HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-3981
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fl\cust\DAU,MICHAEL&CYNTHIA-noticetodefend
MICHAEL F. AND CYNTHIA G. DAU,
HUSBAND AND WIFE,
Plaintiffs
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v,
CIVIL ACTION CUSTODY
NO. ~- Jq?{ C;oJ...c.y~
MORGAN E. MATTER, Mother, and
ANDRE McNEIL OWENS, JR., Father,
Defendants
NOTICE TO DEFEND
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the
claims set forth in the following complaint, you must take action
within twenty (20) days after the complaint and notice are served, by
entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in
writing with the Court your defenses or objections to the claims set
forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so, the case
may proceed against you and a judgment may be entered against you by
the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the com-
plaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the plaintiff,
You may lose money or property, or other rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER 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, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
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Jfl\cust\daumichandcynthcust
MICHAEL F. AND CYNTHIA G. DAU,
HUSBAND AND WIFE,
Plaintiffs
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v,
CIVIL ACTION
CUSTODY
e;c.>~l 'T~
MORGAN E. MATTER, Mother, and
ANDRE McNEIL OWENS, JR., Father,
Defendants
NO. D~- 3C?Pl
COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
1. The Plaintiffs are Michael F. and Cynthia G. Dau, adult
individuals, residing at 10 Plainview Road, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania,
17011.
2. The Defendants are Morgan E. Matter, last known to reside at
2125 North Penn Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103, and Andre McNeil Owens,
Jr., last known to reside in Howard County, Maryland.
3. Plaintiffs seeks custody of their great-niece, Tonia M.
Owens, who resides with them at 10 Plainview Road, Camp Hill, Lower
Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17111. The minor
child, Tonia, is 13 ~ years of age having been born on July 23, 1992.
The child was born out of wedlock.
The child is presently in the custody of the Plaintiffs, her
great-aunt and great-uncle, Cynthia and Michael Dau, who reside at 10
Plainview Road, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, 17011.
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The child is currently enrolled in and attends Camp Curtin
Middle School. She has been classified as "homeless" by the
Harrisburg School District to allow her to attend school within that
district until such time as an Order of Court allows her to attend
West Shore School District.
During the past eight years, the child has resided with the
following persons and at the following addresses:
NAME
ADDRESS
DATES
Plaintiffs
10 Plainview Road
Camp Hill, PA
since 9/12/05
Morgan Matter
child's biol, mother
2125 N. Penn Street
Harrisburg, PA
@ 8/03 - 9/12/05
Terri Brentnall Jacksonville, Florida
child maternal grandmother
(Plaintiff Michael Dau's sister)
@ 7/01 - 8/03
The mother of the child is Morgan Elizabeth Matter who
currently resides at an undisclosed location believed to be in the
Baltimore, Maryland area.
She is believed to be single.
The father of the child is Andre McNeil Owens, Jr. whose
current whereabouts and residency are unknown. It is believed that
there may be an old address on file with the Domestic Relations Office
of Cumberland County
The father's marital status is unknown,
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4. The relationship of Plaintiffs to the chil& is that of
maternal great uncle and great aunt, The Plaintiffs currently reside
with the following persons;
NAME
RELATIONSHIP
Elizabeth N. Dau
Daughter
the subject minor child
5. The relationship of Defendants to the child is that of mother
and father. The Defendants currently resides with the following
persons:
NAME
RELATIONSHIP
unknown
6. The Defendant Mother is currently entered into the National
Crime Information Center in Washington, D,C. as a result of a report
filed with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. No further information
is available as of the date of this filing. See attached notice.
7. Plaintiffs have not participated as a party or witness, or in
another capacity, in other litigation concerning the custody of the
child in this or another court.
I
8. Plaintiffs have no information of a custody troceeding
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concerning the child pending in a Court of this Co~onwealth.
9. Plaintiffs do not know of a person not a party to the
proceedings who has physical custody of the child or claims to have
custody or visitation rights with respect to the child.
10. The best interest and permanent welfare of the child will be
served by granting the relief requested because:
(a) The child has resided off and on with her great aunt
and great uncle, the Plaintiffs herein, since her first birthday who
have provided a continuous living relationship with the child;
(b) The Plaintiffs are able to provide a stable home and
family type environment for the child allowing the child opportunity
to spend time with the child's mother consistent with a schedule the
parties may arrange between themselves,
(c) The child has lived with the Plaintiffs in the past for
years at a time through the volition and permission of the
Defendant/Mother who has entrusted the Plaintiffs with the care of her
daughter.
(d) The child can only be enrolled in the West Shore School
District and attend the Middle School if the
Plaintiffs
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permanert
have a current
Court Order granting them either temporary or
physical
custody.
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(e) The child can only be placed on the Plaintiffs' medical
and dental health care plans if the Plaintiffs are granted physical
custody.
(f) The last time the child was living with the Plaintiffs,
she stayed with them for three (3) years.
(g) Given the current unknown whereabouts of both of her
parents, compounded with the unstableness of the defendant/mother, the
Plaintiffs seek to provide a comfortable, stable and loving home for
their niece until the mother decides to corne home again.
11. However, until such time as the defendant/mother decides to
return to the area, the Plaintiffs desire and need to have a Court
Order granting them legal and physical custody of the minor child
which is in the best interests of this minor child,
12. Each parent whose parental rights to the child have not been
terminated and the person who has physical custody of the child have
been named as parties to this action.
