATED JULY
31, 2008 - UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO COMPEL
DISCOVERY THE COMMONWEALTH'S ANSWER THERETO CONSIDERATION OF THE
BRIEFS FILED BY THE PARTIES AND AFTER ARGUMENT IT IS HEREBY
- P„YS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 2
Civil Case Print
2006-02411 SMITH ELIZABETH L (vs) SMITH DANIEL J
Reference No... Filed......... 4/28/2006
Case Tyyppe .. COMPLAINT - CUSTODY
... Time.........: 2:16
Judgment. ..
- .00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
--------- --- Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.:
Hiqher Crt 2.:
ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THE MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY IS DENIED
BY THE OURT M L EBERT JR J
M
COPIES MAILED 8/4
8/13/2008 ---------------------------------------
MOTION FOR EXPEDITED CUSTODY HEARING - ----------------------------
BY MARY A ETTER DISSINGER
ATTY FOR PETITIONER
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
********************************************************************************
* Escrow Information
* Fees & Debits Beq? Bal Pymts/Ad? End Bal
******************************** ******** ****** *******************************
CUSTODY AGMT 85.00 85.00 .00
TAX ON AGMT .50 .50 .00
SETTLEMENT 5.00 5.00 .00
AUTOMATION FEE 5.00 5.00 .00
JCP FEE 10.00 10.00 .00
CUSTODY FEE 5.20 5.20 .00
CUSTODY FEE-CO 1.30 1.30 .00
MODIFICATION CU 70.00 70.00 .00
--------------
182.00 ---------- ---
182.00 ---------
.00
*************************************** ************** ***************************
* End of Case Information
*************************************** ************** ***************************
to* CA-0P'y FROM RECORD
in T eo y WtWed, 9 hier my hand
Qlad N NW of said Court At WPAN, Pa.
`S As
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2006-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH
IN CUSTODY
DEFENDANT
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Tuesday, August 19, 2008 , 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, September 18, 2008 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. 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 pennanent 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. 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 FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
6S :C kd 6z ony ow
31-ii K,
Karen Reid BrambleM Esq.
Protbonotary
James D. McCullough, Esq.
Deputy Pwbonotary
Re: 1573 MDA 2008
E.L.S(n/k/a E. L. S)
V.
D.J.S
Dear :
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
e
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Middle District
September 4, 2008
100 Pine Street. Suite 400
Harrisbmm PA 17101
717-772-1294
-w superior. court. state pa us
Enclosed please find a copy of the docket for the above appeal that was recently filed in the
Superior Court. Kindly review the information on this docket and notify this office in writing if
you believe any corrections are required.
Appellant's counsel is also being sent a Docketing Statement, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 3517,
for completion and filing. Please note that Superior Court Dockets are available on the Internet
at the Web site address printed at the top of this page. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq.
Prothonotary
ALV
cc: Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
Court Reporter
Court Reporter
The Honorable Merle L. Ebert, Jr.
Judge
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
Carbon Copy Recipient List
Addressed To: Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esq.
Dissinger and Dissinger
28 North Thirty-Second Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Carbon Copied: Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
Bayley & Mangan
17 W South St
Carlisle, PA 17013
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Court Reporter
Court Reporter
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County
Courthouse, One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
The Honorable Merle L. Ebert, Jr.
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse, One Courthouse Sq
Carlisle, PA 17013
3014 - 10/99
10/1/99
9:40 AA
Appeal Docket Sheet
Docket Number: 1573 MDA 2008
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Page 1 of 2
September 4, 2008 Ash
E.L.S(n/k/a E. L. S)
v.
D.J.S
Initiating Document: Notice of Appeal
Case Status: Active
Case Processing Status: September 3, 2008
Journal Number:
Case Category: Domestic Relations
Awaiting Original Record
CaseType: CustodyNisitation
Consolidated Docket Nos.: Related Docket Nos.:
SCHEDULED EVENT
Next Event Type: Receive Docketing Statement Next Event Due Date: September 18, 2008
Next Event Type: Original Record Received Next Event Due Date: October 28, 2008
COUNSEL INFORMATION
Appellant
Pro Se:
IFP Status:
S., E.
Appoint Counsel Status:
No
Appellant Attorney Information:
Attorney: Dissinger, Mary A. Etter
Bar No.: 27736 Law Firm: Dissinger and Dissinger
Address: 28 North Thirty-Second Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone No.: (717)975-2840 Fax No.:
Receive Mail: Yes
E-Mail Address:
Receive E-Mail: No
Appellee
Pro Se:
IFP Status
S., D. J.
Appoint Counsel Status:
Appellee Attorney Information:
Attorney: Bayley, Mark F.
Bar No.: 87663
Address: 17 W South St
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone No.: (717)241-2446
Receive Mail: Yes
E-Mail Address:
Receive E-Mail: No
Law Firm: Bayley & Mangan
Fax No.: (717)241-2456
9/4/2008
3023
9:40 AA
Appeal Docket Sheet
Docket Number: 1573 MDA 2008
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
-SAIL
Page 2 of 2
September 4, 2008
FEE INFORMATION
Paid
Fee Date Fee Name Fee Amt Amount Receipt Number
8/29108 Notice of Appeal 60.00 60.00 2008SPRMD000768
TRIAL COURT/AGENCY INFORMATION
Court Below: Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas
County: Cumberland Division: Civil
Date of Order Appealed From: July 31, 2008 Judicial District: 9
Date Documents Received: September 3, 2008 Date Notice of Appeal Filed: August 29, 2008
Order Type: Order Entered OTN:
Judge: Ebert, Jr., Merle L.
Judge
Lower Court Docket No.: 06-2411
ORIGINAL RECORD CONTENTS
Original Record Item Filed Date Content/Description
Date of Remand of Record:
BRIEFS
DOCKET ENTRIES
Filed Date Docket Entry/Document Name Party Type Filed By
September 3, 2008 Notice of Appeal Filed
Appellant S., E.
September 4, 2008 Docketing Statement Exited (Domestic Relations)
Middle District Filing Office
914/2008 3023
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
--------------------------------------------
3014-10/99
10/1/99
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
(N.K.A. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
PLAINTIFF
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH
DEFENDANT
: NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
IN RE: APPEAL TO SUPERIOR COURT
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 8t' day of September, 2008, upon consideration of receipt
of the Notice from the Superior Court that an appeal has been taken in this case,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the Appellant is ordered
to file with this Court a concise statement of matters complained of on appeal no
later than September 29, 2008.
By the Court,
/Mary A. Etter Dissin9er, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
/Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
? Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
Z Lindsay Maclay, Esquire
Christin Mehrtens-Carlin, Esquire
Senior Assistant District Attorney
bas
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M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
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Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff/Petitioner
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant/Respondent
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF
IN RE: APPEAL TO SUPERIOR COURT
Pursuant to the Order of Court dated September 8, 2008, The
following is a concise statement of matters complained of on
appeal:
1. Plaintiff/Appellant filed a Motion for a Rule to Compel
Discovery to assist her in two matters: one being the
custody case at hand; the other to assist her in defending
herself against a finding of child sexual abuse scheduled
for hearing before the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Hearings and
Appeals, which at the time of filing the Motion no hearing
had been scheduled on either matter.
2. At argument it was explained that since then the hearing
before the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals has been scheduled
on October 15, 2008.
3. Plaintiff/Appellant sought from the Cumberland County
District Attorney videotapes and reports in their possession
that were delivered by the Children's Resource Center and
others who had seen the child and made reports regarding the
alleged sexual abuse by Plaintiff/Appellant and her now
husband.
4. The Cumberland County District Attorney's office is believed
to be in possession of polygraph tests and results as well
as physical evidence and results of tests conducted on the
physical evidence that may assist Plaintiff/Appellant in
clearing her name and that of her husband before the Bureau
of Hearings and Appeals and assist her in her quest for
custody of her children in this custody case.
5. In response to a Rule issued by this Court, the District
Attorney's office claimed that the information cannot be
divulged under the "Right to Know Law" at 65 P.S. § 67.101
and 67.708, and it would compromise an ongoing investigation
and even if the investigation were complete,
Plaintiff/Appellant was not entitled to any information
requested.
6. Briefs were submitted and argument conducted.
7. Plaintiff/Appellant's brief argues for discovery under
Pa.R.C.P. 1915.5 seeking an Order of Court to allow
discovery to proceed based upon the explanatory notes
following the statute that discovery "should be freely given
where it is essential to a just disposition of the matter."
8. Plaintiff/Appellant's brief argues for discovery in that it
will allow the Court to decide inevitable issues of
credibility, claiming recorded data is more reliable than
the interpretation or the memory of an examiner - the Court
is the finder of facts, not the reporter.
9. Plaintiff/Appellant hired an expert to review the video
tapes and assist her in preparing her custody case and
defending against the allegations of sexual abuse, but
without the tapes, the expert cannot assist her.
10. Plaintiff/Appellant questions in her brief the neutrality
and trustworthiness of the interviews conducted of the
child.
11. The District Attorney's office asserts the "Right to Know
Act" prevents Plaintiff/Appellant from obtaining the
information sought.
12. Plaintiff/Appellant did not seek the information under the
"Right to Know Act."
13. The District Attorney's office has presented no case to
substantiate their position that Petitioner herein is not
entitled to the information under Pa. Rule 1915.5(c).
14. At argument, Plaintiff's counsel pointed out that under the
District Attorney's theory, any document provided to the
District Attorney under any theory would bar a party for
disclosing it in discovery and would result in abuse of the
intention of the Act.
15. The "Right to Know" is not applicable to discovery under Ben
v. Schwartz, 556 Pa.475, 729 A.2d 547 (1999) and Berkvheiser
v. A-Plus Investigations Inc. 936 A.2d 1117, 2007 PA Super
336 (2007).
16. The District Attorney should have been required to turn ove
all information requested by Plaintiff/Appellant.
Respectfully Submitted:
DISSINGER & DISSINGER
Mary A. E ter Dissinger
Attorney for Petitioner
Supreme Court ID 27736
28 N. 32" Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717)975-2840
(717) 975-3924 - fax
Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
document upon the attorney for Defendant, and the Cumberland
County District Attorney's Office, by First Class United States
mail addressed as follows:
The Honorable Merle L. Ebert, Jr.
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
AND
Lindsay Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
AND
Cumberland County District Attorney
1 Courthouse Square
Suite 202
Carlisle, PA 17013
ate :
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
Plaintiff
VS.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant
MARGO E. LALLY,
Plaintiff
vs.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:2006-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
RICHARD E. LALLY, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. :2008-3092 CIVIL ACTION LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH, and : IN CUSTODY
ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Defendants
MOTION BY DANIEL SMITH
TO ALTER RECOMMENDED ORDER PENDING A HEARING
AND NOW, comes Daniel Smith (hereafter "Father"), by and through his attorney, Mark
F. Bayley, and in support of the within motion avers as follows:
1. The Honorable M. L. Ebert, Jr. is assigned to the above dockets.
2. Elizabeth Smith (n.k.a. Elizabeth Shunk) (hereafter "Mother") and her husband,
Gary Shunk, are currently indicated by Cumberland County Children and Youth Services for
sexual abuse relating to one of the children involved, Lydia Smith (D.O.B. April 1, 2003); the
other child involved is Asher Smith (D.O.B. December 24, 1998).
3. By Order dated February 26, 2008 under juvenile docket 128-2007, the Honorable
M. L. Ebert, Jr., adopted a recommendation stating that, with regard to Mother, "there not be
visitation at this time. Before visitation would be granted either in this juvenile case or in a
custody case, it would appear appropriate to receive guidance from the investigating police
officer and counselor for the children."
4. Mother and Margo Lally (hereafter "Maternal Grandmother") subsequently filed
custody complaints.
5. A conciliation was held on March 25, 2008 which resulted in a stipulated Order;
with regard to Mother, said Order ratified the February 26, 2008 Juvenile Order; regarding
Maternal Grandmother, paragraph 4 states:
The parties shall make arrangements for the Children to participate in
counseling ... for the purpose of assessing the Children's readiness and
well-being in reestablishing contact between the Children and the maternal
Grandmother. In the event the counselor determines that the Children are
ready, the reunification process shall take place initially within the
counseling process or as otherwise recommended by the counselor. The
parties shall follow the recommendations of the counselor with regard to
participation in counseling, either individually or with the Children by the
maternal Grandmother or the Father. The parties shall follow the
recommendations of the counselor with regard to the timing of
reunification ....
6. Dr. Kasey Shienvold has since been involved with counseling the children for the
above purposes (previous to Dr. Shienvold's involvement and up and through the present the
children have been seeing another therapist, Michael Zug).
7. Richard Lally (hereafter "Maternal Grandfather"), who resides in Idaho, filed a
custody complaint on May 15, 2008 and, to undersigned counsel's knowledge, has not been
involved in relation to Dr. Shienvold's counseling sessions.
8. Dr. Shienvold provided a letter dated September 17, 2008 to counsel which
summarized his reunification efforts to date. (Attached as "Exhibit A").
9. Said letter states the current position of the children, i.e., "Asher and Lydia
continue to express an unwillingness to see [Maternal Grandmother]. They both independently
have described incidences of inappropriate behavior and discipline by [Maternal
Grandmother].... As a result, they each stated that they are afraid of their ... [Maternal
Grandmother]."
10. To date, no qualified professional has recommended the children, at least one
being a victim of sexual abuse, to be forced to have contact with Maternal Grandmother against
their will.
11. A conciliation took place on September 18, 2008, wherein agreement could not be
reached and a hearing was requested.
12. The conciliator indicated that her recommendation would include accelerating Dr.
Shienvold's counseling by forcing the children to have contact with Maternal Grandmother in
following counseling sessions regardless of their readiness to do so.
13. The conciliator indicated that her recommendation would include allowing
Maternal Grandfather to have immediate telephone and other miscellaneous contact even though
Maternal Grandfather has not participated or been addressed in the reunification counseling.
14. Both grandparents rely on 23 Pa.C.S. 5312 which allows grandparents partial
custody and/or visitation rights where "[the Court] finds that visitation rights or partial custody,
or both, would be in the best interest of the child and would not interfere with the parent-child
relationship."
15. The Court will not have an opportunity to make the above inquiry until after a
hearing is held.
16. Based upon the history of this matter, the abuse the children have suffered, and
the unwillingness of both children to have contact with Mother and her family at this time,
contact between grandparents and the children should not occur until grandparents have met their
burden pursuant to Section 5312.
17. Mother and Maternal Grandparents are presumably opposed to the within motion.
WHEREFORE, Father respectfully requests the Court to amend the recommended Order
to prevent any forced contact with grandparents until further Order of Court.
9 - t ?-c?
Respectfully submitted,
BA Y& GAN
Mark F. Bayley, Es ire
17 West South Str t
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 241-2446
Supreme Court I.D.#87663
VERIFICATION
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, states that he is the attorney for Daniel J. Smith in this action;
that he makes this affidavit as attorney because he has sufficient knowledge or information and
belief, based upon his investigation of the matters averred or denied in the foregoing document;
and that this statement is made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. §4904, relating to unsworn
falsification to authorities.
Date:
U\11-
Mark F. Bayle , Esquire
Attorney for Daniel J. Smith
Sep 11 Ud U4:35p
Riegler - Shienvold
s Associates
September 17, 2008
Attorney Lindsay Gingrich Maclay
Fax: 6574996
Attorney Mary Dissinger
Fax: 975-3924
Attorney Mark Bailey
Fax: 241-2456
Attorney Barbara Sample-Sullivan
Fax: 774-7059
Re: Lally v. Shunk v. Smith v. Lally
Dear Attorneys,
717-540-1416 p.2
Eltiot Riegler, Ph.D. (1948-1999)
Arnold 1. Shicnvold, Ph.D.
Melinda F.ash, MS
James Eash, LSW
Bonnic Howard, Ph.D.
Amy K. Keisling. ACSW. LCSW
Tracy Richards, QCSW. LCSW
Dyanne Sage, QCSW, LCSW
Jeffrey Pincus, Ph.D.
Ann 'ergales. ACSW, LCSW
Kasey Shienvold, Psy.D.
Shanen Turk-Geller, LCSW
John Sivley, LCSW, CAC
JanCL Frankel Staub, LCSW, QCSW
I am writing this letter in reference to my reunification work with these parties. I have on one
occasion met with Ms. Lally, Ms. Shunk and Mr. Smith. I have met on two separate occasions with
Asher and Lydia.
At the current time, Asher and Lydia continue to express an unwillingness to see Ms. Lally. They
both independently have described incidences of inappropriate behavior and discipline by Ms. Lally
and their mother, Ms. Shunk. As a result, they each stated that they are afraid of their mother and
maternal grandmother, However, there is some evidence which indicates that these children may
be hearing disparaging remarks about their mother and grandmother from Mr_ Smith and his wife.
As such, it is unclear the validity and credibility of the children's recollections.
It is my belief that if reunification is to occur, we can no longer wait for the children to express a
readiness to begin the process. In order for this process to be effective Mr. Smith and his wife have
to play a key role in encouraging the children's relationships with Ms. Lally. If this does not occur,
I fear that any attempts to reunify are $rtile.
If any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Kasey Shiemrold, Psy. D.
2151 Linglestown Road, Suite 200 - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110 - (717) 540-1313 - Fax: (717) 540-1416
www.riegiersiiienvold.com
??? ?1.0; A
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, attorney for Daniel J. Smith, do hereby certify that I
served a copy of the foregoing document upon the following by depositing same in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, addressed as follows:
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Mary A. Dissinger
28 North Thirty-Second Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay f?
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Dated: 1? 191 -0 ??
V?_
Mark F. Bayley, Es e
Attorney for Daniel J. Smith
C7
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ti
ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS
RICHARD E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
: NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 1St day of October, 2008, upon consideration of the Motion by
Father to Alter Recommended Order pending a Hearing,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the Motion is DENIED.
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire ,e aka ,? /6-0/-0?
Attorney for Mother Q
V I I I WV I -100 BDBZ
i
Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
bas
SEp 2 5 2000
ELIZABETH L. SMITH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. CIVIL ACTION LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendant
: IN CUSTODY
MARGO E. LALLY
Plaintiff
vs. 06-2411
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
RICHARD LALLY
Plaintiff
VS.
DANIEL J. SMITH and
ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Defendants
ORDER OF COURT
?o`C?
AND NOW, this I S{ day of 0 ? 1D 2008, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as follows:
4ZW- 9.'oa A A,\
1. A hearing is scheduled in Court Room No. -5 of the Cumberland County Court House
on the 4-day of -n 0VAdA,r , 2008, at which time testimony will be taken.
For purposes of the hearing, the Plaintiff/Petitioner on the Mother's Petition for Modification, the
maternal Grandmother's Complaint for Custody and the maternal Grandfather's Complaint for
Custody, shall be deemed to be the moving party on her or his respective Complaints/Petitions and
shall proceed initially with testimony. Counsel for the parties shall file with the Court and counsel for
all other parties a Memorandum setting forth each party's position on custody, a list of witnesses who
are expected to testify at the hearing, and a summary of the anticipated testimony of each witness.
These Memoranda shall be filed at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing date.
2. The Father shall provide Answers to the Mother's Interrogatories, which were initially
submitted to the Father in March 2008, within two (2) weeks of the date of this Order and shall provide
the authorizations to obtain medical information submitted by the Mother's counsel in March 2008
within ten (10) days of the date of this Order.
3. Pending the hearing and further Order of Court or agreement of the parties, within two (2)
weeks of the date of this Order, the maternal Grandmother and the Father, through counsel if
necessary, shall contact Kasey Shienvold to schedule a counseling session for the maternal
Grandmother and the Children during which, as recommended by the counselor, the maternal
Grandmother and the Children would be present at the beginning of the session and the Children would
continue separately for the remainder of the session with the counselor. At the initial session, the
maternal Grandmother and the Father shall schedule ongoing appointments for the Children to have
counseling with the maternal Grandmother present for at least a portion of the session on an ongoing
bi-weekly basis, unless recommended otherwise by the counselor. The maternal Grandmother and the
Father shall follow the recommendations of the counselor with respect to the ongoing reunification
counseling sessions to promote the needs and interests of the Children. As recommended by the
counselor, the initial session shall be scheduled for one and one-half hours. The maternal
Grandmother and the Father shall equally share all costs of counseling for the sessions scheduled under
this provision which are not covered by insurance. Both parties shall schedule all sessions in good
faith, shall proceed expeditiously to initiate and maintain the counseling process and shall support and
encourage the Children in achieving the goals of the counseling as recommended by the counselor.
4. Pending the hearing and further Order of Court or agreement of the parties, the maternal
Grandfather shall be entitled to contact the Children by mail and by telephone one (1) time per week.
At the maternal Grandfather's option, the mail and telephone contact may occur through counseling
sessions if approved and recommended by the counselor in advance. The maternal Grandfather may
also have a period of contact with the Children over the Christmas holiday within the counseling
setting if approved and recommended by the counselor.
5. The communications between the maternal Grandmother and the Children and the maternal
Grandfather and the Children shall be limited to innocuous topics concerning the Children's interests,
activities and school, for example, and shall not include references to the custodial conflicts or any part
of the custodial situation, including the Mother's involvement.
