HomeMy WebLinkAbout94-04475
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S. IIUr~lIUnllo un ()rdel"Orlhl~ Court duled September 12. 11)94. Fulher hu~
prll1lury phy~ieul custody or the ulhrementioned children until such time us Deb Guod,
Monllor, Is sutlslled thuI MOlher hus mude suflldent progress towurds lhe treulmenlor
her uddicllvc disorders hI perlimn competently us Ihe primur)' physicul clJslodiun or the
children, l'ursuunllolhul Order Ihe Monitor wus responsible lilr Issuing U wrillen reporl
regurdlng Delcndunl's lreulmenl und expressing her opinion regurding sume. Suid rep1ll1
wus Issued Novcmbel' 2ll, 1994,
6. Pursuunllo purngrnph 4 of lhe Order dUled Seplember 12. 1994 Iflhe
purlies m'e lInuble 10 reuch un ugreemenllilr Ihe relurn ofpl'imury physicul cuslody orlhe
children IOlhe MOlher uncI' I'eceipl oflhe Monilor's leller. u prom pi heuring would be
scheduled louddress lllllllsslle,
7. While Pluinliff did relurn cuslody oflhe children 10 Dclcndunl on or ubout
December 6. 1994, he hus luiled 10 sign u SlipulLllion tbr Cuslody. Dclcndunl's counsel
hud prepured u Slipululion IiII' Cuslody which she lilrwlIl'lled lo Pluinlift's counsel Oil
December 12, 1994, ^ copy oflhe cover leller 1I11d dmn Sliplllulion till' Cuslody is
[I11uched herelo und murked us Exhihil" ^,',
ll, Pluinlill: despite wrillen requesls on bOlh Junuury 23. 1995 und Murch 3.
1995, hus Ihiled 10 sign Ihe Slipululion or respond 10 correspondence,
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involve..nt of each of the parties with thst prograM, The children should
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III also be .sde to felll cOMfortable with Monitor so that. they can convey
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I, inforluUon to Monitor as thllY dllllm appropl'iatll.
2. When Monitor haa completed a reallonable period of monitoring the mother's
,behavior and is satisfied that the mother has made sufficient progresH toward the
treatment of hllr addictive disorders to perform competently all the primary phYllical
custodian of the children, MoniLor ahall laaue a written rllport, in lettllr form, to
both of the partiell, through counllel, expresB1ng such op inion.
3. 'he relatlonahip beLween each of the partlea and Monitor shall not be a
therapeutic relationnhlp. We dl!ulgnatu Monitor uimply to monitor the mother'n uUorta
to deal with her addictive dlao~der and her Bultabllity to have primary custody of the
children aD B renult of her effortu. Au a rl!llult, all Information providl!d to Monitor
by either of the parties ahall not be deemed confidential and Monitor, and the
,employeen of Monitar'n office, ahall be free to tl!ntity without any claim of privilege
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or confidentiality at any subsequent hearingn in this matter,
4. Upon receipt of the letter report deucrlbed in Paragraph 3 above, it the
I parties cannot then reach agreement to return primary physical cuatody to the mother
and agree upon Lhe terma of a cuntody achedula for the children and both parenta, we
will achedule a prompt hearing before the undersigned upon the motion of either party
by their counsel. It the partiea reach agreement for the mother to have primary
physical custody or for any other modification of the custody achedule after the date
ot this order, they ahall Bubmlt that to the court by stipUlation for entry as an
order.
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, I IN 1HB COURT OP COMMON
J08BPH A. liLLO,
PldntUf PLBA8 OP CUMPBRLAND
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VII.
) NO. 94~44'1f> CIVIl, 'rIlRM
sUSAN M. RILLO, )
Defendant ) CUSTODY
JUDGB PREVIOU8LY ASSIGNED I The Honorable Edgar P. Bayley
~J.WMO..-L~I-'!CJt__Q~!Y RBpORT
IN ACCORDANCB WITH CUMBBRLAND COUNTY RULf. OF CIVIL PROCBDURB 191f>.3-8(bl, the
undersigned custody conei liator sublllito the following reporll
1. The pertinent information concerning the children who are tho SUbject of thill
litigation is all followsl
Julio Rillo
Jennifer Rillo
A.anda Rillo
9 January 1993
19 Janu8l"Y 1984
If> June 1987
CURRBNTI,Y IN
CUSTODY OF
Plaintiff/Father
Plaintiff/Father
Plaintiff/Father
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PIIlTHDATll
2. A Conciliation Conference was held on 30 Allguot 1994 and the following
individualo were present: the Plaintiff and hlo attorney, Brllce D. Desfor, Eoqulre;
the Defendant and her attorney, Maria P. Cognetti. Eoquire.