13. The Plaintiffs assert their legal standing to file this
Complaint for Custody under 23 Pa. C. S. A. 55314 (c) (3) wherein the
Grand Uncle and Aunt, Plaintiffs herein, deem it necessary to assume
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responsibility for a child who is substantially at ri~k due to
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parental abuse and neglect due to her being abandonedf
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request the court to grant physical and
legal custody of the minor subject child to them,
STONE LaFAVER & SHEKLETSKI
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for Plaintiff
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Fl\cust\DAU,MICHAEL&CYNTHIA-verification
V E R I FIe A T ION
Michael F. Dau and Cynthia G. Dau, husband and wife, state
that they are the Plaintiffs named in the foregoing instrument
and that they are acquainted with the facts set fortfu in the
foregoing instrument; that the same are true and correct to the
best of their knowledge, information and belief; and that this
statement is made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa, C.S.A. ~4904
relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
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Date:
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City of Harrisburg
Bureau of Police
McCormick Public Services Center
123 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1614
May 30,2006
OFFICE OF THE
CHIEF OF POLICE
<<Repfirstname>> CUNTHIA DAU
<<Repaddress1>>lO PLAINVIEW RD
<<Repaddress2>>CAMP HILL PA 17011
REF: Name of Missing Person:
Birth Date:
Date Reported Missing:
Police Incident Number:
MORGAN MATTER
917172
<<4/29/06
<<2006-04-12892
Dear ANN COLOAZO-DELEON
The above referenced missing person is presently entered into the National Crime
Information Center in Washington, D,C. as a result of your having reported him/her as
missing with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police,.
It is imperative that if the above listed person has returned that you immediately
notify us. This can be done by calling this department at (717) 255-3131, or writing to us at
the above address, Please include the police incident number and name of the missing
Ilerson as referenced above.
If we do not hear from you within five (5) days from the date of t~is letter, we will
continue to consider him/her as stilI missing.
Sincerely,
CAPTAIN RICHARD PICKLES
Commander, Technical Services Division
Han"isburg Bureau of Police
C(': Incidellt Report File
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MICHAEL F. AND CYNTHIA G, DAU.
HUSBAND AND WIFE
PLAINTIFF
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, pENNSYL VANIA
v,
06-3981 CIVIL ACTION LA W
MORGAN E. MATTER, MOTHER AND
ANDRE MCNEIL OWENS, JR, FATHER
DEFENDANT
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW,
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
, upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Dawu S. Suuday, Esq.
at 39 West Main Street, Mecbanicsburg, PA 17055 on Wednesday, AUl/ust 23, 2006
, the conciliator,
at 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. 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 pemlanent order,
The court hereby directs the parties to furnish any and all existing Protection from Ahuse 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 Disabi1ites 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
HA VE 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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MICHAEL and CYNTHIA DAU
Plaintiffs
RECEIVED
~UG (4 2006
IN THE COURT OF CO
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs.
06-3981
CIVIL ACTION LAW
MORGAN MATTER and ANDRE
OWENS, JR.
Defendants
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 1. 'i ~~ day of I\\)~O~ t , 2006,
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it IS ordered and directed as follows:
upon
1. The Plaintiff maternal great-uncle and great-aunt, Michael and Cynthia Dau, shall
have primary physical and legal custody of Tonia M. Owens, born July 23, 1992.
2. The Mother, Morgan Matter, shall have liberal reasonable partial custody of the
Child as arranged by agreement between the Mother and the Plaintiffs.
3. The Plaintiffs shall make a reasonable effort to contact and consult with the Mother
prior to making any major non-emergency decisions, including but not limited to,
any major medical, religious or educational decisions affecting the Child.
4. The Mother may file a request with the Court at any time to schedule an additional
custody conciliation conference to review the custody arrangements with the
Mother's participation.
BY THE COURT,
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cc: ~abeth B. Stone, Esquire - Counsel for Plaintiffs
~organ Matter - Mother ~
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MICHAEL and CYNTHIA DAU
Plaintiffs
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs.
06-3981
CIVIL ACTION LAW
MORGAN MATTER and ANDRE
OWENS, Jr.
Defendants
IN CUSTODY
Prior Judge: None
CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY RULE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE 1915.3-8, the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following report:
1. The pertinent information concerning the Child who is the subject of this litigation is as
follows:
NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
ToniaM. Owens
July 23,1992
Maternal Great Uncle and Aunt
2. A custody conciliation conference was held on August 23, 2006, with the following
individuals in attendance: The maternal great-uncle and great-aunt, Michael and Cynthia
Dau, with their counsel, Elizabeth B. Stone, Esquire. Neither the Mother, Morgan Matter,
nor the Father, Andre Owens, Jr., attended the conference or contacted the conciliator.
3. The Plaintiffs' counsel advised that the Mother was served with notice of the conciliation
conference by mail at the recent address provided by the Mother. The Father's place of
residence is unknown as the Father has had no contact with the Child for at least 10 years.
4. The Plaintiffs are the Child's maternal great-uncle and great-aunt, who have filed this
Complaint for Custody in order to obtain medical insurance and school enrollment for the
Child. The Plaintiffs represented that the Child has resided with them most recently
from September 2005 through the present and previously for years at a time at the request
of the Mother. The Mother maintains contact from her residence in Baltimore with the
Child through weekly telephone calls. The Plaintiffs stated that the Mother has entrusted
them with the care of the Child and they continue to be willing to undertake that
responsibility. The Plaintiffs indicated that a Court Order confirming the existing
custodial arrangement is required to enroll the Child in school and to obtain medical
insurance for her care. The Plaintiffs stated that they would continue to facilitate contact
between the Mother and the Child and wish to provide stability for their great-niece while
the Mother is unavailable to provide for her care.
5. Based on the representations of the Plaintiffs at the conference, the conciliator
recommends an Order in the form as attached confirming the existing custodial
arrangements and providing for a review of the arrangements at the Mother's request in
the event she wishes to assume care for the Child.
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Date
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Dawn S. Sunday, EsqUIre
Custody Conciliator