6. No party to this proceeding shall do or say anything which may estrange the Children from
any other party, injure the opinion of the Children as to the other parties, or hamper the free and natural
development of the Children's love and respect for the other parties. All parties shall ensure that any
parties having contact with the Children comply with this provision. The purpose of this provision is
to protect the Children from the adult conflicts involved in this matter and to promote their emotional
well-being without placing them in this middle of the custodial disputes.
7. The maternal Grandfather's Complaint initially filed to Docket No. 2008-3092 shall be
consolidated with the previously filed claims in these custody proceedings docketed at No. 2006-2411.
BY THE COURT,
lv? I ?a
cc: Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire - Counsel for Mother
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire - Counsel for Fathers ?o- Oh a?
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire - Counsel for Maternal Grandmother
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire - Counsel for Maternal Grandfather
b3;c
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Plaintiff
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendant
MARGO E. LALLY
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
06-2411
vs.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
RICHARD LALLY
Defendants
Plaintiff
VS.
DANIEL J. SMITH and
ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Defendants
Prior Judge: M.L. Ebert, Jr.
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 DATE OF BIRTH CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
Asher Kylor Smith December 24, 1998 Father
Lydia Keran Lally Smith April 1, 2003 Father
2. A custody conciliation conference was held on September 18, 2008, with the following
individuals in attendance: the Mother, Elizabeth L. Shunk, formerly Smith, with her counsel, Mary A.
Etter Dissinger, Esquire, the Father, Daniel J. Smith, with his counsel, Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, the
maternal Grandmother, Margo Lally, with her counsel, Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire., and the
maternal Grandfather's counsel, Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire. The maternal Grandfather,
Richard Lally, resides in Idaho and participated in a portion of the conference by telephone.
3. There are currently three (3) outstanding Complaints/Petitions requiring resolution by the
Court.
4. Mother's Petition for Modification: Under this Court's Order dated June 27, 2006, the
Mother had temporary primary custody and the Father had substantial temporary partial custody
pending a custody evaluation. At that time, both parties sought primary physical custody of the
Children. In April, 2007, the Father reported suspected sexual abuse of the parties' daughter.
Following an investigation by Children and Youth Services on February 26, 2008, this Court entered
an Order adopting the recommendations of the Master following a Dependency proceeding in which
the Master recommended that the Children remain in the care and custody of the Father with no
visitation to the Mother. The proceedings on the alleged abuse have not progressed to a determination
or resolution. The Mother filed this Petition for Modification seeking contact with the Children. It
was clear that a hearing would be required following the conciliation conference on March 25, 2008.
However, the Mother's counsel requested the opportunity to complete discovery prior to the
scheduling of that hearing. The Mother has now filed this Motion for Expedited Hearing as no
response has been forthcoming from the Father on the Mother's Interrogatories and Request for
Medical Authorizations to enable the Mother to obtain information from the Child's medical providers.
The Mother seeks an expedited hearing, as her supervised visits with the Children initially
recommended by Children and Youth Services have been terminated by the Father. Therefore, the
Mother has had no contact with the Children for a substantial time and there is no prospect of a
resolution of the proceedings on the abuse issues within the near future. The Mother seeks primary
physical custody of the Children at this time based upon her belief that the Father is intentionally
alienating the Children from her and her family through the abuse allegations.
5. Maternal Grandmother's Complaint for Custody: The maternal Grandmother previously
filed a Complaint for Custody seeking partial physical custody of the Children as her contact with the
Children was effectively terminated when the Mother was no longer permitted to see the Children.
There have been no allegations of abuse by the maternal Grandmother. At the time of the March 25,
2008 hearing conference, the parties reached an agreement to address the Grandmother's request
through counseling to determine the Children's readiness. Through contact with the counselor, Kasey
Shienvold, by a prior letter and by telephone at the time of the conciliation conference, it was
recommended that the reunification between the Grandmother and the Children occur in the counseling
sessions, with the counselor further working with the Children immediately following the joint session.
The counselor raised a concern regarding the Father's influence on the Children with regard to the
success or failure of the reunification. The Grandmother expressed frustration that the Father has not
permitted her any contact with the Children for such a long period of time that it will get progressively
more difficult to reestablish the bond she had with the Children prior to the abuse allegations
concerning the Mother or the Mother's husband. There were never any allegations of inappropriate
behavior by the Grandmother in connection with the abuse investigation/proceedings. The maternal
Grandmother seeks to reestablish ongoing contact with the Children only as facilitated through and
recommended by Kasey Shienvold.
6. Maternal Grandfather's Complaint for Custody: The maternal Grandfather, who is no
longer married to the maternal Grandmother and resides in Idaho, seeks visitation with the Children
when he is in Pennsylvania and regular mail and telephone contact. The conference on the
Grandfather's Complaint was initially scheduled for July 16. However, the conference was
rescheduled to August 1 at the request of the Father's counsel due to a scheduling conflict. Just prior
to the conference on August 1, the Father's counsel advised that he was filing a challenge to the
Grandfather's standing and would not be appearing for the conference. Subsequently, the conciliator
was advised by the Grandfather's counsel that the challenge was later withdrawn and accordingly, the
Grandfather's Complaint for Custody was scheduled for conciliation at the same time as the previously
scheduled conference on the Mother's Petition for an Expedited Hearing. The Grandfather also
expressed serious concern about the length of time in which all contact with the Children has been
prevented and the effect that could have on the relationship between him and the Children if there is no
intervention. The maternal Grandfather would like to resume the contact that he had always had with
the Children prior to the abuse proceedings regarding the Mother and/or her husband. The Father sent
a letter to the Grandfather terminating all contact with the Children including communication by mail
and telephone, with which the Grandfather complied during the initial stages of the abuse investigation
to be cooperative. However, according to the Grandfather, when he attempted to restart his
communications with the Children after so much time had passed, the Father denied all contact. The
Grandfather indicated his agreement to initiating mail and telephone contact with the Children through
the counselor's office if deemed necessary or advisable.
7. The conciliator has contacted the Court to request the scheduling of the earliest available
hearing in this matter. Although it is anticipated that a hearing to address all of the outstanding issues
between all of the parties would require at least two (2) days, in an effort to move this matter forward,
it may be possible to schedule the separate Complaints of different parties within shorter periods of the
Court's available time. Given the extended delays that have occurred thus far and the fairly
transparent efforts by the Father to thwart an expeditious resolution of the outstanding
Complaints/Petitions, and the effect those factors necessarily have had and will continue to have on the
Children's family relationships and attachments, the conciliator recommends an Order in the form as
attached based upon telephone contact with the Children's counselor, Kasey Shienvold, during the
conference. It is expected that the Father may object to the recommendations, although not expressly
stated at the time of the conference. The maternal Grandfather's counsel requested that this most
recently filed related claim in these custody proceedings be consolidated into the existing Docket
Number at 2006-2411. The Mother, maternal Grandmother and maternal Grandfather concur with the
recommendations although it should be noted that the Mother had requested interim supervised contact
with the Children pending the hearing, which is not included in the attached recommended Order.
8. Information pertaining to the Court Room number and the presiding Judge are not included
in the attached Order for flexibility in the event Judge Ebert deems it advisable and appropriate to have
this case reassigned if scheduling requires.
Date Dawn S. Sunday, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff/Petitioner
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant/Respondent
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
MOTION FOR CONTEMPT AND AN AWARD OF COUNSEL FEES FOR
DEFENDANT'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT ORDER
DATED OCTOBER 1, 2008
And now comes Elizabeth Shunk by and through her attorney,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esq., of Dissinger & Dissinger, and
requests the Court to find Defendant, Daniel J. Smith, in
Contempt of Court and to award Plaintiff counsel fees, and by way
of further answer avers as follows:
1. Plaintiff is Elizabeth L. Shunk, natural mother of the two
(2) minor children of the parties.
2. Defendant is Daniel Smith, natural father of the two (2)
minor children of the parties.
3. The Honorable Judge Merle L. Ebert has ruled previously in
this matter, most recently by Order dated October 1, 2008.
4. Cumberland County Dockets #08-1718 and #08-3092, with regard
to the Maternal Grandmother and the Maternal Grandfather,
respectively, have been consolidated with the above
captioned matter between Elizabeth Shunk and Daniel Smith.
5. By way of Order of Court dated October 1, 2008, paragraph 2,
Defendant was directed to "provide Answers to Mother's
Interrogatories,...withing two (2) weeks of the date of this
Order and shall provide the authorizations to obtain medical
information... within ten (10) days of the date of this
Order." (See attached Exhibit "A")
6. As of the date of October 17, 2008, Defendant has not
provided the Answers to Plaintiff's Interrogatories, as he
was directed by Court Order to do.
7. As of the date of October 17, 2008, Defendant has not
provided the authorizations to obtain medical information to
Plaintiff's counsel, as he was directed by Court Order to
do.
8. Counsel for all parties, Mark Bayley, Esq., Barbara Sumple-
Sullivan, Esq., and Lindsay Maclay, Esq., have been notified
of Petitioner's intentions to file a Motion for Contempt
against Defendant, Daniel J. Smith, via fax transmission on
October 17, 2008.
9. Plaintiff has incurred attorneys fees in this case in an
amount exceeding $10,000.00 and incurred fees preparing
Interrogatories and a Request for Production of Documents to
which Defendant agreed to respond before they were prepared,
and Plaintiff has incurred all fees in preparing this
Motion.
10. Plaintiff requests counsel fees be awarded on her behalf in
the amount of $1,000.00, as a result of Defendant's refusal
to cooperate with a Court Order which has thus precipitated
the necessity of filing this Motion to gain Defendant's
compliance in providing information to which Plaintiff has a
right, and which Defendant agreed to provide.
WHEREFORE Plaintiff requests that Defendant, Daniel J. Smith
be found in Contempt of Court and an award of counsel fees be
granted to Plaintiff.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary A.'Etter Dissin
Attorney for Petitioner
Supreme Court ID #27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840
(717) 975-3924- fax
?Fn 2 5 2008
ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Plaintiff
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH
MARGO E. LALLY
Defendant
Plaintiff
vs.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
RICHARD LALLY
Plaintiff
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH and
ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
06-2411
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this l,opt- day of (?e 2008, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation 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 -1y Lt, day of 2008. at which time testimony will be taken.
For purposes of the hearing, the Plaint iff"Petitioner on the Mother's Petition for :Modification. the
maternal Grandmother's Complaint for Custody and the maternal Grandfather's Complaint for
Custody, shall be deemed to be the moving party on her or his respective Complaints/Petitions and
shall proceed initially with testimony. Counsel for the parties shall file Nyith the Court and counsel for
all other parties a Memorandum setting forth each party's position on custody, a list of witnesses who
are expected to testify at the hearing. and a summary of the anticipated testimony of each witness.
These Memoranda shall be filed at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing date.
2. The Father shall provide Answers to the Mother's Interrogatories, which were initially
submitted to the Father in March 2008, within two (2) weeks of the date of this Order and shall provide
the authorizations to obtain medical information submitted by the Mother's counsel in March 2008
within ten (10) days of the date of this Order.
EXHIBIT
9
A
3. Pending the hearing and further Order of Court or agreement of the parties, within two (2)
weeks of the date of this Order, the maternal Grandmother and the Father, through counsel if
necessary, shall _ contact Kasey Shienvold to schedule a counseling session for the maternal
Grandmother and the Children during which, as recommended by the counselor, the maternal
Grandmother and the Children would be present at the beginning of the session and the Children would
continue separately for the remainder of the session with the counselor. At the initial session, the
maternal Grandmother and the Father shall schedule ongoing appointments for the Children to have
counseling with the maternal Grandmother present for at least a portion of the session on an ongoing
bi-weekly basis, unless recommended otherwise by the counselor. The maternal Grandmother and the
Father shall follow the recommendations of the counselor with respect to the ongoing reunification
counseling sessions to promote the needs and interests of the Children. As recommended by the
counselor, the initial session shall be scheduled for one and one-half hours. The maternal
Grandmother and the Father shall equally share all costs of counseling for the sessions scheduled under
this provision which are not covered by insurance. Both parties shall schedule all sessions in good
faith, shall proceed expeditiously to initiate and maintain the counseling process and shall support and
encourage the Children in achieving the goals of the counseling as recommended by the counselor.
4. Pending the hearing and further Order of Court or agreement of the parties, the maternal
Grandfather shall be entitled to contact the Children by mail and by telephone one (1) time per week.
At the maternal Grandfather's option, the mail and telephone contact may occur through counseling
sessions if approved and recommended by the counselor in advance. The maternal Grandfather may
also have a period of contact with the Children over the Christmas holiday within the counseling
setting if approved and recommended by the counselor.
5. The communications between the maternal Grandmother and the Children and the maternal
Gtandfather and the Children shall be limited to innocuous topics concerning the Children's interests.
activities and school, for example, and shall not include references to the custodial conflicts or any part
of the custodial situation, including the Mother's involvement. "
6. No party to this proceeding shall do or say anything which may estrange the Children from
any other party, injure the opinion of the Children as to the other parties. or hamper the free and natural
development of the Children's love and respect for the other parties. All parties shall ensure that any
parties having contact with the Children comply with this provision. The purpose of this provision is
to protect the Children from the adult conflicts involved in this matter and to promote their emotional
well-being without placing them in this middle of the custodial disputes.
7. The maternal Grandfather's Complaint initially filed to Docket No. 2008-3092 shall be
consolidated with the previously filed claims in these custody proceedings docketed at No. 2006-2411.
BY THE COURT,
J.
cc: Mary A. Etter Dissinger. Esquire - Counsel for Mother
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire - Counsel for Father
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire - Counsel for Maternal Grandmother
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan. Esquire - Counsel for Maternal Grandfather
TmE COPY FROM RECORL
TOSU ny wheraat, !bare unto set ON fw"'
,d the seat of said Court z . ft
Elizabeth L. Smith,
(n.k.a. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Annette M. Walmer, hereby certify that on the date set
forth below I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
document upon the Mark Bayley, Esq., Barbara Sumple-Sullivan,
Esq., and Lindsay Maclay, Esq., by First Class United States mail
addressed as follows:
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
AND
Lindsay Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Date: October 22, 2008
Annette M. Walm
er
Legal Secretary
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
RICHARD E. LALLY, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
IN RE: PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR CONTEMPT
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 24th day of October, 2008, upon consideration of the Motion for
Contempt filed by the Plaintiff, Elizabeth L. Smith, n/k/a Elizabeth L. Shunk,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that:
1. A Rule is issued upon the Defendant, Daniel J. Smith, to show cause why the
relief requested should not be granted;
2. Defendant Daniel Smith will file an answer on or before November 7, 2008;
3. The Prothonotary is directed to forward said Answer to this Court
4. If no answer to the Rule to Show cause is filed by the required date, the relief
requested by Plaintiff shall be granted upon the Court's receipt of a Motion requesting
C C ^ i / WV Iis o oool
Rule be made Absolute. If Daniel J. Smith files an answer to this Rule to Show Cause,
the Court will determine if a hearing, status conference or further Order of Court is
required.
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
? Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
? Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
? Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
Sean Shultz, Esquire, GAL
bas
Co ? is Mn lCCL
ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS
RICHARD E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 23d day of October, 2008, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED
AND DIRECTED a status conference shall be held on Monday, November 10, 2008, at
9:30 a.m. in Chambers of Courtroom No. 5 of the Cumberland County Courthouse,
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
VINNAIASNINII
19 '6 WV ?Z 100 BDOZ
alll JO
,/ark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
/Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
/Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
/Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
'Sean Shultz, Esquire, GAL
bas
CIP'pliES m.12cLL
I
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS. :2006-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH, : IN CUSTODY
Defendant
MARGO E. LALLY,
Plaintiff
VS.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
RICHARD E. LALLY, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS. :2008-3092 CIVIL ACTION LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH, and : IN CUSTODY
ELIZABETH L. SMITH
Defendants
DANIEL SMITH'S ANSWER TO ELIZABETH SMITH'S
MOTION FOR CONTEMPT AND AWARD OF COUNSEL FEES FOR DEFENDANT'S
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT ORDER DATED OCTOBER 1, 2008
AND NOW, comes Daniel Smith, by and through his attorney, Mark F. Bayley, and in
response to Elizabeth Smith's above motion, and the Rule to Show Cause entered October 24,
2008, avers as follows:
1. The Honorable M. L. Ebert, Jr., is involved with the above matter and, by Order
dated October 24, 2008, has directed the Prothonotary to forward the within pleading directly to
the Court.
2. On October 22, 2008 Daniel Smith responded to Elizabeth Smith's discovery
requests pursuant to Order dated October 1, 2008.
3. Mr. Smith's responses were delayed by a few days due to Undersigned Counsel's
involvement with a week long criminal trial in the beginning of October.
4. Ms. Smith has not been prejudiced by the minor delay.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that Plaintiffs motion be denied.
Respectfully submitted,
BAYLEY & MANGAN
Date: I U z 6
I
Mark F. Bayley, squire
17 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 241-2446
Supreme Court ID # 87663
VERIFICATION
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, states that he is the attorney for the Defendant in this action;
that he makes this affidavit as attorney because he has sufficient knowledge or information and
belief, based upon his investigation of the matters averred or denied in the foregoing document;
and that this statement is made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. Pa. C.S. §4904, relating to
unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: ULJ
I LJ v Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, attorney for Daniel J. Smith, do hereby certify that I served a
copy of the foregoing document upon the following by depositing same in the United States
mail, postage prepaid, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, addressed as follows:
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Mary A. Dissinger
28 North Thirty-Second Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Daniel J. Smith
Dated: ` v
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11
ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS
RICHARD E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
: NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this P day of November, 2008, upon consideration of the Petitioner
Elizabeth Skunk's Motion for Contempt and Award of Counsel Fees and Respondent
Daniel Smith's Answer thereto,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that based on the facts presented,
sanctions are not warranted at this time and accordingly, Petitioner's Motion for
Contempt and Award of Counsel Fees is DENIED.
By the Court,
?*,
?-4
y
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
0* tl i sl?.%-
0 S : I «d £- AON $00l
v
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
?/ Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
J/Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
indsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
bas
Q-T ( les rrl?7 L LL
,//31 M
a -a '//
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
C
--------------------------------------------
1013-lo/99
10/1/99
Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq.
Prothonotary
James D. McCullough, Esq.
Deputy Prothonotary
-? w
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Middle District
November 12, 2008
RE: S., E. v. S., D.
No. 1573 MDA 2008
Trial Court Docket Number: 06-2411
Dear:
100 Pine Street. Suite 400
Harrisbure. PA 17101
717-772-1294
www. superior. court, state.pa.us
Enclosed please find a certified copy of an order dated November 12, 2008 entered in
the above-captioned matter.
Very truly yours,
6e?-. 4444:??
James D. McCullough, Esq.
Deputy Prothonotary
VSL
cc: Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esq.
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
No.: 1573 MDA 2008
Carbon Copy Recipient List
Addressed To: The Honorable Merle L. Ebert, Jr.
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse, One Courthouse Sq
Carlisle, PA 17013
Carbon Copied: Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
Bayley & Mangan
17 W South St
Carlisle, PA 17013
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esq.
Dissinger and Dissinger
28 North Thirty-Second Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
1013 -10/99
10/1/99
E.L.S. (n.k.a. E.L.S.) IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
V.
D.J.S. No. 1573 MDA 2008
ORDER
The trial court shall complete its opinion and transmit the record to
this Court by November 26, 2008.
Per Curiam
Date: November 12. 2008
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
Attest: NOV 12 .2008
.
Deputy Prothonotary " -
Superior Court of PA - Middle District
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS
RICHARD E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 12th day of November, 2008, after status conference with
counsel on November 10, 2008,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the parties are hereby advised
that this Court has been attached for a medical malpractice civil trial beginning
November 17, 2008. At the present time, the parties are indicating that the trial could
last 7 - 10 days. If this is the case, the hearing in the above captioned matter will be
continued until December 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom No. 5.
2. At this hearing, Dr. Kasey Shienvold will be the first witness called in the case.
3. Dr. Richard E. Lally, will be allowed to testify as an expert in the field of
emergency room treatment. Obviously, given Dr. Lally's status as a party to this action,
the weight of his testimony will be left to the discretion of the Court.
4. Given the complexity and the number of parties involved in this matter, on or
before November 24, 2008, each party will submit a proposed custody/visitation order.
The orders shall reasonably consider some regular visitation with the grandparents and
initially some supervised visitation with the mother.
5. In regard to the interrogatories filed by Elizabeth Shunk, pursuant to
Pa.R.C.P. 1915.5 (c), Daniel Smith shall provide answers only to the following:
Interrogatory 3. The last address prior to his residence at 1513 Market
Street, Camp Hill, and the duration.
Interrogatory 4. The name and address of the landlord of your last
residence prior to 1513 Market Street, Camp Hill.
Interrogatory 5. The name and address of your current employer and your
previous employer if you have not been employed by the same person/company for the
past 2 years.
Interrogatory 16. Father shall provide the name his wife has used since
January 1, 2003 and her date of birth.
Interrogatory 19. Father shall provide the date he began covering his
children with his health insurance policy.
Interrogatory 22. Father shall answer this interrogatory.
Interrogatory 36. Father shall provide written authorization for Mother to
obtain the child's school and daycare records.
Interrogatory 37. Father shall provide written authorization for Mother to
obtain the child's school and daycare records.
By the Court,
?k-? ?-a\
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather ?-.
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
bas
5
8s :11 wv Z i J OM OZ
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff, : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
V. : DOCKET NO. 06-2411
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant.