3. This caoe wall before ,Judge Bayley on the father'8 emergency petition for
custody. At that Lime the father claimed that the mother was Incapacitated from
, serving competently 010 the custodial parent becau8ll of hur alcohol problem. The court
entered a temporary order awarding the father physical custody of the children. That
order hao been adjusted olnce thou to give the mother Ilubotantial time with the
children, while /lupervised by her companion, Howevor, the father continuos to have
primary physical cuotody,
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I 4, o\t the conference, the mother admitted having sevore problems with alcohol and
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: adMitted ~oat of the factual allo9ations set out in the father's petition for emergoncy
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relief, ahe contended that sho Wus activoly aeukin9 help with her problem and claimed
that she already had it largely under control, aho soeks to have primary phyaical
cuatody of the childron returncd to har.
5. Tho fathor is not aatistied that the mother haa conquerod her addictive
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iproblems and ia not willing to agreo to roturn custody to her until he has Some basis
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1 to believe that she haa done so. He acknowledgos that he wants the children Ultimately
to return to her primary cuatody, if and whon she recovera to the point that ahe can
,competently care for them aa the primary phyalcal custodian.
6. The parties Ultimately agreed to conuult with a psychologiat or other expert
to review and monitor the mothor'u llrogresa in dlldling with her problemll, They agreed
lupon the terma of an order aetting out the precise duties and functionu of thiu
,monitor, and the attached order was dictated in their presence dnd approved by both
i'partios and their counuel.
Following the conference, the parties dgreed upon the
[[person to serve as monitor and I included that information in the order in its final
il form,
7, In the meantime, with one adjustment as to time, the temporary custody order
remains in effect, The children will be with the father from Wednesday evening until
aunday evening and with tho mother from Sunday evening until Wednesday evening, still
under the auperviaion of her companion, The children will continue their enrollment in
parochial achool and each parent will be respanaible to get the children to school each
day.
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involvement of each of the parties with that program. The children should
aleo be made to feel comfortable with Monitor BO that they can convey
information to Monitor as they deem oppropriate.
2. When "onitor haa completed a reosonable period of monitoring the mother's
behavior and is sotiefied thot the mother hae mode sufficient progrese toward the
treatment of her oddictive disorders to perform competently oe the primary physical
custodian of the children, Monitor sholl issue a written report, in letter form, to
both of the parties, through counael, expreesing such opinion.
3. The relationship between each of the parties ond Monitor sholl not be a
therapeutic relationship. We deulgnate Monitor simply to monitor the mother's ettorts
to deal with her addictive disorder and her suitability to have primary custody of the
children as a result of her efforts, As 8 result, all information provided to Monitor
by either of the parties sholl not be deemed confidential and Monitor, and the
employees ot "onitor's office, sholl be free to testify without any claim of privilege
or confidentiality at any subsequent hearings in this matter.
4. Upon receipt of the letter report described in Paragraph 2 above, if the
parties cannot then reach agreement to return primary physical custody to the mother
and agree upon the terms of a custody schedule for the children and both parents, we
will schedule a prompt hearing before the undersigned upon the motion of either party
by their counsel, If the parties reach agreement for the mother to have primary
physical custody or for any other modification of the custody schedule after the date
of. this order, they shall Bubmit that to the court by stipUlation for entry as an
order.