MOTION TO QUASH SUBPOENA
AND NOW, comes Michael Zug and Pinnacle Health Psychological Associates,
by and through their legal counsel, to petition that this Honorable Court quash two (2)
subpoenas issued to Michael Zug and in support thereof aver as follows:
1. The movants in this matter are Michael Zug, a Pennsylvania licensed counselor
(hereinafter referred to as "Zug") and Pinnacle Health Psychological Associates
(hereinafter referred to as "Pinnacle Health"), a mental health provider, which is a
component of the Pinnacle Health System having a principal office at 409 South
Second Street, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
2. At all times material hereto, Zug and Pinnacle Health provided mental and
emotional health services to a minor child of the parties by, through and under,
the direct supervision of a Pennsylvania licensed psychologist.
3. By facsimile transmission dated November 20, 2008, there was forwarded to Zug
and Pinnacle Health a Subpoena issued by Plaintiff seeking the testimony of Zug
1
regarding mental and emotional health care rendered to Plaintiff's and
Defendant's minor child. A copy of the Subpoena is attached hereto as Exhibit
"A." There was also forwarded a Subpoena to Mr. Zug issued by Defendant. A
copy of the Subpoena is attached here as Exhibit "B."'
4. At all times material hereto, Mr. Zug has acted under the supervision and
direction of a Pennsylvania licensed psychologist in rendering mental and
emotional health care treatment to the minor.
5. Communications between a patient and his or her mental health care provider
are privileged from disclosure in response to a subpoena pursuant to both
Pennsylvania and Federal law, to wit:
a. Confidential communications between mental health providers and their
patients are privileged from disclosure pursuant to the statutory privilege
attached to confidential communications with psychiatrists and
psychologists set forth at 42 Pa.C.S.A. §5944. The statute provides that
such privilege is the same as that which attaches to an attorney and his or
her client. Such privilege further extends to mental health professionals
acting under the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
b. The Federal Privacy Rule issued pursuant to the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act prohibits the release of psychotherapy
notes in response to a subpoena. 45 C.F.R. §164.508(a)(2).
'Counsel for the parties have advised that the November 24, 2008, hearing has been rescheduled
to December 1, 2008.
2
6. Pinnacle Health understands that the testimony is sought in litigation involving
child custody which disclosure of information poses a particular risk of harm to
the minor in that the confidential communications between the minor and her
treatment providers will be exposed and used as part of an adverse proceeding
between their parents. Such information, once disclosed to the litigants, may be
used by one or both of the litigants against the minor and each other and will
irreparably harm the trust and confidence reposed by the child in her mental
health providers.
7. The minor, being approximately five years of age, is in need of the appointment
of a guardian ad litem to protect her interests in maintaining the confidential
psychotherapeutic information regarding the minor as her interests and those of
the litigants are not the same.
8. If the mental and emotional well being of the child is at issue in this custody
proceeding, the Court may appoint an independent psychotherapist to assess
the same under circumstances where there does not exist an expectation of
privacy on the part of the minor and where such assessment may be based
solely on the issues before the Court vis-a-vis child custody.
9. Movants understand that another psychologist has already been engaged to
address reunification between maternal grandparents and the child or children
and Zug has not evaluated the same nor is he able to address the same.
10. Pinnacle Health's role is solely to provide for the care and treatment of the minor
with the protections of privacy afforded by Federal and State law to foster such
care.
11. To require Mr. Zug to testify will have a chilling effect upon Mr. Zug, Pinnacle
Health and other mental health providers faced with litigation subpoenas
involving children who have reposed trust and confidence in their
communications with mental health professionals.
12. Parents locked in litigation between one another should not be permitted to
access confidential psychotherapeutic records of their children where parents not
engaged in such litigation are not permitted by law to have access to the same.
13. The minor affected by this action is entitled to the full protection of the law since
her interests are contrary to that of the litigants in the attempt by one the litigants
to access the minor's confidential psychotherapeutic communications.
14. A hearing or argument is not requested.
15. Discovery is not necessary.
WHEREFORE, Pinnacle Health Psychological Associates and Michael Zug
respectfully request that this Honorable Court enter an Order quashing the subpoenas
issued by Plaintiff, Elizabeth L. Smith and by Defendant, Daniel J. Smith to Michael
Zug. Respectfully submitted,
Richard C. Seneca, Esquire
PA Supreme Court I.D. No. 49807
564 Old York Road
Etters, PA 17319
(717) 932-0465
Attorney for Michael Zug and
Pinnacle Health Psychological Associates
4
e7
SY
Y
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith;
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
vs.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
$ U B POE K A
To: Michael Zug
1. You are ordered by the court to come to Cumberland County Courthouse,
Courtroom #5
(Specify courtroom or other place)
at 1 Courthouse 9auara, Carlisle-, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, on
November 24. 2008 at 9:00 o'clock, A. M., to testify on
behalf of, Elizabeth L. (Smith)_3hunk, Plaintiff
in the above case, and to remain until excused.
2. And bring with you the following:
If you fail to attend or to produce the documents or things required by this
subpoena, you may be subject to the sanctions authorized by Rule 234.5 of the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, including but not limited to costs, attorney fees
and imprisonment.
ISSUED BY PARTY/COUNSEL IN COMPLIANCE WITH Pa.R.C.P. No. 234.2(a)
NAME: Marv A. Etter Dissin er, EscJ.
ADDRESS: 28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill. PA 17011
TELEPHONE: (717)975-2840
BY THE COURT:
li-.f Z
1
Z
SUPREME CO/URRT?JID# 27736 Pr/oath notary, Civil Divisio
DATE ?r v ti
/
Seal of the Court j d / Deputy
OFFICIAL NOTE: This form of subpoena shall be used whenever a subpoena is issuable, including
hearings in connection with depositions and before arbitrators, masters, commissioners, etc.
in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. No. 234.1. If subpoena for production of documents, records or
things is desired, complete paragraph 2. EXHIBIT "A"
ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
Plaintiff
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant
MARGO E. LALLY,
plaintiff
vs.
ELIZABETH L. SIIUNK, and
DANIEL J_ SMITH
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
'2006-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
: IN CUSTODY
RICHARD E. LALLY, : IN TUC COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
. Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS. :2008-3092 CIVIL ACTION LAW
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of
DANIFL 1. SMITT-L and ; ofCourt dated October 1, 2008)
ELIZABETH L. SMITII : IN CUSTODY
Defendants
To: Michael Zug
205 S. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17105
1. L
1. You are ordered by the Court to come to Cumberland County Courthouse, Courtroom #5 at 1
Courthouse Square, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania on November 24, 2008 at
9:00 a.m., to testify at the request of Daniel J_ Smith
2. And bring with you the following: N/A
If you fail to attend or to produce the documents or things required by this subpoena, you may be
subject to the sanctions authorized by Rnle 234.5 of the Pennsylvania Ruiz of Civil Procedure,
including, but not limited to, costs, attorney foes and imprisonment.
REQUESTED BY A PARTY/ATTORNEY IN COMPLIANCE WITH Pa.RC.P. No. 234.2(a):
Mark Bayley, Esquire
17 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
717.241-2446
Supreme Court ID # 87663
BY TH4OMT,
oil Divi
Date:
Seal of th
e Court
official Note: This form of subpoena shalt be used whonovca a subpoena is imn able, including hearings, in
connection with depositions aW bcf= arbitrators, master, conmiissioncrs, etc. in compliance with NLA.C.P. No.
234.1. If a subpoena for pmduction of documents, records or things is desired, complao paragniph 2.
EXHIBIT "B"
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the attached Motion to Quash Subpoena was
served upon the following person by depositing the same in the U.S. Mail, First Class,
postage prepaid, on November 21, 2008, at Etters, Pennsylvania:
Mark Bayley, Esquire
17 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire
28 North 32"d Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070-1931
Sean Michael Shultz, Esquire
Knight & Associates, P.C.
11 Roadway Drive, Suite B
Carlisle, PA 17015
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay
Daley Zucker Meilton Minor & Gingrich LLC
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Richard C. Seneca, Esquire
Tj
Vi I
ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
(N.K.A. Elizabeth L. Shunk)
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
IN RE: OPINION PURSUANT TO PA.R.A.P. 1925
Ebert, J., November 25, 2008 -
Procedural History
This case began with the Mother, Elizabeth L. Smith, Appellant herein, filing a
Petition for Modification of Custody on March 7, 2008. The basis for the request for
modification of custody was that Daniel J. Smith, the Father of L.S., the child in
question, and Plaintiff's former husband, refused to return L.S. to Mother as a result of
allegations of sexual abuse. On May 19, 2008, Appellant filed Motion for Rule to
Compel Discovery which requested that a Rule be issued upon the District Attorney's
Office to show cause "why the investigation should not be deemed concluded and the
video tapes provided to the District Attorney's Office regarding L. S. and all other reports
in their possession pertaining to L. S. whether generated in house by the District
Attorney's Office or provide[d] sic to them from another source be provided to petitioner
herein."
On May 28, 2008, the Court issued a Rule upon the District Attorney to show
cause why the requested discovery should not be provided. The District Attorney's
Office filed an Answer to the Rule with New Matter on June 17, 2008. Both parties then
filed briefs and after argument the Court denied the Motion to Compel Discovery on
July 31, 2008. Appellant then filed her notice of Appeal to the Superior Court on
August 29, 2008.
Factual Summary
On April 21, 2007, a report was received by Cumberland County Children and
Youth Services from the ChildLine Abuse Reporting Systems that L.S. (date of birth:
4/01/03), the daughter of Appellant, may have been sexually abused. Cumberland
County Children and Youth Services immediately began the required civil investigation.
The matter was also referred to both the Cumberland County District Attorney and the
Upper Allen Township Police Department who began official criminal investigations on
or about April 25, 2007. During the course of the criminal investigation, the child was
interviewed and video taped at the Children's Resource Center in Harrisburg. Police
reports relative to the investigation and polygraph reports of polygraphs given to the
Appellant and her current husband, Gary Shunk were prepared.
On October 10, 2007, Cumberland County Children and Youth completed its
child protective service investigation and filed Form CY48-6/95 with the Department of
Welfare. The report "indicated" that the Appellant was a perpetrator of sexual assault.
Being "indicated" the report was required to be maintained pursuant to the Child
Protective Services Law. 23 Pa.C.S.A. §6301 et. seq. Appellant then requested the
Department of Public Welfare to expunge the report of child abuse against her.
The Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families,
completed its review of Appellant's request to expunge on or about March 19, 2008, and
stated that they found the report to be accurate and that it would be maintained in their
records as originally reported. Subsequently, on March 25, 2008, the Appellant
requested a hearing before the Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare or his
designee. From a review of the records currently in the possession of Cumberland
County Children and Youth, it appears that that hearing is now scheduled for
January 14, 2009.
2
DISCUSSION
The issue presented here is whether criminal investigation materials in the hands
of the elected District Attorney of Cumberland County are required to be disclosed to a
party in a civil custody action. In briefing the issue, neither party has provided this Court
with any controlling case law.
Initially, we note that in custody cases, "There shall be no discovery unless
authorized by special order of court." Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.5(c). Both parties note that
the only reported case involving Rule 1915.5(c) is Ford v. Ford, 1 Pa. D.&C. 4t" 98
(1988) from the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County. While Appellant points out
that that case involved a request for a deposition and not disclosure of investigative
materials in the hands of a District Attorney, Judge O'Brien concluded that discovery in
custody proceedings is not presently permitted by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure.
This Court is not prepared to go quite that far. To do so would totally negate the
phrase in the rule "unless authorized by special order of court" which obviously
contemplates that allowing discovery is a matter within the discretion of the Court. In
other types of civil cases involving a demand for discovery, it has often been said that
"discovery matters are within the discretion of the trial court and the Appellate Court
employs an abuse of discretion standard of review." Luckett v. Blaine, 850 A.2d 811
(Pa. Cmwlth. 2004).
In denying the Appellant's request for discovery, this Court takes into account
that the District Attorney of a county is by law designated "the Chief Law Enforcement
Officer for the County in which he is elected." 71 Pa.C.S.A. §732-206(a). Accordingly,
he alone can determine when to initiate a criminal investigation, the scope of the
investigation, what evidence to collect during the investigation and when and if any
3
criminal charges will be filed against any person. The Appellant in her Motion for Rule
to Compel Discovery requests that this Court issue a Rule to Show Cause upon the
District Attorney why his investigation should not be deemed concluded. Such a
request is beyond the constitutional powers of this Court.
An examination of the information included in the ChildLine report, indicate that
criminal charges could be filed at minimum for aggravated indecent assault of a child, a
felony of the first degree, 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3125. Given the fact that the child in question
is currently only 5 years old, the statute of limitations for this offense will not expire until
April 1, 2053. 42 Pa.C.S.A. §5552(c) (3). The Appellant herself states in her brief that
the child was of such tender years that "she was barely verbal." This being the case, it
is not unusual for a District Attorney to wait until the child is older and perhaps better
able to testify before completing his investigation or filing charges. Thus, the District
Attorney's position that the requested video tapes and investigatory reports are not
sought out of need to resolve a custody issue, but rather to formulate a defense to
allegations of sexual crimes cannot be dismissed out of hand.
The Court notes that at this stage, this matter remains a custody battle between
two parents. The District Attorney, an executive branch investigative agency, is not a
party to the custody action. If the District Attorney does not release the requested
materials to either party, no party will gain any advantage at the custody hearing.
Equally important is the fact that nothing in this decision would prohibit the petitioner
and her husband from testifying as to what he told the police or the polygraphist. Along
the same lines, Appellant's expert psychologist or psychiatrist could certainly opine that
children are often misled, have been tainted, or manipulated during custody
proceedings. In examining the Appellant's pre-hearing memorandum in the custody
4
matter currently scheduled to be heard before this Court on December 1, 2008, she lists
no less than 15 witnesses, at least three of which are experts.
In short, this court finds that the Appellant is not unduly hampered in the
presentation of evidence regarding what is in the best interest of her child. At this
stage, it would appear that Father will be unable to prove conclusively that the child was
molested. Therefore, each party comes before the Custody Court on equal footing. As
a matter of public policy, (1) given the general rule against discovery in custody cases,
(2) the important constitutional consideration of separation of powers between this Court
and the District Attorney's Office, and (3) the District Attorney's fundamentally sound
rationale for not disclosing these investigative materials, this Court did not abuse its
discretion in denying Appellant's request to compel.
Interestingly, Appellant relies on the case of John M. v. Paula T., 546 A.2d 1162
(Pa. Super. 1988), for the proposition that discovery in custody cases "should be freely
given where it is essential to a just disposition of the matter." Id. at 1166. Unfortunately,
for the Appellant, as pointed out by the District Attorney, this decision was overturned by
the Supreme Court at John M. v. Paula T., 571 A.2d 1380 (Pa. 1990). While the case is
not directly on point, in that it dealt with a request to compel an individual to submit to a
blood test to determine paternity, it does involve a family law case. The Court decided
the matter by balancing the respective interests of the parties to determine whether the
requesting party had a compelling need to justify the discovery request. The Supreme
Court weighed the evidentiary value of the blood test and considered other public policy
considerations. In John M. v. Paula T., the Court stated that while blood tests are useful
in establishing the likelihood of paternity they are not conclusive and that a public policy
existed which outweighed the value of the request for the blood test.
5
Here, the requested interview tapes and investigative reports mi ht assist the
Appellant, but on the other hand, if these materials were presented to the Court and the
Court concluded, as did the Children and Youth investigation and the Department of
Public Welfare, that the allegations of abuse were substantiated, it would most certainly
have a negative impact on Appellant's right to custody or visitation. Since these
evidentiary materials sought from the District Attorney cannot be used by either party,
the governmental interest of the District Attorney in properly conducting a child abuse
investigation outweighs the need for the Appellant to obtain these materials. This is
especially true in light of the fact that she has other evidence and numerous witnesses
available to establish that the best interest of the child will be served by granting some
custody or visitation to her, the natural mother.
The District Attorney maintains that the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Act, 65 P.S.
§ 66.1(2) prohibits the disclosure of these investigative materials. Of course, the
Appellant insists that she has not made this application under the Right-to-Know Act but
believes that Pa.R.C.P. 1915.5 (c) allowing discovery by special Order of Court in a
custody case trumps the prohibition of the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Act that
investigative materials shall not be disclosed. Again, neither party has provided any
controlling precedent directly on point.
The case of Amro v. Office of Attorney General, 783 A.2d 897 (Pa. Cmwlth.
2001), provides some guidance. In Amro v. Office of Attorney General, 783 A.2d 897
(Pa. Cmwlth. 2001), plaintiff, a physician, challenged the Office of the Attorney
General's denial of access to certain records. Specifically, the Attorney General refused
to disclose information that was part of a criminal investigation of the physician for drug
offenses. No charges were ever filed against the doctor. The court ruled in favor of the
Attorney General, holding that disclosure was not required because of the investigatory
6
exception to the Right-to-Know Act. The Office of the Attorney General was not
required to give the plaintiff access to the investigative records.
In Amro, the Appellant, Dr. Amro, much like the Appellant in the case at bar,
maintained that he was "an innocent victim of orchestrated entrapment attempts and
widespread misinformation." Id. at 898. Here, Appellant maintains that her former
husband falsely instigated the District Attorney's criminal investigation, and that just like
Amro she wants the investigative files to prove her "innocence." In these
circumstances, public policy favors protection of the criminal investigation files. The
Right-to-Know Act, 65 P.S. § 66.1(2) defines what are public records, and accordingly
what documents are subject to disclosure. This section of the statute expressly
excludes, however, "any report, communication or other paper, the publication of which
would disclose the institution, progress, or result of an investigation undertaken by an
agency in the performance of its official duties." Documents, reports, video, and other
information pertaining to a criminal investigation by the Office of the Attorney General or
the Office of the District Attorney would fall within this exception.
In Amro, the requested file was prepared by the Office of the Attorney General as
part of a "predecisional, internal deliberative process for determining whether to
prosecute Amro." Amro, 783 A.2d 900. The reports requested by Elizabeth Smith, in
the instant case, also appear to be part of the "predecisional, internal deliberative
process for determining whether to prosecute" her. Id at 900. Elizabeth Smith requests
video tapes and "all other reports" from the District Attorney's office pertaining to the
investigation of her daughter's alleged abuse. This request must be judged in light of
the general rule that there shall be no discovery in custody cases unless allowed by a
special order of court. Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.5(c).
7
In a proper exercise of its discretion, this Court concludes that no special order
authorizing discovery of these materials is warranted. This decision is based on the fact
(1) that the District Attorney has a legitimate reason for not disclosing the investigative
materials, (2) that the Appellant has no compelling need for these investigative
materials because she has adequate evidence and witnesses available to present at
her custody hearing, and (3) that the constitutionally required separation of powers
between this Court and the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the executive branch of
government must be observed.
Accordingly, the Appellant's Motion to Compel Discovery was properly denied.
By the Court,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
Lindsay Maclay, Esquire
Christin Mehrtens-Carlin, Esquire
Senior Assistant District Attorney
bas
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
8
C, SZ A0'N 8002
°:6
hoc i? : -'Hi ?O
r..
-a
CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER
PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C)
To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed:
Superior Court of PA
The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County,
the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and
correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required
by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the
proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter:
Elizabeth L. Smith
VS.
Daniel J. Smith
2006-2411 Civil
1573 MDA 2008
The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No. to 1 Y3 , and
attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and
identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the
number of pages comprising the document.
The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 1 i a(o o?
Cu is R. Lon , ro honotar
Regina Lebo
An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed. Please sign and date copy, thereby
acknowledging receipt of this record.
Date
Signature & Title
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ss:
County of Cumberland
In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
this 26th
I, Curtis R Long , Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said
County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a
full, true and correct copy of the whole record of the
case therein stated, wherein
Rl i zahpt-h r. Shi th
Plaintiff, and Dal3iel T Cmith
Defendant , as the same remains of record
before the said Court at No. 06-2411 of
Civil Term, A. D. 19 .
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
day of NovEm er A. D.,AR9008.
Prothonotary
1, Edgar B Bad] e, z President Judge of the Ni nth
Judicial District, composed of the County of Cumberland, do certify that
Curti-, R Long by whom the annexed record, certificate and
attestation were made and given, and who, in his own proper handwriting, thereunto subscribed his name
and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, was, at the time of so doing, and now is
Prothonotary in and for said County of Q gWDerl and - in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly commissioned and qualified to all of whose acts as such full faith
and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of judicature as elsewhere, and that the said record,
certificate and attestation are in due form of law and made b e ?er officer.
1 U ent fudge
e
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
ss:
County of Cumberland
I, Curtis R Long_ , Prothonotary bf the Court of Common Pleas in
and for the said County, do certify that the Honorable Edgar B Bayley
by whom the foregoing attestation was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was, at the time
of making thereof, and still is President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Orphan' Court and Court of
Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified; to all whose acts
as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given, as well in Courts of judicature as elsewhere.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this
26 da of N .D. *XZQU.
Prothonotary
Among the Records and Proceedings enrolled in the court of Common Pleas in and for the
county of 15Z C rnherland in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
to No. 200632?gp 47- Nvoll Term, 19 is contained the following:
COPY OF Appearance DOCKET ENTRY
Elizabeth L. Smith
VS.
Daniel J. Smith
**SEE CERTIFIED COPY OF THE DOCKET ENTRIES**
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PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page ]
Civil Case Print
2006-02411 SMITH ELIZABETH L (vs) SMITH DANIEL J
Reference No... Filed......... 4/28/2006
Case Type.....: COMPLAINT - CUSTODY Time.........:
i 2:16
Judgment..... .00 on Date
Execut 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 1573MDA2008
Higher Crt 2.:
********************************************************************************
General Index Attorney Info
SMITH ELIZABETH L PLAINTIFF BAKER DIANE S
1660 E CARACAS AVENUE
HERSHEY (DAUPHIN CO) PA 17033
SMITH DANIEL J DEFENDANT BAYLEY MARK F
307 E MAIN STREET
MECHANICSBURG PA 17055
********************************************************************************
* Date Entries
********************************************************************************
- - - - - - - - - - - - - FIRST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
a -? 4/28/2006 COMPLAINT - CUSTODY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
l 5/08/2006 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 05-08-06 - IN RE: PRE-HEARING CUSTODY
CONFERENCE ON 06-08-06 AT 2:30 PM AT MDJ MANLOVE 1901 STATE ST
CAMP HILL - FOR THE COURT BY MELISSA P GREEVY ATTY CUSTODY
CONCILIATOR - COPIED AND MAILED 05-08-06
-------------------------------------------------------------------
7 5/12/2006 ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE - CUSTODY COMPLAINT - BY KARA W HAGGERTY
ATTY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
?_Cf 6/27/2006 INTERIM ORDER OF COURT - 06-27-06 - IN RE: CUSTODY - M L EBERT JR
J - COPIES MAILED 06-28-062422
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1/"ay 3/07/2008 PETITION TO MODIFY CUSTODY BY MARY A ETTER DISSINGER ESQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3/10/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 3/7/08 IN RE: CUSTODY - PREHEARING CUSTODY
CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR 3/25/08 AT 9:00 AM 39 WEST MAIN STREET
MECHANICSBU G - BY DAWN S SUNDAY ESQ CUSTODY CONCILIATOR - COPIES
MAILED 3/1008
-------------------------------------------------------------------
o7J'?/ 4/01/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 4/1/08 IN RE: CUSTODY CONCILIATION REPORT - A
HEARING ON THE MOTHER'S PETITION FOR MODIFICATION SHALL BE
SCHEDULED AT THE REQUEST OF THE MOTHER AND HER COUNSEL AFTER
DISCOVERY HAS BEEN COMPLETED - ORDER OF THIS COURT DATED 2126/08
ADOPTING THE MASTER'S RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL CONTINUE IN EFFECT- BY
M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 4/2/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3a-L' 5/19/2008 MOTION FOR RULE TO COMPEL DISCOVERY - BY MARY A ETTER DISSINGER
ATTY FOR PETITIONER
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3p 5/28/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 5/28/08 IN RE: MOTION FOR RULE TO COMPEL
DISCOVERY - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT 1- A RULE
IS ISSUED UPON THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTY TO SHOW CAUSE
WHY THE RELIEF REQUESTED SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED 2- THE CUMBERLAND
COUNTY DISTIRICT ATTY WILL FILE AND ANSWER ON OR BEFORE 6/17 08
3- THE PROTHONOTARY IS DIRECTED TO FORWARD SAID ANSWER TO TH S
COURT 4- IF THE COMMONWEALTH DENIES ACCESS TO THE REQUESTED
MATERIALS ELIZABETH SHUNK AS THE MOVING PARTY SHALL FILE A BRIEF
WITH THE COURT SPECIFICALLY OUTLINING WHAT LEGAL AUTHORITY SHE HAS
TO COMPEL THE DISTRICT ATTY TO TURN OVER EVIDENCE OBTAINED IN A
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION FOR HE USE IN A CIVIL MATTER THIS BRIEF
SHALL BE FILED OF OR BEFORE 6 27ORE08 5'- THE COMMQNWEALTH SHALL
FILE A RESPONSE BRIEF ON OR B F 7/21/08 6- ARGUMENT ON THIS
MATTER SHALL BE HELD ON 7/31/08 AT 3:30 'PM IN CR 5 CUMBERLAND
COUNTY COURTHOUSE - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 5/29/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
411_,V-°6/17/2008 COMMONWEALTH'S ANSWER TO PETITIONER'S RULE TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
/ 8/04/2008 ORDER OF COURT - IN RE: MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY - DATED JULY
??'S 31, 2008 - UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO COMPEL
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page
Civil Case Print
2006-02411 SMITH ELIZABETH L (vs) SMITH DANIEL J
Reference No..: Filed........: 4/28/2006
Case Type.....: COMPLAINT - CUSTODY Time.........: 2:16
Judgment .00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 1573MDA2008
Higher Crt 2.:
DISCOVERY THE COMMONWEALTH'S ANSWER THERETO CONSIDERATION OF THE
BRIEFS FILED BY THE PARTIES AND AFTER ARGUMENT IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THE MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY IS DENIED
BY THE COURT M L EBERT JR J
COPIES MAILED 8/4/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
$3-71/8/13/2008 MOTION FOR EXPEDITED CUSTODY HEARING - BY MARY A ETTER DISSINGER
ATTY FOR PETITIONER
-------------------------------------------------------------------
'7& 8/29/2008 NO ORDER FOR TRANSCRIPT - BY MARY A ETTER DISSINGER ATTY FOR
PETITIONER
-------------------------------------------------------------------
77,g?j 8/29/2008 NOTICE OFPLFFEAL TO SUPERIOR COURT - BY MARY A ETTER DISSINGER
AT FOR
-------------------------------------------------------------------
?a 8/29/2008 HORDER EARINGF-CPREHEARI//NG9CUSTODYRCONFERENCEFSSCHEDULEDT FOR CUSTODY
9/18/08 AT
12:00 PM 39 WEST MAIN STREET MECHANICSBURG - BY DAWN S SUNDAY ESQ
CUSTODY CONCILIATOR - COPIES MAILED 8/29/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
9/05/2008 SUPERIOR-COURT-OF-PA-NOTICE OF APPEAL DOCKETING TO 41573 MDA 2008
----------------------------------------
g? 9/08/2008 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 9/8/08 - IN RE APPEAL TO SUPERIOR COURT -
UPON CONSIDERATION OF RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE FROM THE SUPERIOR
COURT THAT AN APPEAL HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THIS CASE - IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THE APPELLANT IS ORDERED TO FILE WITH T OF
S COMPLAIN NOILATERRTHANC9/29/085- BYMMNL EBERTTJRRJ - COPIESEMAILEDD OF
-------------------------------------------------------------------
?,? 7 y/ 9/12/2008 STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF IN RE: APPEAL TO SUPERIOR COURT
- BY MARY A ETTER DISSINGER ATTY FOR PETITIONER
-------------------------------------------------------------------
C 9/22/2008 HEARIINGB- BANMARKIEL FOROFATHERD ORDER PENDING A
-------------------------------------------------------------------
??3 10/01/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 10/1/08 IN RE: MOTION BY DANIEL SMITH TO ALTER
RECOMMENDED ORDER PENDING A HEARING - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND
DIRECTED THAT THE MOTION IS DENIED - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES
MAILED 10/1/08
----- ------- -------- --------------- ------------- ---------------
???_?? 7 10/01/2008 -REPORTOF-A - -HEARINGO//IS/SCHEDULED INSCR55 CUMBERLLANDICCOUNTYMARY
COURTHOUSE ON 11/24/08 AT 9:00 AM - THE MATERNAL GRANDFATHERS
COMPLAINT FILED TO DOCKET NO 08-3092 SHALL BE CONSOLIDATED WITH
THE PREVIOUSLY FILED CLAIMS IN THESE CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS DOCKETED
AT NO 06-2411 - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 10/1/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10/22/2008 TOTCOMPLYION HT ORDERAWARDATEDD OF BSYFOMARY ATETTERLURE
DISSINGER ATTY FOR PETITIONER
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10/24/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 10/24/08 IN RE: PLFFS MOTION FOR CONTEMPT - IT IS
HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT 1- A RULE IS ISSUED UPON THE
DEFT DANIEL J SMITH TO SHOW CAUSE WHY THE RELIEF REQUESTED SHOULD
NOT BE GRANTED 2- DEFT DANIEL SMITH WILL FILE AN ANSWER ON OR
BEFORE 11/7 08 3- THE PROTHONOTARY IS DIRECTED TO FORWARD SAID
ANSWER TO T IS COURT 4- IF NO ANSWER TO THE RULE TO SHOW CAUSE
IS FILED BY THE REQUIRED DATE THE RELIEF REQUESTED BY PLFF SHALL
BE GRANTED UPON THE COURTS RECEIPT OF A MOTION REQUESTING RULE BE
MADE ABSOLUTE - IF DANIEL J SMITH FILES AN ANSWER TO THIS RULE TO
SHOW CAUSE THE COURT WILL DETERMINE IF A HEARING STATUS CONFERENCE
OR FURTHER ORDER OF COURT IS REQUIRED - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES
MAILED 10/24/08
--------------------------------------------------------------------
?l? 10 10/24/2008 OR/10/08 ATU9:30 AM/IN/CHAMBERSTOFUCR50CUMBERLANDHCOUNTY HELD ON
11 COURTHOUSE - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 10/24/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary' s Office Page
Civil Case Print
2006-02411 SMITH ELIZABETH L (vs) SMITH DANIEL J
Reference No..: Filed........: 4/28/2006
Case Type ..... : COMPLAINT - CUSTODY Time.........: 2:16
Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Ass
Disposed igned: EBERT M L JR
Desc.: Jury Trial...
Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
--------- --- Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 1573MD 2008
Hiqher Crt 2.:
/a ;?_/,_?(a 10/29/2008 DANIEL SMITHS ANSWER TO ELIZABETH SMITHS
D OF COUNSEL FEES FOR DEFTS FAILURE MOTION FOR CONTEMPT AND
TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT
AWAR
ORDER DATED 10/1/08 -BY MARK F BAYLEY ATTY FOR DEFT
---------------
120-1,21
11/03/2008 RE: DANI
1/3/08 //
1
NAND AWARDEOFS
SWER TO
COUNSELNFEES FOREDEFTSETH
NTEMPT
C
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT ORDER DATED 10/1/08 - IT IS
CTS PRESENTED
HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT BASED O N THE FA
SANCTIONS ARE NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME AND ACCORDINGLY
PETITIONERS MOTION FOR CONTEMPT AND AWARD OF COUNSEL FEES IS
DENIED - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAIL
----------- ED 11/3/08
---------------------------
11/12/2008 -----------------------------
1/12/08 IN RE: CUSTODY
ORDER OF OURT - BY M L EBERT JR J -
??7 11/1
COPIES MAILED 08
-----------
---------------------------
3
/3D-1 11/13/2008 -----------------------------
SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA ORDER - THE TRIAL COURT SHALL
THE RECORD TO THIS COURT BY
I
3 T
COMPLETE ITS OPINION AND TRANSM
NOVEMBER 26, 2008 PER CURIAM
------
---------------------------
11/24/2008 ----------------------------------
MOTION TO QUASH SUBPOENA - BY RICHARD C SENECA ATTY FOR MICHAEL
ZUG AND PINNACLE HEALTH
---------
---------------------------
/3,?_Ijll 11/25/2008 -------------------------------
OPINION - DATED 11-25-08 - IN RE: OPINION PURSUANT TO P A R A P
COPIES MAILED 11-25-08
1925 - BY M L EBERT JR J -
-------
- ---------------------------
11/25/2008 -
-------------------------------
NOTICE OF DOCKET ENTRIES MAILED TO MARY A ETTER DISSINGER ESQ
MARK F BAYLEY ESQ BARBARA SUMPLE-SULLIVAN ESQ LINDSAY MACLAY ESQ
ADN CHRISTIN MEHRTENS-CARLIN ESQ
- - - - - - - - - - LAST ENTRY
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ii 'a
1 1 e ?-?rS
t ********** *** **************************************
e,- ****************************
/3 * ey+ra Pap
S Escrow Information
* Fees & Debits Beg Bal P*ymts/Ad?
*** *** End Bal
****************************
******************************** ******** ***
CUSTODY AGMT 85.00 85.00 .00
TAX ON AGMT .50 .50 .00
SETTLEMENT 5.00 5.00 .00
AUTOMATION FEE 5.00 5.00 .00
JCP FEE 10.00 10.00 .00
CUSTODY FEE 5.20 5.20 .00
CUSTODY FEE-CO 1.30 1.30 .00
MODIFICATION CU 70.00 70.00 .00
APPEAL HIGH CT 48.00 48.00 .00
MODIFICATION CU 70.00 70.00 .00
CONTEMPT CUSTOD 70.00 70.00 .00
SUBPOENA 30.00 30.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 18.00 18.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 21.00 21.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00 .00
SUBPOENA 3.00 3.00
------------ -- .00
----------
------------
469.00 469.00 .00
* End of Case Information
TRUE COPY HZ:CI-A "r?Z^RD
In Testimony whereof, I hc-re unto sM my hand
and the seal of said Court at Carlisle, Pa.
This ..... °..... day of...... ....., a?
Prothonotary
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
VS.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
VS.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
RESPONSE TO MOTION TO QUASH SUBPOENA
And now comes Elizabeth Shunk by and through her attorney,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esq., of Dissinger & Dissinger and avers
as follows:
1. Mr. Zug has been subpoenaed to testify as to dates of
service, not services rendered.
2. Mr. Zug is expected to testify as to communctions between
himself and the parent who arranged services.
3. Communication between the counselor and the parent of the
minor child are not privledged communiction as there was no
counseling done of the parent, Mr. Daniel Smith, and there
is no patient/ counselor privilege between them.
4. He can testify as to whether or not he had any contact with
Elizabeth Shunk, and his reasons for having no contact so
long as they do not relate to communications between him and
the minor child.
WHEREFORE it is respectfully requested that Michael Zug be
required to either appear or testify by telephone in regard to
communications between parents, or lack of communications between
parents of the minor child, and the dates of service provided.
Respectfully Submitted,
n
Mary A. ' Etter Dissinger
Attorney for Elizabeth Shunk
Supreme Court ID #27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840- telephone
(717) 975-3924- fax
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
VS.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
VS.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
document upon the Richard C. Seneca, Esq., Mark Bayley, Esq.,
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq., and Lindsay Maclay, Esq., by hand
delivery:
Richard C. Seneca, Esq.
564 Old York Road
Etters, PA 17319
AND
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
AND
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Date: November 25 -,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
-vElizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
VS.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
VS.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
MOTION FOR SANCTIONS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH COURT
ORDERS DATED OCTOBER 1, 2008 & NOVEMBER 12, 2008
And now comes Elizabeth Shunk by and through her attorney,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esq., of Dissinger & Dissinger, and
requests the Court to find Defendant, Daniel J. Smith, in
Contempt of Court and to implement Sanctions which this court
deems appropriate and by way of further explanation avers as
follows:
1. Plaintiff is Elizabeth L. Shunk, natural mother of the two
(2) minor children of the parties.
2. Defendant is Daniel Smith, natural father of the two (2)
minor children of the parties.
3. The Honorable Judge Merle L. Ebert has issued several Orders
in this matter, most recently by order dated November 12,
2008.
4. At the custody conference on March 25, 2008, Daniel J. Smith
agreed to provide Interrogatory responses and medical
authorizations to Elizabeth Smith's counsel.
5. Defendant, Daniel J. Smith, was served Interrogatories on
March 31 2008, requesting various items of information and
was provided with HIPAA authorizations and general releases
permitting Plaintiff to obtain medical records and school
and daycare information for the parties children - - all he
had to do was fill in the providers, which were not known by
Elizabeth Shunk and sign the authorizations.
6. By Order dated October 1, 2008, Defendant was directed to
"provide Answers to Mother's Interrogatories, ... within twol
(2) weeks of the date of this Order..." and to "provide the
authorizations to obtain medical information submitted by
the Mother's counsel in March 2008 with ten (10) days of the
date of this Order.". (See attached Exhibit "A")
7. On October 22, 2008, Elizabeth Shunk filed a Motion for
Contempt and An Award of Counsel Fees for Failure to Answer
the Interrogatories and for failure to provide
authorizations, which Motion was denied.
8. By Order dated November 12, 2008, Defendant was directed to
answer Plaintiff's Interrogatory questions 3, 4, 5, 6, 16,
19, 22, 36 and 37, which encompassed authorizations. (See
attached Exhibit "B")
9. By Certificate of Service dated November 14, 2008, Defendant
provided Interrogatory Responses Pursuant to November 12,
2008 Order of Court, but no authorizations. (See attached
Exhibit "C)
10. Defendant failed to comply with the Order dated November 12,
2008, because he failed to provide authorizations for
release of school and daycare records of the children to
Elizabeth Shunk.
11. Defendant has refused to comply with multiple Orders of this
Honorable Court.
12. Elizabeth Shunk believes it is important for the Court to
know how the children are doing in school and how they are
doing in daycare, as attendance and absences would be
helpful to the Court in determining the ultimate custodial
disposition, and as a parent whose legal custodial rights
have not been removed from her, she has a right to obtain
the information from the school and to know where her child
or children attend daycare and get school records.
13. Elizabeth Shunk has been billed by her attorney in excess ofl
$28,000.00 at this point in time.
14. A portion of those fees are attributable to efforts to
obtain information from Daniel Smith as to the children of
the parties.
15. The charges incurred by Elizabeth Shunk from attorney for
efforts to obtain this information amount to approximately
$750.00.
16. Counsel for all parties, Mark Bayley, Esq., Barbara Sumple-
Sullivan, Esq., and Lindsay Maclay, Esq., have bean notified
of Petitioner's intentions to file a Motion for S nctions
against Defendant, Daniel J. Smith, via fax trans ission on
Friday, November 21, 2008. It is expected that Attorney
Bayley will have objections to this Motion. It is expected
that Attorneys Sumple-Sullivan and Maclay will not object to
the filing of this Motion.
17. Trial is rescheduled from, November 24, 2008, to December 1,
2008.
WHEREFORE Plaintiff requests that Sanctions, as deemed
appropriate and necessary by this Honorable Court, be imposed on
Defendant, Daniel J. Smith, and requests that the matter either
be held open pending Elizabeth Shunk's ability to obtain the
records she has been requesting since March 2008, or that the
Court assume the refusal to permit Elizabeth Shunk to have the
information is an admission that the school and daycare records
contain information adverse to Daniel Smith's request for custody
of the children.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary A. Etter Dissinge
Attorney for Elizabeth Shunk
Supreme Court ID #27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840- telephone
(717) 975-3924- fax
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
VS.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
VS.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
document upon the Mark Bayley, Esq., Barbara Sumple-Sullivan,
Esq., and Lindsay Maclay, Esq., by hand delivery on December 1,
2008:
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
AND
Lindsay Maclay, Esq.
Date:12/1/2008
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS. :2006-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH, : IN CUSTODY
Defendant
MARGO E. LALLY,
Plaintiff
VS.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
RICHARD E. LALLY, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS. :2008-3092 CIVIL ACTION LAW
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of
DANIEL J. SMITH, and : of Court dated October 1, 2008)
ELIZABETH L. SMITH : IN CUSTODY
Defendants
DANIEL SMITH'S ANSWER TO ELIZABETH SHUNK'S MOTION FOR
SANCTIONS FILED ON OR AROUND NOVEMEMBER 26, 2008
AND NOW, comes Daniel Smith by and through his attorney, Mark F. Bayley,
and answers Elizabeth Shunk's latest motion as follows:
1. Petitioning Counsel alleges that Undersigned Counsel has not provided
executed authorizations to obtain medical information.
2. Undersigned Counsel recalls discussing this matter with Petitioning
Counsel either before or after the in-chambers conference held on November 10, 2008.
3. Undersigned Counsel indicated to Petitioning Counsel that the release
forms previously provided did not include recipient information; they were simply blank
authorizations.
4. Undersigned Counsel believes that is it reasonable that Mr. Smith know,
prior to signing a release, what the release is being used for.
5. Undersigned Counsel recalls requesting Petitioning Counsel to forward
properly completed releases.
6. Based on said conversation, Undersigned Counsel assumed that completed
releases would be forwarded; they have not been.
7. If Petitioning Counsel had a different impression from said conversation,
any miscommunication could have likely been resolved by Petitioning Counsel making
one phone call to Undersigned Counsel, which has not happened.
8. Additionally, Petitioning Counsel previously forwarded subpoenas several
weeks ago to various heath care providers; Undersigned Counsel wonders what value
releases have to Petitioning Counsel at this point and whether this motion is simply an
exercise in frivolity.
WHEREFORE, Daniel Smith respectfully requests the Court to dismiss Elizabeth
Shunk's latest motion for sanctions.
?l-T4?