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JOSEPH A. RH,I,OI tN TilE COllIn OF COMMON PI.8AS
Plaintiff CllMU~~RLAND COllNTY. P8NNSYLVANtA
v. C tV t L ACTION " CllSTODY
SllSAN M. RILLa, (,q . L1t/'!)-
Defendant NO. OF 1994
TI11MPORARY ORDER
AND NOW, this
~_ day of -,~L~
1994,
temporary legal and physical custody of the three minor children,
Julie Rillo, Jennifer Rillo and Amanda Rillo, shall be in the
Plaintiff, their father, Mother shall have supervised periods of
~, 11-i.., "tM-, :(J lN1 ~_. jh.Q C~V.}Q-- h
-\-D C {JVV' A-I\ G..+ l /In (1/'\. fn.JJ
""--:\ {j.t <^- V\JJ.tM I ~ (ytvtJ.
Order shall remain in effect until further Order of
Court.
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J,
MIVI'" . DllfOII
410 NORTH SECOND STREET . POBOX 1062 . HARRISBURG, PA 17109
1711123&,9429 . FAX 1711123&,2917
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JOSEPH A. RILLO, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff CUMJ3IilRLANP COUN'rY, PENNSYLVANIA
v. CIVIL. AC'rION - CUSTODY
SUSAN M. RILLO, NO. qq , LjL/ 'IS' OF 1994
De fendant
COMPLAINT FOR AWARD OF EMERGENCY CUSTODY
1, The plaintiff is Joseph A. Rillo, residing at 50 Pine
StrQet, Carlisle, Pennsylvania (hereinafter father) ,
2. The defendant is Suoan M. Rillo, residing at 2606
Rathton Road, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania <hereinafter mother) .
3. plaintiff seeks custody of the following children I
l':I.IDM
Present Resid~nce
Date of Birth
Amanda
2606 Rathton Road
Camp Hill, PA
2606 Rathton Road
Camp Hill, PA
2606 Rathton Road
Camp Hill, P1\
January 9, 1963
Julie
Jennifer
January 19, 1964
June 15, 1987
The children were not born out of wedlock. The children are
presently in the custody of Plaintiff-father, who resides at 50
Pine Street, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
During the past five years, the children have resided with
the following persons at the following addresses~
P~aintiff and
Defendant
2606 Rathton Road,
Camp Hill, PA
until January 1, 1991
With either Plaintiff or Defendant at their respective
MIYI~I. DlI_
4'ONORTH SECONO STREET . PO BOX'061 . HARRISBURG, PA I7IOB
17171136,9416 . FAX '7' 71136,1611
re~idences from January 1, 1991 until present day.
The mother of the children is Defendant Su~an M. Rillo
Gurrently re~iding at ~B06 Rathton Roadl Camp Hill, Pennsylvania,
She i~ married,
The father of the children is Plaintiff Joseph A. Rilla,
currently residing at 50 Pine Street, Carlisle. Penn~ylvania.
He is married.
4. The relationship of plaintiff to the children is that of
father. The plaintiff currently resides with the following
personsl
Magdalene Ri 110
Mother
5. The relationship of defendant to the children is that of
mother. The defendant currently resides with the following
persons I
Defendant is believed to reside with her paramour.
6. Plaintiff has not participated as a party or witness, or
in another capacity, in other litigation concerning the custody
of the children in this or another court.
Plaintiff has no information of a custody proceeding
concerning the children pending is a court of this Commonwealth.
Plaintiff does not know of a person not a party to the
proceedings who has physical custody of the children or claims to
have custody or visitation rights with respect to the children.
7. The best interest and permanent welfare of the children
will be served by granting the relief requested because the
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MlVlft..D1._
4'ONORTHSECONOSTREET . PO BOx 1062 , HAllRISBURG, PA ITlOB
17171236,942B . FAx 171'11236,2617
Plaintiff oan provide safety for the ohildren as well as a stable
and loving home environment.
a. Each parent whose parental rights to the ohild have not
been terminated and the person who has physical custody of the
ohildren have been named as parties to this action.
9. Mother has had a history of drug and alcohol abuse
throughout her entire adult life, The mother has undergone
rehabil i tat ion and t roatment for substance abuse for
approximately the post ten years.
10. On various occasions during the first year of the
parties', separation I the mother became so intoxicated while
visiting the father's sisters in Carlisle that she had to be
driven home by another adult.
11, The children have reported to their father that their
mother was driving them to piano lessons and fell asleep at the
wheel and drove the car off the road. The children have further
reported that this has occurred on several occasions.