Respectfully submitted,
BAYLEY & MANGAN
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
17 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 241-2446
Supreme Court I.D.#87663
VERIFICATION
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, states that he is the attorney for Daniel J. Smith in this
action; that he makes this affidavit as attorney because he has sufficient knowledge or
information and belief, based upon his investigation of the matters averred or denied in
the foregoing document; and that this statement is made subject to the penalties of 18
Pa.C.S. §4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: [ - ?- - (J:
Attorney for Daniel J. Smith
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mark F. Bayley, Esquire, attorney for Daniel J. Smith, do hereby certify that I
served a copy of the foregoing document upon the following by hand delivery:
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Mary A. Dissinger
28 North Thirty-Second Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
?D
Dated: LI_
Mark F. Bayley, Esqu'
Attorney for Daniel J. Smith
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH, /
DEFENDANTS NO. 06-2411 CIVIL ...///
RICHARD E. LALLY, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 4th day of December, 2008, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND
DIRECTED that the continuation of the custody hearing in this matter shall be held on
Monday, February 2, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom No. 5 of the Cumberland County
Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
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?Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
-, Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
./ Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. :
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V. :
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
RICHARD E. LALLY, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 29th day of December, 2008, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND
DIRECTED that Sean Shultz, Esquire shall be appointed Guardian Ad Litem for the
children in this matter. All parties are directed to cooperate with Attorney Shultz.
By the Court,
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M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
,/lark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
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/Aary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
/arbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
indsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
an Shultz, Esquire, GAL
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
VS.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
VS.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
MOTION TO PERMIT DISCOVERY
And now comes Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Counsel for Elizabeth
Shunk in the above matter requests to permit discovery and in
support of this Motion avers as follows:
1. The court has heard the testimony of Dr. Paula George, and
she has referenced reviewing videographic material in her
possession immediately prior to testifying.
2. Attached as exhibit A is a copy of a letter from Attorney
Seneca indicating that there are in fact three video
recordings in the possession of the Children's Resource
Center.
fl
3. The Children's Resource Center of Pinnacle Health Systems
declines to release the information because of their
"sensitive depictions."
4. Elizabeth Shunk and her counsel believe that it is necessary
to the presentation of her custody case and continuing
efforts to resume a custodial relationship with the children
that this information which has been testified to by one
physician be made available to other physicians so they may
determine whether or not the testimony of Dr. George can be
supported or not.
5. A copy of this motion has been provided to all counsel in
this case prior to the filing hereof, and Attorney Richard
Sen counsel for the Children's Resource Center agree's/
isagree's with/ has not responded to the motion; and
Attorney Sumple-Sulliva agree's disagree's with/ has not
responded to the Motion; Attorney Lindsay Macla ree's
disagree's with/ has not responde tI tion; Attorney
Bayley agree's/ disagree's ith/ has not responded o the
motion. -
6. Plaintiff, Elizabeth Shunk, requires this information for
review by her medical expert, and has no personal desire to
view these videos.
7. Attorney Lindsay Maclay does not require the video.
Wherefore it is respectfully requested that the Children's
Resource Center of Pinnacle Health Systems be directed to provide
copies of the recordings to Plaintiff's expert, Dr. Janet
Strausbaugh at 2675 Joppa Road, York, PA 17403 and to Dr. Richard
Lally at 11020 West Amity Road, Boise, Idaho 83709.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
Attorney for Petitioner
Supreme Court ID #27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840
(717) 975-3924- fax
RICHARD C. SENECA
ATTORNEY AT LAW
West Shore Office
564 Old York Road
Eters, PA 17319
(717) 932-0465
December 24, 2008
Facsimile: (717) 932-1319
E-mail: rseneca@senecalaw.com
Please repty to West Shore office
Richard J. Seneca
Legal Assistant
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire
Dissinger & Dissinger
28 North 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Re: Smith v. Smith
Dear Attorneys Dissinger and Bayley:
Harrisburg Office
Southgate Building
409 South Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 231-8244
Mark Bayley, Esquire
17 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
1 write in reply to a series of letters I received from Attorney Dissinger regarding the
above-captioned case.
The Pinnacle Health System issued an invoice to Attorney Dissinger in the amount of
$227.50 representing 2.5 hours of preparation time by Paula George, M.D. for the
December, 1, 2008, hearing in which I am informed that both of you issued a Subpoena
seeking Dr. George's testimony. Her fee for preparing for the case is $227.50. Since
both of you sought and obtained Dr. George's testimony at the hearing, each party is
obligated to pay % of her fee or $113.75. 1 ask that you each send to me a check in the
amount of $113.75 made payable to The Children's Resource Center.
Attorney Dssinger has also asked for a copy of any videos in the possession of The
Children's Resource Center. The Center records the genital examination of a child as
part of its clinical protocol. There are three such recordings.
Pinnacle Health will not release these recordings because of the sensitive nature of the
same. Dr. George has tested regarding her examination and we believe that this is
sufficient as opposed to releasing such sensitive depictions. As such, we would only
release the 'same in response to a Court order after we receive notice of the motion and
can appear in this action to object to the release of the videos at both the trial and
appellate levels. Should you choose to file a motion, please send a copy of the same to
me.
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire
Mark Bayley, Esquire
December 24, 2008
Page 2 of 2
Attorney Dissinger has also inquired as to whether Pinnacle Health will withdraw its
Motion to Quash the Subpoena issued to Mr. Michael Zug of Pinnacle Health
Psychological Associates. Attorney Dissinger advised that since she understood that
Mr. Zug discussed the case with Attorney Bayley that any confidentiality has been
waived. I respectfully disagree. It is Pinnacle Health's position that the privilege
belongs to the patient and not to the practitioner. This appears to be an issue for the
child's guardian ad litem unless, of course, the Court has otherwise ruled on the Motion
to Quash.
Attomey Dissinger inquired as to whether Pinnacle Health would issue to mother a bill
for the attendance of Ms. Shannon Cossaboom at the recent hearing. Pinnacle Health
will not issue an invoice to the mother. Attorney Dissinger had kindly agreed to allow
Ms. Cossaboom to testify by telephone. However, Attorney Bayley insisted upon her
attendance pursuant to the Subpoena which he issued. I understand that Ms.
Cossaboom did not testify at the hearing but remained on standby at the courthouse for
one-half day.
Finally, I ask that Attorney Dissinger send to me a copy of Dr. George's testimony at the
hearing. I will, of course, reimburse her for the reasonable costs associated with
making the photocopy.
1 trust that this answers all of the issues raised by counsel.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ck,
Richard C. Seneca, Esq.
VERIFICATION
I, Elizabeth Shunk, verify that the foregoing facts 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.
E fJza eth Shun
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF C MBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff
vs.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
VS.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
VS.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
following attorneys, by First Class United States mail addressed
as follows:
true and correct copy of the foregoing document upon the
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
I hereby certify that on the date set forth below I served a
Richard Seneca, Esq.
564 Old York Rd
Etters, PA 17319
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Richard Seneca, Esq.
564 Old York Rd
Etters, PA 17319
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
AND
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Date:January 20, 2009
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
VS.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
VS.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
MOTION TO PERMIT REUNIFICATION
And now comes Elizabeth Shunk by and through her Attorney's
Dissinger & Dissinger requests the court to direct partial
reunification between her and the minor children of the parties
on an interim basis, and in support of the motion avers as
follows:
1. Petitioner is Elizabeth Shunk who resides at 409 Newport
Road, Duncannon, PA 17020.
2. Respondent is Daniel Smith, natural father of the two minor
children of the parties.
3. Petitioner has not seen her children at all since the fall
of 2007 and has not been permitted to speak with them.
4. The parties have engaged in one full day of testimony before
this honorable court.
5. Petitioned herein believes that from the testimony there is
obvious evidence of alienation and estrangement of the
children from their mother, Petitioner herein by the father
and/or his family.
6. Based upon the testimony of Dr. Kasey Shienvold, Petitioner
believes it is in the best interest of the children to
commence partial reunification with her immediately under
the supervision of Dr. Shienvold and his office.
7. Petitioner through her counsel contacted Attorney Bayley,
counsel for Respondent herein asking if the father was
willing to engage in reunification between the children and
the mother.
8. Attached is a copy of a Attorney Bayley's reply by letter
dated December 15, 2008, which states "You mentioned the
idea of commencing reunification counseling relating to your
client and Dr. Shienvold. Even assuming the best case
scenario for Elizabeth (that the child's memories of sexual
abuse are erroneous) you still have a child that believes
she was molested. I recall Dr. Shienvold testify that he
has no experience or training in relation to sexual abuse
victims. I would imagine this applies to real or imagined
scenarios. Do you have any suggestions as to who does."
See copy of letter attached as "Exhibit A".
9. Counsel for Petitioner herein communicated with Dr.
Shienvold's office and thereafter with Attorney Bayley
indicating that "Dr. Shienvold knew of no psychologist with
skills that exceeded his in regard to reunification of
children who have been abused or believe themselves to have
been abused," and therefore suggested various dates that Dr.
Shienvold would be available to commence reunification
between Petitioner herein and the minor children. (See copy
of letter attached as "Exhibit B".)
10. A follow up letter was sent to Attorney Bayley on January 7,
2009 which is attached hereto as "Exhibit C", indicating
that no response had been received in regard to scheduling
reunification between the minor children and Petitioner
herein.
11. Petitioner's desires to resume her relationship with the
children on a partial basis through the supervised
reunification process available through the offices of
Riegler, Shienvold & Associates.
12. Petitioner believes that it is in the best interest of the
children to commence reunification immediately.
13. A copy of this motion has been provided in advance to all
counsel of record, and Attorney Richard Seneca, counsel for
t Zrres men Resource Center agree's/ disagree's with/ has
noe to the motion; and Attorney Sumple-Sullivan
disagree's with/ has not responded to the Motion;
torney Lindsay Maclay agree's disagree's with/ has not
responded to the motion; Attorney Bayley agree's/ disagree's
with/ ha not responded t the motion.
Wherefore it is respectfully requested that the court direct
the parties to commence reunification through the offices
Riegler, Shienvold & Associates immediately.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
Attorney for Petitioner
Supreme Court ID #27736
28 N. 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840
(717) 975-3924- fax
Bayley & Mangan
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
17 West South Street
Carlisle, Pa 17013
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
John J. Mangan, III, Esquire
Julie M. Good, Paralegal
December 15, 2008
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire
28 North 32nd Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
VIA FAX (975-3924) & I s"t Class Mail
RE: Shunk/Lally/Smith
Dear Mary:
Enclosed are executed releases you had forwarded.
Telephone: (717) 241-2446
Fax: (717)241-2456
You mentioned the idea of commencing reunification counseling relating to your client
and Dr. Shienvold. Even when assuming the best case scenario for Elizabeth (that the child's
memories of sexual abuse are erroneous) you still have a child that believes she was molested. I
recall Dr. Shienvold testifying that he has no experience or training in relation to sexual abuse
victims. I would imagine this applies to real or imagined scenarios. Do you have any suggestions
as to who does?
Since I am copying this letter to all counsel, I note that Daniel is agreeable to continuing
Dr. Shienvold's efforts regarding Maternal Grandparents. I do not believe that any new sessions
are scheduled. Does Ms. Lally and/or Dr. Shunk wish to schedule sessions?
,
(7?/IL
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
$arbora,Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
VIA-FACSIMILE 774-7059
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
VIA FACSIMILE 657-4996
1 I EXHIBIT
DIS`,sINGER v
DISSINGER
Attorneys at Law
VIA FAX ONLY
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
December 29, 2008
RE: Shunk v Smith v Lally v Lally
Dear Attorney Bayley:
I have spoken to Dr. Kasey Shienvold in regard to
reunification. He knows of no psychologist whose skills exceed
his with regard to reunification of children who have been abused
or believe themselves to have been abused. Therefore, we are
prepared to begin the reunification process between my client and
the children with Dr. Shienvold's assistance. If you are aware
of anyone with more skill or qualifications than Dr. Shienvold,
please let me know so that we may make efforts to begin
reunification elsewhere. Since I assume that your information is
the same as mine, I propose that you select one of the following
dates to commence the reunification through Dr. Shienvold's
office for my client and the children:
• January 12, 2009 at 9:00 am or 10:00 am, or at 2:00 pm, 3:00
pm, or 4:00 pm.
• January 13, 2009 at 8:00 am or 9:00 am, or any hour between
1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
• January 15, 2009 any one (1) hour block between 8:00 am and
4:00 pm.
• January 16, 2009 any one (1) hour block between 8:00 am and
4:00 pm.
28 North Thirty-Second Street
400 South State Road • b
EXHIBIT
7.975.2840/voice • 717.975.3924/fax
7.3474/voice • 717.957.2316/fax
Please let me know what date and time best suits your client
or the children and I will find out how Dr. Shienvold would like
to proceed with Ms. Shunk's reunification. I look forward to
hearing from you.
Very truly yours,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
Attorney at Law
MAED: arg
cc: Dr. Kasey Shienvold (Via fax only)
Elizabeth Shunk
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq. (Via fax only)
Lindsay Maclay, Esq. (Via fax only)
File: 1-07-519
DISjINGER
IDISSINGER
Attorneys at Law
January 7, 2009
VIA FAX ONLY
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
RE: Shunk v Smith v Lally v Lally
Dear Attorney Bayley:
On December 29, 2008, I sent you a letter inquiring about
possible dates for reunification of the children with my client
through the offices of Dr. Kasey Shienvold. If I do not hear
from you on or before the close of business on January 8, 2009, I
will file a motion with the court in hopes that they have already
seen that reunification should commence.
Very truly yours,
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
Attorney at Law
MAED: arg
cc: Dr. Kasey Shienvold (Via fax only)
Elizabeth Shunk
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq. (Via fax only)
Lindsay Maclay, Esq. (Via fax only)
File: 1-07-519
28 North Thirty-Second Street •
400 South State Road • bfa
EXHIBIT
• 717.915.3924/fax
• 717.95 7.2316/far
VERIFICATION
I, Elizabeth Shunk, verify that the foregoing facts 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.
Eliza?l. eth ShunTTT
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff
VS.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant
VS.
Margo E. Lally
Plaintiff
VS.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants
vs
Richard E. Lally
Plaintiff
vs
Daniel J. Smith, and
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk
. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND
OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
NO. 06-2411
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
Order of Court dated October 1,
2008)
No. 08-3092 CIVIL
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on the date set forth below I served a
true and correct copy of the foregoing document upon the
following attorneys, by First Class United States mail addressed
as follows:
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
AND
Richard Seneca, Esq.
564 Old York Rd
Etters, PA 17319
AND
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
AND
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Date:January 20, 2009
Mary A. Etter Dissinger
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff
V. OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Daniel J. Smith, OF PENNSYLVANIA
Defendant CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
v.
Margo E. Lally,
Plaintiff :
V.
Elizabeth L. Shunk, and NO. 06-2411
Daniel J. Smith
Defendants IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
V. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Richard E. Lally,
Plaintiff (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by
V. Order of Court dated October 1,
Daniel J. Smith, and 2008)
Elizabeth L. Smith Shunk No. 08-3092 CIVIL
ANSWER TO MOTION TO PERMIT DISCOVERY
And now comes the Children's Resource Center, by and through its attorney, to Answer the
Motion to Permit Discovery filed by Defendant, Elizabeth L. Shunk as follows:
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted. By way of further answer, the video recordings depict the examination of a child's
external and internal genitalia as part of its clinical protocol. These depictions are graphic and
sensitive and constitute a significant invasion of the privacy of a patient's person. By way of
further answer, the video depictions were not essential to form the basis of the testimony
1
given by Paula George, M.D., Medical Director of the Children's Resource Center. By way
of further answer, the Children's Resource Center believes that the prejudicial nature of the
video depictions outweigh the probative value of the same.
3. Admitted
4. Denied. The Movant sets forth only a broad basis for seeking the video depictions of the
child and does not, with any specificity, identify a basis upon which the probative value of
such video depictions outweighs the prejudicial nature of the same. By way of further
answer, Dr. George was called to testify at the hearing as a witness for the Movant. As such,
there does not exist a basis for Movant to subsequently challenge the testimony of Movant's
own witness. By way of further answer, the Children's Resource Center believes that the
privacy rights of the minor require further protection by the appointment of a Guardian Ad
Litem.
5. Admitted in Part and Denied in Part. It is admitted only that counsel for the Children's
Resource Center received a copy of the Motion and that the Children's Resource Center
disagrees with the Motion. After reasonable investigation, the Children's Resource Center is
without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
averments and the same are deemed denied.
6. Denied. After reasonable investigation, the Children's Resource Center is without knowledge
or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averments of this paragraph and
the same are deemed Denied.
7. Denied. After reasonable investigation, the Children's Resource Center is without knowledge
or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averments of this Paragraph and
the same are deemed denied.
2
WHEREFORE, the Children's Resource Center respectfully requests that the Motion to
Permit Discovery be denied and that a Guardian Ad Litem be appointed for the child to protect the
child's privacy interests in this action.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard C. Seneca, Esq.
Supreme Court I.D. #49807
564 Old York Road
Etters, PA 17319
Phone: (717) 932-0465
Attorney for Children's Resource Center
3
Jan. 26. 2009 2: 4dFM o y c i rens res No. d242 F.
I, Paula George, M.D., verify that the facts set forth in the foregoing Answer to Motion to
Permit Discovery are true and Correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I
understand that false statements herein ere made subject to the penalties of 18 P&C.S.§4904, relating
to unworn falsification to authorities.
Paula , M.D.
Medical Director
Children's Resource Center
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on the date set forth below I served a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document upon the following attorneys by First Class United States mail, postage prepaid
at Etters, Pennsylvania, and addressed as follows:
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esq.
28 N. 32"d Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Mark F. Bayley, Esq.
17 W. South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
DATE: I l Z? 120 v
Sean Michael Shultz, Esq.
Knight & Associates, P.C.
11 Roadway Drive, Suite B
Carlisle, PA 17015
Richard C. Seneca, Esq.
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V. :
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
RICHARD E. LALLY, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 30th day of January, 2009, upon consideration of Elizabeth
Shunk's Motion for Sanctions and Daniel Smith's Answer thereto, IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED AND DIRECTED that a status conference will be held on this matter at 1:30
p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2009, in chambers of Courtroom No. 5. Counsel for
Elizabeth Shunk shall prepare the appropriate releases she requests to be signed by
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the Father and provide copies to this Court and Father's Counsel prior to the status
conference.
/lark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
.Aary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
.Aarbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
/ndsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
/Sean Shultz, Esquire, GAL
By the Court, -?,- ?=Kl
`r,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
RICHARD E. LALLY, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 30th day of January, 2009, upon consideration of Elizabeth
Shunk's Motion to permit discovery,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that copies of the video tapes of the
three genital examinations made of Lydia Smith shall be provided to the Court in
camera. All expert witnesses will then be allowed to review the tapes in chambers.
By the Court,
114\ *? ?-4
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
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AI NO ', 1 ice",? 'rr.;,4.,jenn J
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Zmark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
ZBarbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
./ Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
./ Sean Shultz, Esquire, GAL
,,,,4ichard Seneca, Esquire
bas
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, P
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS
RICHARD E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SF
DEFENDANTS
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ND
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
LINK
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
: NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 9t day of April, 2009, after hearing in the above captioned
matters, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED:
1. Legal Custody The parties, Mother, Elizabeth L. Shunk and Father, Daniel
J. Smith, shall have shard legal custody of the minor children, Asher Smith, born
December 24, 1998, and kydia Smith, born April 1, 2003. Each parent shall have an
equal right, to be exercised jointly with the other parent, to make all major non-
emergency decisions affe? ting the children's general well-being including, but not
limited to, all decisions regarding her physical health, mental health, education,
extracurricular activities ahd religion. Major decisions regarding these categories shall
be made by the parents jointly, after discussion and consultation with each other and
with a view toward obtaining and following a harmonious policy in the children's best
interest. Pursuant to the Jerms of 23 Pa.C.S. §5309, each parent shall be entitled to all
records and information pertaining to the children including, but not limited to, medical,
dental, religious or school records (to include report cards), and the residence address
of the children and of the
2. Ph
(1) B
conduct at minimum th
advised of the dates of th
er parent.
now and April 30, 2009, Dr. Kasey Shienvold shall
(3) reunification sessions with Mother. The Court shall be
reunification appointments and if the parents cannot
mutually establish the timo and dates for the appointments they will be scheduled by the
Guardian Ad Litem (hereofter GAL). Daniel Smith shall be responsible for 70% of the
costs for these three reunification sessions. Failure of the Father to pay these
reunification costs will result in immediate transfer of the children to the Mother's sole
custody.
(2)
er shall have custody for the following weekends:
A. 9:00 a.m. April 25, 2009 until 6:00 p.m. April 26, 2009
B. 9:00 a.m. May 9, 2009, until 6:00 p.m. May 10, 2009
C. 9:00 a.m. May 23, 2009, until 6:00 p.m. May 24, 2009
2
(1) During the Summer school recess the parents shall have shared
physical custody of the children week on/week off. Mother shall begin her first period of
custody on June 7, 2009, lat 6:00 p.m. until June 14, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at which time
Father will have custody for the following week. The alternating periods will then
continue throughout the Summer recess.
(1) T be determined on or before August 21, 2009.
(2) Guardian Ad Litem will provide the Court with a
recommendation as to which school district the children should attend on or before
August 14, 2009.
(3) If necessary a hearing on this issue has been scheduled for
1:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2009. Each party will be limited to a one hour
presentation during the h aring.
3. Maternal Gran parent Visitation:
A. Maternal Grandparents will have unlimited visitation with the children
during any period in whic the children are in the physical custody of their Mother as
approved by Mother.
4. Reunification Plan Supervised by the Guardian Ad Litem.
A. Kasey S ienvold, Psy.D., M.B.A., of Riegler Shienvold & Associates,
("the reunification counsel r") shall continue as the reunification counselor. The
reunification sessions ma? continue after the initial 3 sessions ordered in paragraph
3
2 A (1) above as recommended by the reunification counselor and approved by the
GAL. The parents shall eoually share the cost of these additional reunification
sessions.
B. Neither parent will unilaterally initiate or terminate any mental health
evaluation or treatment fo( the children. If the children's present therapist, Counselor
Zug, is unable or unwilling to provide the reunification services, Jamie Orris or Jamie
Kunkel of Guidance Associates of Pennsylvania shall be the new therapist if either of
them are willing to serve io that capacity. If an alternative therapist must be selected,
the following procedure shall be used.
(1) The parent providing insurance coverage will check his or her
insurance for reimbursement and possible preferred provider and will inform the GAL of
these providers for his referral suggestions;
(2) The GAL will provide a list for three providers for the parents to
review and investigate independently. They will rank order the list and may veto two
names on the list. The palrents lists will be returned to the GAL within 10 days of
receipt; and
(3) Once assigned by the GAL, both parents agree to be involved in
the counseling in an appropriate, shared manner. When recommended by the
reunification counselor, Mother shall provide the transportation for the children to their
individual counseling sessions. The children's counseling sessions shall be scheduled
such that Mother will be able to pick up the children and take them directly to their
counseling sessions.
n further recommendation of the GAL, upon consulting with
4
the treatment team identified in Paragraph (6) below, the parents shall alternate taking
the children to appointme fits.
(4) Any information regarding the children from their treatment that
the therapist feels is appropriate to divulge shall be made available to both parents.
Both parents will respect the confidentiality of child therapy. The parents will optimize
insurance benefits when Oossible and will equally share the uninsured costs of any
treatment.
(5) The reunification counselor will consult with each therapist to
orient them to the case add the goals of treatment, prior to the onset of treatment if
possible in the case of a dew therapist, and as soon as possible in the case of a
therapist who is already providing services.
(6) Al! therapists and the reunification counselor will form a
treatment team, consulting with each other and coordinating their efforts; the parents
agree to sign any release$ and pay fees necessary for face-to-face or telephone
consultation.
(7) The treatment team, with notice to the parents, shall meet
together when necessary to assist parents in decreasing their conflict and to develop
effective parenting and codparenting behaviors.
C. Whenevor a parent has received information regarding the children -
for example, academic pr§gress reports, announcements of parent-teacher
conferences, notices regarding extracurricular or sports activities, medical and dental
reports, and so on - that Parent shall provide a copy of the material to the other parent.
It should be sent in a timely manner, particularly if it is time sensitive. If a parent
5
receives an invitation for 0 child's party, that parent shall immediately inform the other
parent of this if the child v?ill be in the other parent's care and ask that parent to follow
up with acknowledging and ensuring the child's attendance at the party.
D. Unless otherwise agreed in advance, neither parent shall arrange for
activities with or for the children when such activities would occur during the other
parent's custodial period Or necessitate any involvement of that parent. Any activities
mutually agreed on shall ?e equally shared in involvement and cost.
E. If possible, the parents shall use email or fax when communicating with
each other. Communicatipn shall be only with regard to the children and shall not
include personal commends or criticism. The communication shall carry essential
information about school, 1health care, and activities in a businesslike manner. Time
sensitive or emergency matters can be communicated by telephone. The children
should not be used to cor> municate between parents.
F. Neither parent shall schedule non-emergency health care without the
knowledge and consent of the other parent. The parent who takes the children to
routine health care appointments or care of illnesses should inform the other parent
immediately after such
child's health care,
emergencies, either
as soon as reasonably
G. Child cu
manner:
The parents should share their involvement in the
ng appointments whenever possible. In case of
can seek emergency care but will contact the other parent
sible to inform them of such care.
issues and disputes shall be handled in the following
6
(1) T e parents will initially attempt to resolve disputed issues
personally, in an adult ma ner.. Any unresolved disputed issues will be referred to the
GAL who will schedule a telephone conference or meeting to resolve each issue. The
GAL shall have authority 0 propose an amendment of the custody order to the Court.
Any such amendments accepted by the Court shall be binding upon the parties.
(2) (child-related disputes will not be formalized by attorneys in
letters of filed motions or etitions until the parents have followed the above protocol.
Parents can use their atto ney for consultation at any time.
(3) P ofessionals involved with the children (teachers, physicians,
coaches, dentists, or orth§dontists, and therapist) shall not be engaged in disputes by
the parents. Letters shall knot be requested of them, nor shall requests be made by the
parents for them to take al position on disputed issues.
A. The pare t beginning their custodial period shall pick up the children
from the parent who has custody of the children at that time.
6. Alcohol. T
A. Neither parent nor step-parent shall consume alcohol to the point of
intoxication or smoke in the presence of the children while the children are in their
custody.
B. Any parent or step-parent may be drug tested at the call of the GAL.
Any person found to be
testing.
isitive for controlled substances shall pay for the cost of the
7
7. Alienation:
Neither pa
presence of the children.
shall disparage the other parent or step-parent in the
r parent will allow a third party to disparage the other
parent or step-parent in the presence of the children.
By the Court,
s
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
ZM'ark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
/ary A. Dissinger, Esquir,
Attorney for Mother
Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Gra dfather
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Gra dmother
?ean Shultz, Esquire, GA
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AUTHORITY TO PAY COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL ?f APR 0 8 2000
1. COURT ?/
? District Justice L?l Gommon Pleas ? Appellate ? Other 2. VOUCHER
N0- 13298
3. FOR (D.J., C.P., A PELI?ATE)
' 4. A (CITY SIAT)
? 5. BUDGET CODE
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9. PROCEE INGS (Describe briefly) 11. PERSON REPRESENTED 12. CIVIL DOCKET NO.
/ ? Defendant - Adult
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WL r o r ? Defendant - Juvenile
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4 ? Appellee
13. CRIMINAL DOCKET NO.
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6 ? Material Witness
10. PERSON REPRESENTED (Full Name) 7 ? Parolee Charged With Violation
8 ? Probationer Char ed With Violation
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14. APPEALS DOCKET NO.
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16. NAME OF
Appf Date f MAILING ADDRESS
lCn•gh? ? ?4s?so??a?PS, .D. C'.
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NAME OF COMMON PLEAS JUDGE ASSIGNED TO CASE
C,,fIiSi Cj N7 14015
17.7E EPHONENo.
59-5 18. SOCIAL SECURITY NO OR EIN NO
1
120-
CLAIM FOR SERVICES OR EXPENSES
19. SERVICE HOURS DATES AMOUNTS CLAIMED
a. Arraignment and/or Plea Multiply rate per hour times total
b. Preliminary Hearing
hours to obtain "In Court" com-
pensation. Enter total below.
a Motions and Requests
4 Bail Hearings
:)
O e. Sentence Hearings
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I. Trial
g. Revocation Hearings
h. Juvenile Hearings
i. Appeals Court 19A. TOTAL IN COURT COMP.
6 Other (Specify on additional sheets)
TOTAL HOURS a
X $55 PER HOUR /`?
$ f!u, ! D . DU
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20. a Interviews and conferences Multiply rate per hour times total
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b. Obtaining and reviewing records hours. Enter total "Out of Court"
compensation below.
O M a Legal research and brief writing
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O V d. Investigative and other work (Specify on additional sheets) 20A. TOTAL OUT OF COURT
COMP.
TOTAL HOURS " ?+1
11 X $45 PER HOUR $ 31 D 5 D
21. ITEMIZATION OF REIMBURSAE1E EX PENSES AMT. PER ITEM r
Milage $.48 per mile x
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21 A. TOTAL ITEMIZED EXP.
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22. CERTIFICATION OF ATTORNEY/PAYEE 23. GRAND TOTAL CLAIMED
Has compensation and/oreimbureement for work In this case previous been ,& tied for? 81YES 0 NO
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Has the person represented paid any money to you. or to your knowledge anyone els , in connection with the matter for 24. DEDUCT. PRIOR PYMTS.
which you were appointed to provide representation? 0 YES NO If yes, give details on additional sheets
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a $
I swear or affirm the truth or correctness 25: NET AMOUNT LAIM
of the above statements Signatures of torney/Pays Date
Zg.nr,pTTUVt[,
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PAYMENT
Signature of
Judge /Date. ?? O 27. AMT. APPROVED
at $
Copy 1 - Mail to Court Administrator at completion of service
Knight & Associates, PC
11 Roadway Drive, Suite B
Carlisle, PA 17015
Ph: (717) 249-5373 Fax:(717) 249-0457
Lydia & Asher Smith
1513 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Attention:
RE: GAL - CUSTODY
DATE DESCRIPTION
Mar-02-09 Telephone conference with Mark Bayley,
Esquire
Mar-09-09 Voicemail to Dr. Sheinvold
Mar-12-09 Telephone conference with Mary Dissinger,
Esquire
Telephone conference with Casey Sheinvold
Mar-13-09 Work on Reunification Order
Mar-16-09 Attend Hearing
Mar-17-09 Receive and review letter from Attorney
Sumple-Sullivan
Mar-18-09 Receive and review Attorney Dissinger's
proposed Order
Mar-23-09 Receive and review Attorney Bayley's
proposed Order
Receive and review Attorney
Sumple-Sullivan's proposed Order
Mar-24-09 Receive and review letter from Attorney
Sumple-Sullivan
APR 0.8 2008
April 6, 2009
File #: 4350-001
Inv #: 22878
HOURS AMOUNT LAWYER
0.90 40.50 SMS
0.10 4.50 DMH
0.20 9.00 SMS
0.20 9.00 SMS
3.20 144.00 SMS
8.00 440.00 SMS
0.10 4.50 SMS
0.50 22.50 SMS
0.40 18.00 SMS
0.20 9.00 SMS
0.20 9.00 SMS
Invgice #: 22878
Page
April 6, 2009
Receive and review Attorney Gingrich 0.20 9.00 SMS
Maclay's proposed Order
Apr-06-09 Receive and review proposed Order from 0.70 31.50 SMS
Judge Ebert
Totals 14.90 $750.50
Total Fees & Disbursements
Previous Balance
Previous Payments
Balance Due Now
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO KNIGHT & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
$750.50
$732.60
$732.60
$750.50
Or THE Pf "' °. A17APY
2009 APR 16 Fll a: 17
4ju
Via
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Karen Reid Bramblelt, Esq. Middle District 100 Pine Street. Suite 400
Prothonotary Harrisburg, PA 17101
Milan K. Mrkobrad, Esq. June 25, 2009 717-772-1294
Deputy Prothonotary www.superior.court.state.pa.us
Certificate of Remittal/Remand of Record
TO: Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
RE: S., E. v. S., D.
No. 1573 MDA 2008
Trial Court/Agency Dkt. Number: 06-2411
Trial Court/Agency Name: Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas
Intermediate Appellate Court Number:
Annexed hereto pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure 2571 and 2572
is the entire record for the above matter.
Contents of Original Record:
Original Record Item
Part
Filed Date Description
November 26, 2008 1
Date of Remand of Record: JUN 2 5 2009
ORIGINAL RECIPIENT ONLY - Please acknowledge receipt by signing, dating, and
returning the enclosed copy oft is certificat to our office. Copy recipients (noted below) need
not acknowledge receipt.
Milan K. Mrkobrad, Esq.
Deputy Prothonotary
Signature
Printed Name
Date
/alv
OF 4MTARY
211 JUN 26 A1411: 58
i.??U'NTY'
F,Cult .'vuVAt+A
3. A09001/09
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
E.L.S. (N/K/A E.L.S.),
Appellant
V.
D.J.S., .
Appellee
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
No. 1573 MDA 2008
Appeal from the Order Entered August 4, 2008, in the
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, Civil
Division, at No. 06-2411.
BEFORE: BOWES, DONOHUE and FREEDBERG, JJ.
MEMORANDUM: FILED: May 18, 2009
E.L.S. (N/K/A E.L.S.) ("Mother") appeals from the order dated July 31,
2008 and entered on August 4, 2008, wherein the trial court denied her
motion to compel discovery in the ongoing custody dispute with her ex-
husband, D.J.S. ("Father"), concerning their two minor children, A.S. and
L.S. We quash the appeal as interlocutory.
The trial court succinctly summarized the facts underlying this case as
follows:
On April 21, 2007, a report was received by Cumberland
County Children and Youth Services [("CYS")] from the ChildLine
Abuse Reporting Systems that L.S. (date of birth: 4/01/03), .. .
may have been sexually abused [by Mother and her current
husband]. [CYS] immediately began the required civil
investigation. The matter was also referred to both the
Cumberland County District Attorney [("District Attorney's
Office")] and the Upper Allen Township Police Department who
3. A09001/09
began official criminal investigations on or about April 25, 2007.
During the course of the criminal investigation, the child was
interviewed and videotaped at the Children's Resource Center in
Harrisburg. Police reports relative to the investigation and
polygraph reports of polygraphs given to [Mother] and her
current husband ... were prepared.
On October 10, 2007, [CYS] completed its child protective
service investigation and filed Form CY48-6/95 with the
Department of Welfare. The report 'indicated" that [Mother]
was a perpetrator of sexual assault. Being "indicated" the report
was required to be maintained pursuant to the Child Protective
Services Law. 23 Pa.C.S.A. §6301 et.[sic] seq. [Mother] then
requested the Department of Public Welfare to expunge the
report of child abuse against her.
The Department of Public Welfare ... completed its review
of [Mother's] request to expunge on or about March 19, 2008,
and stated that they found the report to be accurate and that it
would be maintained in their records as originally reported. .. .
Trial Court Opinion, 11/25/08, at 2.
Pending the civil investigation, CYS permitted Mother supervised
visitation with the children. Father maintains legal and physical custody of
the children. After cooperating with Mother's supervised visitation for a
short period, Father unilaterally terminated the visitation and terminated all
contact between Mother and the children. The following procedural history is
pertinent to the posture of this appeal.
This case began with [Mother] filing a Petition for
Modification of Custody on March 7, 2008. The basis for the
request for modification of custody was that [Father] ... refused
to return L.S. to Mother as a result of allegations of sexual
abuse. On May 19, 2008, [Mother] filed Motion for Rule to
Compel Discovery which requested that a Rule be issued upon
the District Attorney's Office to show cause "why the
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3. A09001/09
investigation should not be deemed concluded and the video
tapes provided to the District Attorney's Office regarding L.S.
and all other reports in their possession pertaining to L.S.
whether generated in house by the District Attorney's Office or
provided to them from another source be provided to petitioner
herein." [Motion For Rule to Compel Discovery, at 5.]
On May 28, 2008, the Court issued a Rule upon the District
Attorney to show cause why the requested discovery should not
be provided. The District Attorney's Office filed an Answer to the
Rule with New Matter on June 17, 2008. Both parties then filed
briefs[,] and after argument[,] the Court denied the Motion to
Compel Discovery on July 31, 2008. Appellant then hied her
notice of Appeal to the Superior Court on August 29, 2008.
Trial Court Opinion, 11/25/08, at 1.
In filing her notice of appeal, Mother invoked the collateral order
doctrine, which she contends allows our review of the otherwise
interlocutory order denying her discovery request. Mother supplemented her
position in subsequent correspondence with this Court that we initiated sua
sponte in order to determine the propriety of Mother's appeal. Father
received copies of the correspondence, and he declined to take a position on
the issue.'
It is beyond argument that "Under Pennsylvania law, an appeal may
be taken from: (1) a final order or an order certified by the trial court as a
final order (Pa.R.A.P. 341); (2) an interlocutory order as of right (Pa.R.A.P.
311); (3) an interlocutory order by permission (Pa.R.A.P. 312, 1311, 42
1 On January 13, 2009, Father mailed a letter to the Prothonotary of the
Superior Court of Pennsylvania informing it that he did not intend to file a
brief in this matter.
-3-
I A09001/09
Pa.C.S.A. § 702(b)); or (4) a collateral order (Pa.R.A.P. 313)." Beltran v.
Piersody, 748 A.2d 715, 717 (Pa.Super. 2000) (citation omitted). Appellate
courts lack jurisdiction to review an unappeaiable order. See Sahutsky v.
H.H. Knoebel Sons, 566 Pa. 593, 601 n.3, 782 A.2d 996, 1001 (2001).
Accordingly, we first must determine whether we have jurisdiction to hear
this appeal.
Mother concedes that the order on appeal is not final and appealable
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 341 or appealable as of right pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.
311. She argues, however, that the order is reviewable as a collateral order
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 313.
Our Supreme Court codified the collateral order doctrine into Pa.R.A.P.
313, which provides as follows:
(a) General rule. An appeal may be taken as of right
from a collateral order of an administrative agency or a lower
court.
(b) Definition. A collateral order is an order separable
from and collateral to the main cause of action where the right
involved is too important to be denied review and the question
presented is such that if review is postponed until final judgment
in the case, the claim will be irreparably lost.
We previously explained the collateral order doctrine as follows:
The "collateral order doctrine" exists as an exception to the
finality rule and permits immediate appeal as of right from an
otherwise interlocutory order where an appellant demonstrates
that the order appealed from meets the following elements:
(1) it is separable from and collateral to the main cause of
action; (2) the right involved is too important to be denied
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3. A09001/09
review; and (3) the question presented is such that if review is
postponed until final judgment in the case, the claimed right will
be irreparably lost. See Pa.R.A.P. 313; see also Witt v.
LaLonde, 2000 PA Super 347, 762 A.2d 1109, 1110 (Pa.Super.
2000) (citations omitted).
Zn Re J.S.C., 851 A.2d 189, 191 (Pa.Super. 2004). Our Supreme Court has
directed that Rule 313 be interpreted narrowly so as not to swallow the
general rule that only final orders are appealable as of right. Geniviva v.
Frisk, 725 A.2d 1209, 1214 (Pa. 1999).
To invoke the collateral order doctrine, each of the three prongs
identified in Rule 313(b) must be clearly satisfied. J.S. v. Whetzel, 860
A.2d 1112, 1117 (Pa.Super. 2004). Herein, we find that Mother is unable to
satisfy the third prong, i.e., the question presented is such that if review is
postponed until final judgment, the claimed right will be irreparably lost.
In order to satisfy the third prong of the collateral order doctrine, an
issue must actually be lost if review is postponed. Keefer v. Keefer, 741
A.2d 808, 813 (Pa.Super. 1999). ""Orders that make a trial inconvenient for
one party or introduce potential inefficiencies, including post-trial appeals of
orders and subsequent retrials, are not considered as irreparably lost." Zd.
To meet the criterion of irreparably lost, ""[a]n interest or issue must actually
disappear due to the processes of trial." Id.
The seminal case addressing the application of the collateral order
doctrine in relation to a trial court's discovery order is Ben v. Schwartz,
-5-
o .
J. A09001/09
729 A.2d 547 (Pa. 1999). In that case, the court filed a discovery order
directing the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs to release an
investigative file that it had maintained on Burton Schwartz, D.D.S., a
defendant in a dental malpractice case initiated by Ewa Marta Ben and
Arthur T. Ben. The Bureau had objected to the plaintiffs' discovery request,
claiming that the information in the investigative file was both privileged and
protected by the Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 66.1 et seq. The Bureau
appealed the discovery order to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania,
which quashed the appeal as interlocutory. Our Supreme Court reversed,
holding, inter aiia, that pursuant to the third prong of the collateral order
doctrine, the Bureau's claims of privilege would be irreparably lost if
immediate review was not granted. Id. at 552. The Supreme Court
reasoned that once revealed, the disclosure of privileged documents cannot
be undone, and "there is no effective means of reviewing after a final
judgment an order requiring the production of putatively protected
material." Id. (citation omitted). The Supreme Court's holding in Ben has
produced a litany of cases, wherein this Court consistently applied the
collateral order doctrine codified in Pa.R.A.P. 313 to review discovery orders
directing the disclosure of putatively privileged materials, i.e., privileges that
would be irreparably lost if the material was divulged in conformance with
the discovery order. E.g., T.M. v. Elwyn, Inc., 950 A.2d 1050, 1058
-6-
. 4
3. A09001/09
(Pa.Super. 2008) (claim of privilege would be irreparably lost if forced to
disclose information in conformance with discovery orders); Berkeyheiser
v, A-Plus Investigations, Inc., 936 A.2d 1117, 1124 (Pa.Super. 2007)
(enforcing discovery orders would force the appellant to disclose potentially
privileged documents; thus, there would be no effective means of review
available); and Castellani v. Scranton Times, 916 A.2d 648 (Pa.Super.
2007) (interlocutory discovery order compelling newspaper to disclose
unnamed source was appealable under collateral order doctrine, in part,
because no effective means of review existed to determine putative privilege
after final judgment).
Herein, Mother attempts to engraft the pertinent aspects of the
Supreme Court's reasoning in Ben upon the procedural posture of this case.
Specifically, Mother argues that the trial court's failure to order the district
attorney's office to disclose the putatively privileged information in this case
caused irreparable damage to her custody claim and caused her to lose
further time with her children pending the entry of final judgment. For the
following reasons, we find Mother's contention unavailing.