12. The mother has recently been hospitalized on two
separate occasiOIlS in an incoherent condition due to an alcohol
induced stupor.
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13. On approximately May 19, 1994 the parties' three
children had softball games and the mother drove the children to
their separate games. The mother insisted upon driving the
children despite the oldent child's protestations that she was
afraid to get into the car with her mother due to her fear that
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MIVI"'. Of.fOII
4.0NORTHSECONDITREH . po BOX'OOI ' HARRISBURG, PA '710B
17II12J6,0410 . FAX Iml1J61ell
her mother waa intoxicated. On that aame date, the softball
coach's wife, Michelle Hale, diacovered the mother in her car in
an incoherent and apparently intoxicated atate. The ambulance
waa called and the mother was transported to the fifth floor of
the Holy Spirit Hospital, which is the Medical Detoxification
Unit. The mother was determined to be unconscious and incoherent
from alcohol and perhaps drug use,
14. The f.ather learned of this incident when he called the
children at their mother's home to say goodnight and the
children's softball coach answered the phone. The father
thereafter went to stay with and care for the children, After
the children were In bed t.hat night, the mother was released from
the hospital and returned to the marItal residence where ahe was
physically and verbally abusive to the father.
15, On the following day, the father informed the mother
that if she did not go into rehabilitation for her substance
abuse problem, that he would petition the court to obtain custody
of the children. Additionally, father contacted John Maxton of
New Insights, which is an outpatient rehabilitative care center,
to inquire about inpatient rehabilItation for the mother.
16. Approximately a week later on or about May 28, 1994 the
mother went into an inpatient psychiatric and drug and alcohol
abuse unit at the Newport News Memorial Hospital in Newport News,
Virginia. Mother remained in inpatient care in that unit for
approximately 28 days.
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MlYl"l. DlI~
410 NORTH SECONO STREET . POBOX 1062 . HARRISBURG, PA 17106
11171236,9428 , FAXI1111238,2BJ7
17. During the mother's inpatient csre in Newport Newa,
Virginia, it was arranged that the maternal gtandparenta would
stay with the children during the week at the marital residence
until achool waa out (:or the aummer, During that time, the
ohildren apent their weekends with their father. Following the
end of the school year, the children have apent virtually the
entire swmner living with their father and in his care.
lB, The father currently resides with his mother in her
home \Ind has resided there f.or approximately the past two years,
The children have traditionally lived with their father, at their
grandmother's home, during the summer months. The father's
mother is retired and stays at home all day with the children.
Additionally, the children have plenty of activities at the
grandmother's residence, including visits with their cousins,
horseback riding and swimming.
19. On SundaYI August 7, 1994 the oldest and youngest child
were visiting at a neighbor'S house and thereafter returned to
their mother's residence to find their mother in an incoherent
state and apparently an alcohol-induced stupor. The children ran
to a neighbor'S house for assistance and the neighbor called 911
and thereafter the ambulance transported the mother to the fifth
floor, medical detoxification unit of the Holy Spirit Hospital,
The father elicited information from the assisting neighbor and
was informed that the neighbor found the mother in an ,incoherent
state and called the ambulance, The mother was unable to tell
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MIVI~' . DI.,OII
"0 NORTH 'F.COND STREE! . POBOX 1062 , HARRISBURG PA '7108
"'71238,9428 . fAX 1I1)'23e,2Bl) ,
the medioal teohnioian~ the proper year or day of the week and
was taken to the hospital. The neighbor indicated to the father
that the mother snlelled of alcohol,
Immediately following this incident, the father took the
children to stay with him at his mother's re~idence.
20, 'l'he mother has since returned home from the ho~pital
and the father has reason to believe that the mother may attempt
to obtain physical custody of the Ghildren.
21. Father files this Complaint for Emergency Physical
Custody due to his concern for the safety and welfare of his
children. He is concerned that the mother may transport them
while in an intoxicated state and cause them physical harm.
Additionally, the father feels that the children may suffer
emotional and psychological damage by being in the presence of
their mother while she is in an incoherent and/or intoxicated
condition.
22. since the time of the parties' separation, custody of
the children has been shared between the parties. Prior to the
incident in May, 1994, father was aware of the motherls
history of substance abuse, however, she was in outpatient
care and father believed that mother had discontinued her use
of alcohol, In light of recent events, the mother's
abuse of alcohol has apparently started up again and
father is concerned about the safety and well being of his
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MIVlftl. DllfOIl
410 NORTH SECOND STREET . POBOX '06' . HARRISBURG, PA 1110B
17171236,8418 . FAX 11171136,IB' 7
JO~EPH A. RILLa,
I'lnlntlll'
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v.
: NO, 94-44751994
SUSAN M, RILLO,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION. LA W
IN CUSTODY
DEFENDANT'S Al'iliWJm TO PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT FOR
.AWAIUl QEEMEI{GENCY qJSTODY
AND NOW, comes Dcfendllllt. Susan M, Rillo, hy and thmugh her allorney, Mario
I', Cognelli, and respecllhlly suhmits this Answer to Plaintil1's Complalntlbr Award of
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Emergency Custody as lbllows:
2.
Admilled,
3.
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Admilled in purl. Denied In purt. It Is denied thutthe children huvti'eslded
with either Pluintiff or Delendant uttheir respective residences from Januury I, 1991 until
the present day, By way of cia rill cation, the date ofseparution ofthc parties is January 7,
1991. Furthermore. during the Ilrst year llfthe parties' sepamlion. the Plaintiff exercised
inconsistent und infrequent visitation with Ihe children, ThereuHer, the Plulntilrhas hod
visitation with the children on weekends.
4. Admilled,
S, AdmItted.
6, Admitted,
7, Denied. It is denied thullhe hestllllerest und permunent wellitre anhe
children will he served hy grunling Ihe rellefreyuesled hy Pluinlll)', lothe contrury, it Is
In Ihe childrcn's hcsllntcrcstthul custody rcmuln wllh Defendunl. Delcndunt hus
provided n snfe, stnhlc und loving homc cnvironmcnlli1l'Ihc pustlhrcc ycurs, In IUCI,
whllc Inlhe custody of Plulnlifl: thc chlldrcnurc frcyucntly unsl.lpcl'viscd. cxposcd 10 ({.
rutcd movies. lutc Il1l' doctor uppoinlmcnls. and onc child hilS misscd Ihrcc 10 ll!llr muth
IUloring scssions in which shc is partlcipaling this summcr,
K, Admiucd,
9, Dcnled, II is spccifically dcnled Ihal Dclcndunl hus hud II history of drug
nnd ulcohol ubusc Ihroughout hcr cnlirc udulllilC. II is thrlhcl' dcnlcd Ihut Dclcndunt hns
undergonc rchuhilitulionund Ireulmcntll1r suhsluncc nbuse (i) I' Ihc pustten ycurs, On Ihc
cOnlrnry. Dclcndunt hus undergone trentmcntlllr upproximntcly six ycnrs and is currcntly
under thc curc and Ircntmclll of Dr, John Mil'll und Dr, Nntnlle Berger, Furthcrmore,
Pluintiff hus u long history of drug und nlcohol uhuse, Plnintilrhus hccntreuted In un In.
puticnllilcillly Illr his drug und ulcohol prohlems, Moreover. Plaintlffhus hccn convicted
ofcocninc posscsslon, lnuddition, Plulnllfl's mothcr hns u history ofulcohol nbusc und
hils been treated in the past for her uddictlOI1,
10. Denied. It Is spedl1cully dcnled thut Del\mdunt became so Intoxicated on
various uccusiol1~ while visiting Ihc Pluinlill's sislers in Curllsle Ihal she hud 10 be driven
home by unolhcr udull. Online uccusiun, Defcndunt wus drlvcn homc hy unother adult.