By requesting that this Court permit her to challenge the district
attorney's claim of privilege in this interlocutory appeal, Mother ignores the
fundamental tenet underlying Ben that compliance with a trial court's
discovery order to release privileged information would permanently dissolve
-7-
3. A09001/09
the confidential nature of the material. An interlocutory appeal is
appropriate in limited circumstances in order to address the issue of
confidentiality prior to disclosure. However, the case at bar presents the
inverse situation. Mother is not attempting to protect a privilege, which if
waived, cannot be resurrected. Instead, the trial court in this case denied
Mother's discovery petition, and the putatively privileged information has not
been disclosed. As the privileged material remains protected from invalid
disclosure, the fundamental considerations at issue in Ben are not
implicated in this case. Accordingly, we conclude that immediate collateral
review of this issue is not appropriate under Ben and its progeny.
Moreover, although Mother's interest in winning the custody dispute
with Father is significant and her need to obtain potentially exculpating
evidence is important to her custody claim, these realities do not warrant
application of the collateral order doctrine. As previously noted, to satisfy
the doctrine's criteria of an irreparably lost claim, "[a]n interest or issue
must actually disappear due to the processes of trial." Keefer, 741 A.2d at
813. While the trial court's discovery ruling makes Mother's custody claims
difficult to prove and might ultimately delay the relief she seeks, postponing
review of that interlocutory ruling until after final judgment is entered does
not vitiate Mother's custody action. Thus, Mother cannot satisfy the third
prong of the collateral order doctrine. Id.
-8-
3. A09001/09
For the foregoing reasons, we quash Mother's appeal from the
interlocutory order denying her discovery request.
Appeal quashed.
Judgment Entered.
Prothonotary
Date: May 18, 2009
-9-
D-C I #t
OF THE PROTHONOTARY
2009 JUG! 26 AM I I : 5 a
PBMLVN A
a :
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff, : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
V.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant.
: DOCKET NO. 06-2411 Civil
UNOPPOSED MOTION OF PINNACLE HEALTH HOSPITALS AND
PINNACLE HEALTH CHILDREN'S RESOURCE CENTER TO
RETRIEVE VIDEO DISCS
AND NOW, come Pinnacle Health Hospitals and Pinnacle Health Children's
Resource Center, by and through their counsel, to retrieve certain video discs and in
support thereof aver as follows:
1. This is a child custody action heard by The Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr.
2. By Order of Court dated January 30, 2009, this Honorable Court directed that
copies of the video tapes of examinations of Lydia Smith be provided to the
Court in camera with all expert witnesses being permitted to view such tapes in
chambers. A copy of the Order of Court is attached hereto as Exhibit "A."
3. On February 3, 2009, three Digital Video Discs from Pinnacle Health Children's
Resource Center were delivered to Chambers, a copy of the Receipt for which is
attached hereto as Exhibit "B."
4. On March 9, 2009, one Digital Video Disc from Pinnacle Health Hospitals was
1
I S
delivered to Chambers, a copy of the Receipt for which is attached hereto as
Exhibit T."
5. Pinnacle Health Children's Resource Center and Pinnacle Health Hospitals seek
the return of the video discs to restore and preserve the medical record of care
provided to the minor child and to maintain the confidentiality of the depictions on
the discs.
6. Counsel for Pinnacle Health Children's Resource Center and Pinnacle Health
Hospitals has sought and received the concurrence of all counsel in the retrieval
of the video discs.
WHEREFORE, Pinnacle Health Children's Resource Center and Pinnacle Health
Hospitals respectfully request the entry of an Order permitting their counsel to retrieve
from Chambers the video discs provided pursuant to the Order of Court dated January
30, 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard C. Seneca, Esquire
PA Supreme Court No. 49807
564 Old York Road
Etters, PA 17319
(717) 932-0465
Attorney for the Pinnacle Health
Children's Resource Center
and Pinnacle Health Hospitals
2
i f
ELIZABETH L. SMITH,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS
RICHARD E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 30th day of January, 2009, upon consideration of Elizabeth
Shunk's Motion to permit discovery,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that copies of the video tapes of the
three genital examinations made of Lydia Smith shall be provided to the Court in
camera. All expert witnesses will then be allowed to review the tapes in chambers.
C5 MBV Fql??
FEB - 5 2009
By the Court,
'?,\ 1" (?4 -
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
EXHIBIT "A"
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire ,/
Attorney for Father
Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire ./
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
Sean Shultz, Esquire, GAL `*"
Richard Seneca, Esquire
bas
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff,
v.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant.
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
: DOCKET NO. 06-2411
RECEIPT
I acknowledge receipt of
-? Digital Video Disc(s) containing three (3)
examinations of Lydia Smith conducted by the Children's Resource Center which
Disc(s) will be transported to the Chambers of The Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr. of the
Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas in accordance with the Court's Order from
the bench of February 2, 2009, directing that the Disc(s) be delivered for an in camera
review by physicians retained as experts in the above-captioned action.
Dated: Y 10,41)00`
l?
Richard J.r}?ca
Legal Assistant to Richard C. Seneca, Esq.
Counsel to Children's Resource Center
RECEIPT BY THE COURT
I acknowledge receipt of the above-referenced Digital Video Disc(s).
Dated:
Signature
Name ?. r- b."-t
Title
EXHIBIT "B"
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff, : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
V.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant.
DOCKET NO. 06-2411
RECEIPT
I acknowledge receipt of one (1) Digital Video Disc containing an examination of
Lydia Smith conducted by Pinnacle Health Hospitals which Disc(s) has been
transported to the Chambers of The Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr. of the Cumberland
County Court of Common Pleas in accordance with the Court's Order from the bench of
February 2, 2009, directing that the Disc be delivered for an in camera review by
physicians retained as experts in the above-captioned action.
Dated:
Richard J. Se c
Legal Assistant to Richard C. Seneca, Esq.
Counsel to Children's Resource Center
RECEIPT BY THE COURT
I acknowledge receipt of the above-refe?renced Digital Video Disc(s).
Dated. Aq)-Cfl r ct
Signature
W, r-
%J Name Title
EXHIBIT "C"
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the attached Unopposed Motion of Pinnacle Health
Hospitals and Pinnacle Health Children's Resource Center to Retrieve Video Discs was
served upon the following person by depositing the same in the U.S. Mail, First Class,
postage prepaid, on July 30, 2009, at Etters, Pennsylvania:
Mark Bayley, Esquire
17 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esquire
28 North 32"d Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070-1931
Sean Michael Shultz, Esquire
Knight & Associates, P.C.
11 Roadway Drive, Suite B
Carlisle, PA 17015
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay
Daley Zucker Meilton Minor & Gingrich LLC
1029 Scenery Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Richard C. Seneca, Esquire
OF JNc TA Y
7G 9 V'kaL 30 iii i 9: , J
q ;°
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Elizabeth L. Smith,
Plaintiff,
V.
Daniel J. Smith,
Defendant.
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
DOCKET NO. 06-2411 Civil
AUG p 3 200911
ORDER
AND NOW, this VP\ day of , 2009, upon consideration of the
Unopposed Motion of Pinnacle Health Hospitals and Pinnacle Health Children's
Resource Center to Retrieve Discs, the Motion is hereby Granted and counsel for
Pinnacle Health Hospitals and Pinnacle Health Children's Resource Center may secure
from Chambers the video discs referenced in the Motion.
Richard C. Seneca, Esq.
564 Old York Road, Etters, PA 17319
Counsel to Movants
.,,/Mark Bayley, Esq.
17 West South Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
Counsel to Father
BY THE COURT:
24\1 ?a\/
M.L. Ebert, Jr., N 0 J.
/Sn Michael Shultz, Esq.
11 Roadway Drive, Suite B, Carlisle, PA 17015
Guardian Ad Litem
indsay Gingrich Maclay, Esq.
1029 Scenery Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Counsel to Maternal Grandmother
Mary A. Etter Dissinger, Esq., 28 North 32nd Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Co nsel to Mother
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esq.
549 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA 17070-1931
Counsel to Maternal Grandfather
(2oPI-ey rnz,-tt L
s
OF THE PPOTF fin TARP
2009 AUG -4 P 2.4
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3 ? Appellant 13. CRIMINAL DOCKET NO
4 ? Appellee
5 ? Habeas Petitioner
6 ? Material Witness
t 0. PERSON REPRESENTED (Full Name) 7 ? Parolee Charged With Violation
e ? Probationer Charged With Violation 14. APPEALS DOCKET NO.
L yd;.. SW?i }+(? 9 Other. e.WI.tr4_-n ivi
Appl Date 16. NAME OF ATTORNEY/PAYEE AND
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17. TELEPHONE No. 18. SOCIALSECURITYNO OR EIN NO
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CLAIM FOR SERVICES OR EXPENSES
19 SERVICE HOURS DATES AMOUNTS CLAIMED
. a. Arraignment and/or Pies Multiply rate per hour times total
hours to obtain "in Court" com-
b. Preliminary Hearing pensation. Enter total below.
c. Motions and Requests a i+,t
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TOTAL HOURS : X $45 PER HOUR $ 2-7?J
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21. ITEMIZATION OF REIMBURSABLE EX PENSES AMT. PER ITEM
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If yes. were you paid? ES ? NO Ifyis&bywhomwore youpaidr-alis Howmuch 7l 24. DEDUCT. PRIOR PYMTS.
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Date 25: NET AMOUNT CLAIMED
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Copy 1 - Mail to Court Administrator at completion of service
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Knight & Associates, P. C.
11 Roadway Drive, Suite B
Carlisle, PA 17015
Ph: (717) 249-5373 Fax:(717) 249-0457
Lydia & Asher Smith
1513 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
August 28, 2009
File #: 4350-001
Attention: Inv #: 23729
RE: GAL - CUSTODY
DATE DESCRIPTION HOURS AMOUNT LAWYER
Jul-15-09 Receive and review message from Attorney 0.10 4.50 SMS
Dissinger
Jul-28-09 Receive and review voicemail from Beth 0.10 4.50 SMS
Stambaugh; Leave return message for Beth
regarding need for hearing and grandparents'
attendance
Receive and review message from Beth 0.10 4.50 SMS
Stambaugh; Telephone conference with Beth
Stambaugh
Jul-29-09 Receive and review email from Beth Shunk 0.10 4.50 SMS
Aug-07-09 Office conference with Beth and Gary Shunk 1.10 49.50 SMS
and clients; Office conference with with
clients separately from Shunks
Aug-12-09 Visit home of Elizabeth Shunk 2.80 126.00 SMS
Aug-17-09 Telephone conference with Attorney Dissinger 0.40 18.00 SMS
Aug-18-09 Telephone conference with Attorney Bayley 0.30 13.50 SMS
Review file and prepare for hearing 1.10 49.50 SMS
Aug-19-09 Attend hearing 1.50 82.50 SMS
invoice 2.3729 Page 2
s
Aug-21-09 Receive and review email from Attorney
Bayley
Totals
Total Fees & Disbursements
Previous Balance
Previous Payments
Balance Due Now
August 28, 2009
0.10 4.50 SMS
7.70 $361.50
a301.'u
$45.00
$0.00
$4 0
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO KNIGHT & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
FILE D- E
2009 Si F 117 AM I I : n -1
C(?' ` w
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANT
V.
MARGO E. LALLY,
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH,
DEFENDANTS NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
RICHARD E. LALLY, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
dated October 1, 2008)
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
DEFENDANTS NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW this
day of 2009, after hearing in the above-captioned
matters, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED:
1. The Court's previous Order dated April 9, 2009, is hereby vacated.
2. Legal Custody: The parties, Mother, Elizabeth L. Shunk and Father, Daniel J.
Smith, shall have shared legal custody of the minor children, Asher Smith, born
December 24, 1998, and Lydia Smith, born April 1, 2003. Each parent shall have
an equal right, to be exercised jointly with the other parent, to make all major
non-emergency decisions affecting the children's general well-being including,
but not limited to, all decisions regarding her physical health, mental health,
education, extracurricular activities and religion. Major decisions regarding these
categories shall be made by the parents jointly, after discussion and consultation
with each other and with a view toward obtaining and following a harmonious
policy in the children's best interest. Pursuant to the terms of 23 Pa.C.S. §5309,
each parent shall be entitled to all records and information pertaining to the
children including, but not limited to, medical, dental, religious or school records
(to include report cards), and the residence address of the children and of the other
parent.
3. Physical Custody
(A) The parties shall alternate custody on a weekly basis. Except as otherwise
provided for holidays, all custodial changes shall take place on Friday.
During the school year, the party receiving custody shall pick up the
children from school at the end of the school day. During the summer or
on days when there is no school, if the holiday section of this Order does
not apply, the parties shall exchange custody of the children at 4:00 PM at
the Arby's in Camp Hill.
(B) Holidays
1. The Holiday custodial schedule under this section 3(B) supersedes
section 3(A).
2. Father's Day and Mother's Day: Father shall have the children on
Father's Day, and Mother shall have the children on Mother's Day,
from 9:00 AM until 5:30 PM.
3. In even-numbered years, Mother shall have custody of the children
from 7:00 PM the day before the holiday until 7:00 PM the day of
the holiday on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. In
even-numbered years, Father shall have custody of the children from
7:00 PM the day before the holiday until 7:00 PM the day of the
holiday on Easter and Independence Day. The parties shall alternate
the holidays in this paragraph on an annual basis.
4. Thanksgiving: Custody of the children on Thanksgiving will consist
of Block A, which shall be from the end of school on the day before
Thanksgiving until 7:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day, and Block B,
which shall be from 7:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day until 7:00 PM on
the day following Thanksgiving. In even-numbered years, Mother
shall have Block A and Father shall have Block B. In odd-numbered
years Father shall have Block A and Mother shall have Block B.
5. Christmas: Custody of the children on the Christmas holiday shall be
divided between Block A, which shall commence on December 24th
at noon or the end of school, which ever is later, and shall end on
Christmas Day at 2:00 PM; and Block B, which shall commence at
2:00 PM on Christmas Day and shall end at 2:00 PM on December
26th. In odd-numbered years, Mother shall have Block A and Father
shall have Block B. In even-numbered years, Father shall have
Block A and Mother shall have Block B.
4. Maternal Grandparent Visitation: Maternal Grandparents will have unlimited
visitation with the children during any period in which the children are in the
physical custody of their Mother as approved by Mother.
5. As needed, Kasey Shienvold, Psy.D., M.B.A., of Riegler Shienvold & Associates,
("the reunification counselor") shall continue as the reunification counselor as
recommended by the GAL. The parents shall equally share the cost of the
reunification sessions.
6. Neither parent will unilaterally initiate or terminate any mental health evaluation
or treatment for the children. If the children's present therapist, Counselor Zug, is
unable or unwilling to provide the reunification services, Jamie Orris or Jamie
Kunkel of Guidance Associate of Pennsylvania shall be the new therapist if either
of them are willing to serve in that capacity. If an alternative therapist must be
selected, the following procedure shall be used:
(A) The parent providing insurance coverage will check his or her insurance
for reimbursement and possible preferred provider and will inform the
GAL of these providers for his referral suggestions;
(B) The GAL will provide a list for three providers for the parents to review
and investigate independently. They will rank order the list and may veto
two names on the list. The parents lists will be returned to GAL within 10
days of receipt;
(C) Once assigned by the GAL, both parents agree to be involved in the
counseling in an appropriate, shared manner. When recommended by the
reunification counselor, Mother shall provide the transportation for the
children to their individual counseling sessions. The children's counseling
sessions shall be scheduled such that Mother will be able to pick up the
children and take them directly to their counseling sessions. Upon further
recommendation of the GAL, upon consulting with the treatment team
identified in Paragraph (6) below, the parents shall alternate taking the
children to appointments.
(D) Any information regarding the children from their treatment that the
therapist feels is appropriate to divulge shall be made available to both
parents. Both parents will respect the confidentiality of child therapy.
The parents will optimize insurance benefits when possible and will
equally share the uninsured costs of any treatment.
7. Whenever a parent has received information regarding the children - for example,
academic progress reports, announcements of parent-teacher conferences, notices
regarding extracurricular activities or sports activities, medical and dental reports,
and so on - that parent shall provide a copy of the material to the other parent. It
should be sent in a timely manner, particularly if it is time sensitive. If a parent
receives an invitation for a child's party, that parent shall immediately inform the
other parent of this if the child will be in the other parent's care and ask that
parent to follow up with acknowledging and ensuring the child's attendance at the
party.
8. Unless otherwise agreed in advance, neither parent shall arrange for activities
with or for the children when such activities would occur during the other parent's
custodial period or necessitate any involvement of that parent. Any activities
mutually agreed on shall be equally shared in involvement and cost.
9. If possible, the parents shall use email, text message, or fax when communicating
with each other. Communication shall be only with regard to the children and
shall not include personal comments or criticism. The communication shall carry
essential information about school, health care, and activities in a businesslike
manner. Time sensitive or emergency matters can and should be communicated
by telephone. The children should not be used to communicate between parents.
10. Neither parent shall schedule non-emergency health care, dental care or other
medical appointments without the knowledge and consent of the other parent. If a
parent must schedule a non-emergency appointment without getting the other
parent's prior consent, the scheduling parent shall provide written notice of the
appointment details to the other parent by email or text message within 24 hours
of scheduling the appointment.
(A) The parent who takes the children to routine health care appointments or
for care of illnesses should inform the other parent of the results of the
appointment immediately afterwards.
(B) The parents should share their involvement in the child's health care,
alternating appointments whenever possible.
(C) In case of emergencies, either parent can seek emergency care but will
contact the other parent by telephone, and email or text message, as soon
as reasonably possible to inform them of such care.
(D) If the custodial parent is unable to transport a child to a medical, dental, or
other healthcare-related appointment or visit, the custodial parent shall
first offer to the non-custodial parent the option of providing the
transportation before using any step-parent or other third party for
transportation.
11. Child custody issues and disputes shall be handled in the following manner:
(A) The parents will initially attempt to resolve disputed issues personally, in
an adult manner. Any unresolved disputed issues will be referred to the
GAL who will schedule a telephone conference or meeting to resolve each
issue. The GAL shall have authority to propose an amendment of the
custody order to the Court. Any such amendments accepted by the Court
shall be binding upon the parties.
(B) Child-related disputes will not be formalized by attorneys in letters or filed
motions or petitions until the parents have followed the above protocol.
Parents can use their attorney for consultation at any time.
(C) Professionals involved with the children (teachers, physicians, coaches,
dentists, or orthodontists, and therapist) shall not be engaged in disputes
by the parents. Letters shall not be requested of them, nor shall requests
be made by the parents for them to take a position on disputed issues.
12. Transportation: All custody exchanges shall occur at the Arby's in Camp Hill
unless otherwise specified in this Order.
13. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Controlled Substances:
(A) Neither parent nor step-parent shall consume alcohol to the point of
intoxication or smoke in the presence of the children when the children are
in their custody.
(B) Any parent or step-parent may be drug tested at the call of the GAL. Any
person found to be positive for controlled substances shall pay for the cost
of the testing.
14. Alienation:
(A) Neither parent shall disparage the other parent, step-parent, or
grandparents in the presence of the children or to daycare providers,
babysitters, school employees or staff, or any individual or entity related
to the employment. Neither parent will allow a third party to disparage the
other parent or step-parent in the presence of the children.
(B) The parties shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the children,
daycare providers, babysitters, school employees or staff, or any
individual or entity related to the employment of the parties or their
immediate families are not exposed to comments by their spouses and
other third parties that disparage the other parent, step-parent, or
grandparents.
(C) In the event that either party does not take the necessary steps required by
this section, this court will consider the party's failure to take such
necessary steps as a basis for modification of custody such that the other
party would be awarded primary physical custody, and the court would
consider this a basis to award the other party sole legal custody
ark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
0
V)da"ry A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
p/frarbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire `
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather V
Vndsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother
can M. Shultz, Esquire, GAL
By the Court:
SLED-Of"
OF THE PROTRMTARY
2009 SEP 30 AM 11: 53
GI BERLA D COUNTY
PENNSYL,YANIA
O
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, • IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff • OF PENNSYLVANIA
•
vs .
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant • NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
vs . •
MARGO E. LALLY fit `- f;x'-
Plaintiff •
vs • •
-0 --1
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants .•
RICHARD E. LALLY,
Plaintiff
vs .
•
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
Defendants •
PETITION TO MODIFY CUSTODY
1 . Petitioner is Elizabeth L. Shunk, residing at 25 South 18th
Street, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
2 . Respondent is Daniel J. Smith, residing at 225 North 21st
Street, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
3. Respondent is Margo E. Lally, residing at 1660 East Caracas
Avenue, Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
r3, PO/
6
ck1 t/ 3
,o 3 od33�
4 . Respondent is Richard E. Lally, residing at 11020 West Amity
Road, Boise, Ada County, Idaho.
5. Petitioner and Daniel J. Smith are the parents of Asher Smith
and Lydia Smith, their minor children.
6. Margo E. Lally is the maternal grandmother of the minor
children.
7 . Richard E. Lally is the maternal grandfather of the minor
children.
8 . The parties share legal and physical custody of the children
pursuant to a Court Order dated September 30, 2009 . (A copy
of the Order is attached as Exhibit "A" . )
9. Elizabeth L. Shunk seeks to modify the current custody
arrangement because father has several criminal charges
pending against him, which cause Mother to be concerned for
the physical safety of the children, and she seeks to modify
custody because Father has consistently and flagrantly
violated the terms of the Order, and Mother is better able to
provide a nurturing environment in which the children may
flourish, and the Guardian Ad Litem has not addressed
Petitioner ' s concerns .