Morcover, this incident occurred upprUXin\lllely three ul1d one-hull' )leurs ugo und
Delendunt volunlurily soughl treulmcnt scvcrnl duys uHcr Ihis incidcnl occurrcd,
II. Dcfendunllucks knowledge or infonnuliol1 SUmcienllO form u bellefus to
whut the childrcnlold I'luinlilT. llowever, II is specilicully denied thul Delendunl ever
lellusleep ullhe wheel of u cur while driving Ihe children 10 piulll) lessons or on uny olher
oceusion,
12, Denied. It is denied Ihul [)cfcndunl hus bccn hospiluli~,ed onlwo scparatc
occasions, Dcfendunl wus never hospltulizcd ovcr nighl. On bOlh Ihc Ml\Y, 1994
occllsion and Ihe Augusl 7, 1994 occusion, Dcfendunl wus releus'~d fromlhc hospil111 on
the sl1mc duy,
13, Adllliued in parI. Denied in purl. II is udl11illed thut Delendunl wus
lrunsporled lolloly Spiril HospilUI. II is specilicully denh:d Ihal Defendanl was
transported 10lhe Medical Deloxiliculion IInil. It is furlher denied Ihal Dclendant's
condition wus euused by drug use, In lilCl, Delendant was suffering from panic alll1cks
which cllused her to tUn! to ulcohol, Dclcndunt wus udmllled to the Emergency Room
und releused the SUIllC duy, Currently, Delcnduntls undergoing treutmcnt und no longer
sullcrs lhullthe unxiety Illlucks,
14, Denied. Defenduntlucks knowledge llr Information sull1cientto fortll u
belief us to how Plaintitl'leurned of this incident. It is specit1cally deniel\thutl.)elcndunt
wus physicully and verbllliy abusive to Plalntitf. In lilcl. Pluintiff refuscd to leuvc
Oelcndunt's hOllle utler being asked severllltlmes by I )elcnduntto leuve,
15. Admitted with c1urification,
16, Admitted with clarification, The name of the unit where L>elcndunt
underwenttrelltment is the Women's TruumlllJnlt of the Coloniulllospitul in Newport
News, Virginia,
17, Admitted in part. Denied in part. It is udmilled thut during Defendunt's
inputient cure in Vlrginill, the childrcn were in the care of their maternal grandparents at
the marital residence until school was out. It is denied thlltthe children have spent
virluully the entire sunllller living with their lilther. In tilct. the children havc spent equul
time during the summer with PluintilT and Delcndillll,
18. Denied. It is denied thutthe children huve traditionally lived with their
lather during the suml11er months, The purties share equul time with the children during
the Kummer. Furthermore, Ills believed thutullbough l'luhlllll's molher Is "retired", /lho
does not SIUY home ull du)' wilh Ihe children, Inlhcl. when In l'hllnlHl's cuslody,the
childrenure inlhe home wllhoUI supervlsiollund/or wllh llIinor cousins, while Ihelr
grundmolher is helieved 10 he wlll'killll In Rillo's reslUlIl'IlII1. On one oCCUSIOll. lhe purtles'
seven )'eur old duughlcr culled Dc\emlunllll 10:30 P,I1\, lolell her Ihul she wus ulol1c In
her rulher's home. Moreovcr. inthc pUSI. lhe children huvc been "hunglng oUI" In !lillo's
reslllUl"lInl unlilmidnlghlor hiler,
19, Admllled in purl. Iknled In purl. Ills udmllled Ihull )c1endnnl wus
lrunsporled lolhe 1101)' SplrilIlosplllllon August 7.1994, This Incident wus Insllgulcd
b)' u eomhlnullon ormedlcutlons which wcre prcscribed b)' Dr, John Mlrn, In lhct, Dr,
Mlru hus provided u leller 10 Delendunl's counsel reglmling Ihe slUtu~ or Ddendunl's
condition, (Alluched us Exhibit "A") As Indiculed In the leller. Detendunl sullers from u
biologlcul depression und Is currentl)' lllklng medicutlon und ullendlng weekl)' therupy
sessions lo treut her condlllon. A mediclnc wus udded 10 her lreulment which hud II
"delelerious effecl" In comblnullon wllh unlllher medlcullon, Dr, Mint believcs lhlll "lhc
side effeCl orlhe mcdlcutlon", wus lhe Insllgulor orllktendunt'sl need to rcuch Ii.lr
alcohol mld wus II speclul clrcumslunce wlthollt which her ulcoholuse would likely nol
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have occurrcd." (Dr, Mlrn's Icller. pagc I) DclCndunl's llIedlculion hus been subslunllull)'
chllngcd to Ilvoid uny futurc side ellcclK or rCllctlons. Furthermorc, Kince this limc,
Pllllntill'hlls tllken the chlldrcn10 IIvc with himllnd hils dcnied Delcndllnl conlllct with
thc ehlldrcn. including uny surlof vlsitution, Delcndunt hus continuully und eonslslently
asked Pluinllffto see the chlldrcn und Pluinlitlhus refused hcr visits with the ehlldrcn.