WHEREFORE, Elizabeth L. Shunk requests the Court to modify
custody and award Mother primary physical and legal custody of the
children, and supervised custodial periods with Father.
Respectfully Submitted:
DISSINGER AND DISSINGER
-
By:
Mary A. Etter Dissinger 1
Attorney for Petitioner
Supreme Court I . D. #27736
28 North Thirty-Second Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-2840 - Phone
(717) 975-3924 - Fax
VERIFICATION
I, Elizabeth L. Shunk, verify that the statements made in the
Petition to Modify Custody 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 .
Eliza Meth L. Shunk, Defendant
OF
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE CUMBERLAND COICOMMON)NT PNNSYL NIA
•PLAINTIFF CUMBERL
•
V. •
•
DANIEL J. SMITH,
•
DEFENDANT
•
V.
•
•
MARGO E. LALLY,
•
•
PLAINTIFF
V.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH, NO, 06-2411 CIVIL
DEFENDANTS
•
RICHARD E. LALLY, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF : . CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. : (consolidated to 06-2411 Civil by Order of Court
: dated October 1, 2008)
DANIEL J. SMITH AND :
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK :
DEFENDANTS : NO. 08-3092 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 16\‘\ day of S 4 l . , 2009, after hearing in the above-captioned
matters, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED:
1. The Court's previous Order dated April 9,2009, is hereby vacated.
2. Legal Custody: The parties, Mother, Elizabeth L. Shunk and Father, Daniel J.
Smith, shall have shared legal custody of the minor children, Asher Smith, born
December 24, 1998, and Lydia Smith,born April 1, 2003. Each parent.shall have
an equal right, to be exercised jointly with the other parent, to make all major
EXHIBIT on-emergency decisions affecting the children's general well-being including,
but not limited to, all decisions regarding her physical health, mental health,
education, extracurricular activities and religion. Major decisions regarding these
categories shall be made by the parents jointly, after discussion and consultation
with each other and with a view toward obtaining and following a harmonious
policy in the children's best interest. Pursuant to the terms of 23 Pa.C.S. §5309,
each parent shall be entitled to all records and information pertaining to the
children including, but not limited to, medical, dental, religious or school records
(to include report cards), and the residence address of the children and of the other
parent.
3. Physical Custody
(A) The parties shall alternate custody on a weekly basis. Except as otherwise
provided for holidays, all custodial changes shall take place on Friday.
During the school year, the party receiving custody shall pick up the
children from school at the end of the school day. During the summer or
on days when there is no school, if the holiday section of this Order does
not apply, the parties shall exchange custody of the children at 4:00 PM at
the Arby's in Camp Hill.
(B) Holidays
1. The Holiday custodial schedule under this section 3(B) supersedes
section 3(A).
2. Father's Day and Mother's Day: Father shall have the children on
Father's Day, and Mother shall have the children on Mother's Day,
from 9:00 AM until 5:30 PM.
3. In even-numbered years, Mother shall have custody of the children
from 7:00 PM the day before the holiday until 7:00 PM the day of
the holiday on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. In
even-numbered years, Father shall have custody of the children from
7:00 PM the day before the holiday until 7:00 PM the day of the
holiday on Easter and Independence Day. The parties shall alternate
the holidays in this paragraph on an annual basis.
4. Thanksgiving: Custody of the children on Thanksgiving will consist
of Block A, which shall be from the end of schoo', on the day before
Thanksgiving until 7:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day, and Block B,
which shall be from.7:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day until 7:00 PM on
the day following Thanksgiving. In even-numbered years, Mother
shall have Block A and Father shall have Block B. In odd-numbered
years Father shall have Block A and Mother shall have Block B.
5. Christmas: Custody of the children on the Christmas holiday shall be
divided between Block A, which shall commence on December 24th
at noon or the end of school, which ever is later, and shall end on
Christmas Day at 2:00 PM; and Block B, which shall commence at
2:00 PM on Christmas Day and shall end at 2:00 PM on December
26th. In odd-numbered years, Mother shall have Block A and Father
shall have Block B. In even-numbered years, Father shall have
Block A and Mother shall have Block B.
4. Maternal Grandparent Visitation: Maternal Grandparents will have unlimited
visitation with the children during any period in which the children are in the
physical custody of their Mother as approved by Mother.
5. As needed, Kasey Shienvold, Psy.D., M.B.A., of Riegler Shienvold & Associates,
("the reunification counselor") shall continue as the reunification counselor as
recommended by the GAL. The parents shall equally share the cost of the
reunification sessions.
6. Neither parent will unilaterally initiate or terminate any mental health evaluation
or treatment for the children. If the children's present therapist, Counselor Zug, is
unable or unwilling to provide the reunification services, Jamie Orris or Jamie
Kunkel of Guidance Associ:to of Pennsylvania shall be the new therapist if either
of them are willing to serve in that capacity. If an alternative therapist must be
selected, the following procedure shall be used:
(A) The parent providing insurance coverage will check his or her insurance
for reimbursement and possible preferred provider and will inform the
GAL of these providers for his referral suggestions;
(B) The GAL will provide a list for three providers for the parents to review
and investigate independently. They will rank order the list and may veto
two names on the list. The parents lists will be returned to GAL within 10
days of receipt;
(C) Once assigned by the GAL, both parents agree tc be involved in the
counseling in an appropriate, shared manner. When recommended by the
reunification counselor, Mother shall provide the transportation for the
children to their individual counseling sessions. The children's counseling
sessions shall be scheduled such that Mother will be able to pick up the
children and take them directly to their counseling sessions. Upon further
recommendation of the GAL, upon consulting with the treatment team
identified in Paragraph (6) below, the parents shall alternate taking the
children to appointments.
(D) Any information regarding the children from their treatment that the
therapist feels is appropriate to divulge shall be made available to both
parents. Both parents will respect the confidentiality of child therapy.
The parents will optimize insurance benefits when possible and will
equally share the uninsured costs of any treatment.
7. Whenever a parent. has received information regarding the children— for example,
academic.progress reports, announcements of parent-teacher conferences, notices
regarding extracurricular activities or sports activities, medical and dental reports,
and so on—that parent shall provide a copy of the material to the other parent. It
should be sent in a timely manner, particularly if it is time sensitive. If a parent
receives an invitation for a child's party, that parent shall immediately inform the
other parent of this if the child will be in the other parent's care and ask that
parent to follow up with acknowledging and ensuring the child's attendance at the
party.
8. Unless otherwise agreed in advance, neither parent shall arrange for activities
with :'r for the child.-en when such activities would occur during the other parent's
custodial period or necessitate any involvement of that parent. Any activities
mutually agreed on shall be equally shared in involvement and cost.
9. If possible, the parents shall use email, text message, or fax when communicating
with each other. Communication shall be only with regard to the children and
shall not include personal comments or criticism. The communication shall carry
essential information about school, health care, and activities in a businesslike
manner. Time sensitive or emergency matters can and should be communicated
by telephone. The children should not be used to communicate between parents.
10. Neither parent shall schedule non-emergency health care, dental care or other
medical appointments without the knowledge and consent of the other parent. If a
parent must schedule a non-emergency appointment without getting the other
parent's prior consent, the scheduling parent shall provide written notice of the
appointment details to the other parent by email or text message within 24 hours
of ;cheduling the appointment.
(A) The parent who takes the children to routine health care appointments or
for care of illnesses should inform the other parent of the results of the
appointment immediately afterwards.
(B) The parents should share their involvement in the child's health care,
alternating appointments whenever possible.
(C) In case of emergencies, either parent can seek emergency care but will
contact the other parent by telephone, and email or text message, as soon
as reasonably possible to inform them of such care.
(D) If the custodial parent is unable to transport a child to a medical, dental, or
other healthcare-related appointment or visit, the custodial parent shall
first offer to the non-custodial parent the option of providing the
transportation before using any step-parent or other third party for
transportation.
11. Child custody issues and disputes shall be handled in the following manner:
(A) The parents will initially attempt to resolve disputed issues personally, in
an adult manner. Any unresolved disputed issues will be referred to the
GAL who will schedule a telephone conference or meeting to resolve each
issue. The GAL shall have authority to propose an amendment of the
custody order to the Court. Any such amendments accepted by the Court
shall be binding upon the parties.
(B) Child-related disputes will not be formalized by attorneys in letters or filed
motions or petitions until the parents have followed the above protocol.
Parents can use their attorney for consultation at any time.
(C) Professionals involved with the children (teachers, physicians, coaches,
dentists, or orthodontists, and therapist) shall not be engaged in disputes
by the parents. Letters shall not be requested of them, nor shall requests
be made by the parents for them to take a position on disputed issues.
12. Transportation: All custody exchanges shall occur at the Arby's in Camp Hill
unless otherwise specified in this Order.
13. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Controlled Substances:
(A) Neither parent nor step-parent shall consume alcohol to the point of
intoxication or smoke in the presence of the children when the children are
in their custody.
(B) Any parent or step-parent may he drug tested at the ca?l of the GAL. Any
person found to be positive for controlled substances shall pay for the cost
of the testing.
14. Alienation:
(A) Neither parent shall disparage the other parent, step-parent, or
grandparents in the presence of the children or to daycare providers,
babysitters, school employees or staff, or any individual or entity related
to the employment. 1'neither parent will allow a third party to disparage the
other parent or step-patent in the presence of the children.
(B) The parties shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the children,
•
daycare providers, babysitters, school employees or staff, or any
individual or entity related to the employment of the parties or their
immediate families are not exposed to comments by their spouses and
other third parties that disparage the other parent, step-parent, or .
grandparents.
(C) In the event that either party does not take the necessary steps required by
this section, this court will consider the party's failure to take such
necessary steps as a basis for modification of custody such that the other
party would be awarded primary physical custody, and the court would
consider this a basis to award the other party sole legal custody
By the Court:
. _ _
M.L. Ebert, Jr., J.
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
Attorney for Father
Mary A. Dissinger, Esquire
Attorney for Mother
Barbara Sumple Sullivan, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandfather
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
Attorney for Maternal Grandmother .F �. K4si t . t .
� , ,
+ , ,ti,ii ti:+.`•f 1'• 1 here 1{ :.,it 1 sy haat
Sean M. Shultz, Esquire, GAL ', a id.; "L ,, - •
,• !AI ` i ie• • /
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff OF PENNSYLVANIA
vs . .
DANIEL J. SMITH, .
Defendant NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
vs . .
MARGO E. LALLY .
Plaintiff .
vs . .
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND .
DANIEL J. SMITH .
Defendants .•
RICHARD E. LALLY, .
Plaintiff
•
vs . .
•
DANIEL J. SMITH AND .
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK .
•
Defendants .
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below, I served a true and correct copy of the Petition
to Modify Custody upon Sean M. Shultz, Esquire, GAL, Mark F.
Bayley, Esquire, attorney for Daniel J. Smith, Lindsay Gingrich
McClay, Esquire, attorney for Margo E. Lally and Barbara Sumple-
Sullivan, Esquire, attorney for Richard E. Lally, by First Class
United States mail addressed as follows :
Sean M. Shultz, Esquire
Saidis, Sullivan & Rogers
26 West High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
17 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
635 North 12 th Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
5006 Trindle Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-3647
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
540 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Date: /(l° /� c•�?i"
/ ° in
Mary Et er D singer, Esq.
r.
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff OF PENNSYLVANIA
VS .
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
VS .
• r:
MARGO E. LALLY --
Plaintiff -s.
VS . ..} -
cn po
co
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND p4
DANIEL J. SMITH =C)
Defendants _,C:
RICHARD E. LALLY,
Plaintiff
VS.
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
Defendants
AFFIDAVIT
hereby swear or affirm,
subject to penalties of law including 18 Pa. C. S. §4904 relating
to unsworn falsification to authorities that :
1 . I and/or another adult living in my household have or
have not been convicted, pled guilty or no contest to
the following crimes in Pennsylvania or any other
jurisdiction, as follows :
NO YES ME ADULT IN MY DATE
HOUSEHOLD
Contempt for violation
of a Protection from
Abuse order or agreement;
r .
NO YES ME ADULT IN MY DATE
HOUSEHOLD
XDriving under the
influence of alcohol
or a controlled substance
or drugs;
X Possession, sale, _
delivery, manufacturing
or offering for sale any
controlled substance or
other drug or device;
K Criminal homicide;
Murder;
Aggravated assault;
`7t, _ Terroristic threats;
_ Stalking;
Kidnapping;
Unlawful restraint;
False imprisonment;
Luring a child into a
motor vehicle or structure;
Rape, statutory sexual _
assault, involuntary
deviate sexual intercourse,
sexual assault, aggravated
indecent assault, indecent
assault, indecent exposure,
sexual abuse of children,
sexual exploitation of
children, sexual intercourse
with an animal or incest;
Sex offender non-compliance _
with registration requirements,
statute, court order, probation
or parole, or other requirements
under 18 Pa. C.S.A. §3130 and
42 Pa. C.S. §9795.2;
NO YES ME ADULT IN MY DATE
HOUSEHOLD
Arson and related offenses;
Concealing death of a child;
Endangering the welfare of
children;
Prostitution and related
offenses;
Obscene and other sexual _
materials and performances;
Corruption of minors or
unlawful contact with a minor;
2. I and/or another adult living in my household have present and/or
past history of violent or abusive conduct including the
following:
NO YES ME ADULT IN MY DATE
HOUSEHOLD ,��,( .0-7
A finding of abuse by a y- L
Children & Youth Agency
or similar agency in
Pennsylvania or similar
statue in another jurisdiction;
Abusive conduct as defined _
under the Protection from
Abuse Act in Pennsylvania or
similar statue in another
jurisdiction;
Other:
Signature
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
SS . .
COUNTY OF ��
r—
On this f day of — d n 2014, before me, a
Notary Public, the undersigned officer, pers pally appeared
C- oaf. ( . �-� , known to me or satisfactorily proven to be the
person presenting this affidavit, and acknowledged that they executed the same
for the purposes therein contained.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal.
My Commission Expires: 7s\
t --
Not ry u lic -
COMMONWEALTH OF PENtISYI.VANIA
NOTARIAL SEAL
DANIELLE R SCHOONOVER
Notary Public
L YSVILLE BORO.PERRY COUNTY
ommission Expires Jun 14,2017
ELIZABETH L. SMITH, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff OF PENNSYLVANIA
VS. ,
DANIEL J. SMITH,
Defendant NO. 06-2411 CIVIL
VS. ,
MARGO E. LALLY ,
Plaintiff
VS . ,
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK, AND
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
RICHARD E. LALLY,
Plaintiff
VS.
DANIEL J. SMITH AND
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
Defendants
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary A. Etter Dissinger, hereby certify that on the date
set forth below, I served a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document upon Sean M. Shultz, Esquire, GAL, Mark F.
Bayley, Esquire, attorney for Daniel J. Smith, Lindsay Gingrich
McClay, Esquire, attorney for Margo E. Lally and Barbara Sumple-
Sullivan, Esquire, attorney for Richard E. Lally, by First Class
United States mail addressed as follows :
Sean M. Shultz, Esquire
Saidis, Sullivan & Rogers
26 West High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Mark F. Bayley, Esquire
17 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
635 North 12 th Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire
5006 Trindle Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-3647
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
540 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Date• C� 2�7 `{ � � ��
Ma y meter Dissinger, Esq.
r7
ELIZABETH L. SMITH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEA S Q
rn PLAINTIFF W t� r�
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL $gA
V.
2006-2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
DANIEL J. SMITH • < r
IN CUSTODY _
DEFENDANT 7s- ^•
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Thursday,January 30,2014 , 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,February 13,2014 10:00 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. 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.
You must file with the Court a verification regarding any criminal record or abuse history regarding you and
anyone living in your household on or before the initial in-person contact with the court (including, but not limited to,
a conference with a Judge or custody conciliator) but not later than 30 days after service of the complaint or petition.
No party may make a change in the residence of any child which significantly impairs the ability of the other party
to exercise custodial rights without first complying with all of the applicable provisions of 23 Pa.C.S. §5337 and
Pa.R.C.P.No. 1915.17 regarding relocation.
FOR THE COURT,
By: /s/ Dawn S. Sunday, Esgj+/
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.
Co 4Cfcc Cumberland County Bar Association
R44,, in• ""1�+ 32 South Bedford Street
!S.fia�4g�_ Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
S'. .S' z, Telephone (717) 249-3166
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ELIZABETH L. SMITH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH
2006 -2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
Defendant IN CUSTODY
vs.
MARGO E. LALLY
Plaintiff
vs.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
vs.
RICHARD E. LALLY,
Plaintiff
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH and
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
Defendants
ORDER OF COURT
` t t 7
AND NOW, this 1,D day of Mal- t.\ , 2014, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. The prior Order of this Court dated September 30, 2009 shall continue in effect as
modified by this Order.
2. The parties shall alternate scheduling and taking the Children to regular dental, vision and
medical appointments. Within 24 hours of scheduling any appointment for the Children,
the scheduling parent shall notify the other parent by email of the appointment, including
the professional, the date /time and the purpose for the appointment. In the event of an
appointment other than regular checkups, such as sick child appointments, dental problems,
etc., the parent who has custody of the Children at the time shall be responsible to make the
appointment and shall notify the other parent in accordance with this provision. Within 24
hours following any appointment for the Children, the parent who took the Children to the
appointment shall send an email to the other parent summarizing what took place at the
appointment, including any diagnosis, treatment, follow -up and other significant
information.
3. Only the parents shall take the Children to dental, vision and medical appointments. In the
event a parent is unavailable to take the Child to an appointment scheduled during his or her
custodial time, that parent shall contact the other parent to offer the opportunity to take the
Child to the appointment before making other arrangements
4. Within seven days of the custody conciliation conference, the Father shall set up an email
account for use in sending and receiving communications regarding the Children with the
Mother and shall text the new email address to the Mother. The parties shall save all emails
regarding the Children required by Court Order.
5. The parties shall initiate counseling for the Children with Jamie Kunkle or other
professional selected by agreement at Guidance Associates. The Mother shall be
responsible to schedule the first counseling appointment for each Child and shall take the
Children to their first appointments. Thereafter, the parties shall alternate taking the
Children to their counseling appointments at Guidance Associates. The parties shall follow
the recommendations of the counselor with respect to the frequency of sessions for each
Child.
6. Neither parent shall schedule events or activities for the Children which will occur during
the other parent's custodial time without the advance written consent of the other parent. In
the event information pertaining to an event or activity that will take place during the other
parent's custodial time comes to the attention of the noncustodial parent, that parent shall
share the information received with the other parent by email.
7. Neither party shall share information used by school officials to development either Child's
IEP with either of the Children.
8. The parties agree to engage the services of a mediator /arbitrator for a minimum of at least
three full months, for the purpose of resolving disputes between the parents regarding the
Children and assisting the parents in obtaining the cooperation and communication skills
necessary to enable them to make decisions on their own on an ongoing basis. The parties
shall equally share the costs of mediation/arbitration. The mediator /arbitrator shall be given
the authority to reallocate the costs of the process between the parties in the event either
party is determined to be abusing use of the process to the other party's detriment.
9. After three months have passed from the date of initiation of mediation/arbitration, but
within six months, counsel for any party may contact the conciliator to schedule a telephone
conference for all counsel and to thereafter, if necessary, either arrange for reassignment of
the case to conciliation or the scheduling of a hearing if the issues raised in the Mother's
Petition have not been adequately addressed by the processes implemented by this Order.
10. No party shall do or say anything which may estrange the Children from the other parent,
injure the opinion of the Children as to the other parties, or hamper the free and natural
development of the Children's love and respect for any other party. All parties shall ensure
that third parties having contact with the Children comply with this provision.
11. No party shall be permitted to relocate the residence of the Children which significantly
impairs the ability to exercise custody unless every individual who has custodial rights to
the Children consents to the proposed relocation or the Court approves the proposed
relocation. A person proposing to relocate MUST comply with 23 Pa. C.S. §5337.
12. 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
writing. In the absence of mutual consent in writing, the terms of this Order shall control.
BY THE COURT,
M. L. Ebert Jr.
cc: %rk F. Bayley Esquire — Counsel for Father
ary A. Etter Dissinger Esquire — Counsel for Mother
,/Sean M. Shultz Esquire — GAL
e6tD re.s fnLa-t lc.C.,
a/as /ey
ELIZABETH L. SMITH IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH
2006 -2411 CIVIL ACTION LAW
Defendant IN CUSTODY
vs.
MARGO E. LALLY
Plaintiff
vs.
ELIZABETH L. SHUNK and
DANIEL J. SMITH
Defendants
vs.
RICHARD E. LALLY,
Plaintiff
vs.
DANIEL J. SMITH and
ELIZABETH L. SMITH SHUNK
Defendants
Prior Judge: M. L. Ebert Jr.
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
Asher Smith
Lydia Smith
BIRTH YEAR CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
1998
2003
Mother /Father
Mother /Father
2. A custody conciliation conference was held on March 19, 2014, with the following
individuals in attendance: the Mother, Elizabeth Smith, with her counsel, Mary A. Etter Dissinger
Esquire, the Father, Daniel Smith, with his counsel, Mark F. Bayley Esquire, and the Guardian Ad
Litem, Sean M. Shultz Esquire.
3. The parties agreed to entry of an Order in the form as attached.
Date
, c o,(9-0 r/
D
j-A-d---
awn S. Sunday, Esquire
Custody Conciliator