20, Admitted wilh c1urllicutilln, Dclcndunt wus rcleused Iromthe hospitulon
Ihc sume duy, Ills l\trther udmitted thut(klcndunl desires to reguln physicul custody of
thc purties' ehildrcn,
21, Delcnduntlllcks sulliclent knowledge und/or infonnulion us to the reusons
Pluintlff HIed his Compluint lill' Emergency Physicul Cuslody, Further. Dclcndllntlucks
knowlcdge us 10 Plulnlin's fcelings und ellnCel'llS, Ilowcvcr, Ills dcnied thUI Defcndunt
ever hus ll'UnSpOrlcd the children while inanlntoxiculcd stule, It is further denied lhutthe
dlildrenmuy suncr cmolillnul und psychlllogicul dumuge, Dclcndunt is currently under
the cure und trelltmcntof Dr, Jllhn MIl'll und Dr, Natulie Bergcr, The children ure in no
danger of cmolionul und psychologicul dumuge. howevcr slleh dumage muy llCCllr should
Pluinlill cllntinue to dcny f)cfcndunl uny contucl wllh thc chlldrcn,
22, Dcnied, It is dcnied thUI sincc the limc of the parlies' sepamtion, ellstody of
the children hus been shured, tnlilct. the children huve residcd prlnHu'lly with thc
Delcndunl. Mllrcllvcr, it is denied thutDetcndunl's ubllse llf uleohol has slurted up ugain.
JOHN ,., MIItA, />1,0,
IIl~'1 OU"'"1l
..~u., .'UH .~D IDO~''''~'
'I\'C~I~'"
<:1.1'11'1 0, lOON I", MIW
..u.., 1101. .."UU'H'
'''IlHOrHIIA''.,
lUlU 104 IoIIDIIIA~ AI,. "Oq
no ,.;I'~~' OHU.O H 10AI
IIAIoI, ~IL~ ,,. "III'
,.,'~Hllh" ''''I ,"'IU
AI~n'a~ 1t5, lnll
M.r~a P. cognlttl, Attor~vy at Luw
IJi-1311 W~ln~~ Strw.t
~.u." h nurQ, rJA 1711llZ
'U" Bunn Illllu
O.ar MI. COnn.ttll
Thll l.ttur II wr~ttDn I~ ur~.r to Oo~um.nt thl ut~tu. 0' Mrl. eu,~~
'Hllll HI IlIW uffLc". M"~. IHIIO ha~ ~ntll..d t"'ol~u"t with u. I/ond
allo with Or, Nlltal III a"'Il""1 (WIth whom 1 wo~'h cluGulyl 111 o.-dul" tu
dhll with the p,yC:III.IILlIlIc:lli IOU'.'" III Iw,' Hf.. that holY. C:llntt'1bIJhd
tu h.r dlrtlcult~11 In ~~I"t.lnl~1l hI'" N~rrlllg. and h.r Itv.1 of
'~II\c:tlo" and ill.1l ~IJ t,,~, alr.:ohllL u... ~h YOI"l hnll... l~rG. RILlu !'lIu.ntly
WI" hUlpltollllud fur hu,' alcuhul u~o Pond dep"tl'lun. Elhe wall
dlllc:hl1"\1el:l frill. thollt hu'pl~"II~Ltti'lIl with II pt'l..ar-y dll/ollllUll. of
D.pr.lllo" which h., uHl,tud fur ~~~y yellr. ., wuLL ., M hlltory uf
l~tlt'lI\ltt~~t . I r.:llh II I lao. ~(el' I1ICllhlll 'UN I' CLlllll,h,r.d to 1.If tlWl'
o~ly .,-,tI.t.llce uf IldOIc:tlo~ GIIIC:' dn'lI <In hM' b".n If, p,'obltN which
hall Illnll 'I~a. aUII" 'JII\I.." ~llnla'LlI m...~y y..rl .\10.
~Irl. 'Hllo ...lU &lllIn l~ Ul"ll' uffl!:e ~lIltUlly o~ J..ly a, 1'194 ."d .Inel
thllt t 1.0 hll'~ beUIl tlU~ lln JIJly ;i:3, "IlO A'.\lult '), li'l4. A. 1
InOlc.ttll ,h. IH.\G "llu Gt41r'tt<l 1"DI"lI,w thlt'apy with 0". 8vrlil.r and h4l1
.r:h.dl.llttJ l'Ol1uL~I' wl/wldy ttHlr.py ulI'.ILlnll In Lll'dll... to Illtllnlllvtly ""11'11
to unc.lll....t"n~ hit. IImuHo~.1 01110 <levI lopmo~tl\l .Kp",'19nCVI I/ond how thlY
hllvlI Itff~ctlO h~,' In 1'~I.tlall tu hl/r C:'J!'I'wnt "If'fI ':I"llhll.. M,'" Rilla
dO"I IlilV" ., IJlulogu; d"JJt'IIG.~un ,,~u IlIll ...al dllehll"u.d on ""
.ntl-dllpl'1I1..\nt Iftlldl!:iltlull fl'l)ln IlWI' l'lIl~~~t ho.plt..ll.atlu~. O'~" .atn
tall" 1n our offico ~, tu ~o~ltQr th~t N.dic~tIQ~ II~O w. havw blun
tl'yl"Q tll lIal<ll ~OJl.llt"II"t~ WItt' It In OI'(JIt' tll dllr.:"lIalll .lllll.ty l.v.I"
...hl~h h.,vu bllln "lall oI\lo~[l wItt'. hitI' ~tp"o"IQn. 0.", Inlt 1.1 Mttuptl
tll 1I\'lIll..~t Mr'" ftlllu' ~ Ioll\;<lltty ~,'u",tmllnt wa'J tll add II mfdl~l~lI cdllc:l
euGp~r which Ib e non-~vdlctlvll ~nlt-~nKillty Nlldl~ln., Thll
"lIdlC1,)tl'l~1 I1UWl/VI" 1\.\<.1 oA dlll...t"'IOI., IIffll"t ll~ lIu,' In C:llllbl,"stllln
with hII' a~t I-d..p""....~t (lHfli~ol.l. Thlt Iff..et I ~ ~, &\ 1'lllIlt of
IIKtun~lv" 'ol'ato~ln L"IRm.~tj.\t~Ll~ "nil t1lthllugl1 1I\".ltqlant In O<1C:'lt'I'lIna.
IS wIll k~ow to c~lao InC1t'UIIIII\!l &\OltL\tla~, r"ClIl\g of ttlul.l\lht"
dl'la"e""I~l\tILl~ 'If tllLl'JOht. 1I11d l~c"lta,I~A IlIvwlt I)f ."~I.ty. 1'1"1.
Hilla r.cI"tly vKplrlllna.<.I the lutt." 'YllptUNU ~n<.l trlwd to <.1..1 with
thll v.ry unr.:omrortabl. rrlQhtonlllQ IMp.rlllno. with thll II.' of
j.\\QlIhlll. 1h. .~U. tff.~ of \hll ..~lD__J~" , _.,~.v. w.. ~n.
1111' LIIIU"I' 0' hll" "..d to 1'.11,," fa" _\1I0nll\ IInlt wa. .. .,.,,~.)
u~~.W..,.~c. without w~lah h.l' ~lou~u ...... would 1Ik.\y 1\01 h.VI
oc:c\J"....<l.
JOSEPH A. RILLO,
PLAINTIFF
V.
SUSAN M, RILLO,
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
94-4475 CIVIL TERM
CUSTODY
ORD~R OF COURT
AND NOW, this 15th day of August, 1994, following a chambers conference
with counsel pursuant to the order of August 9, 1994, IT IS ORDERED THAT:
(1) The court order of August 9, 1994, shall remain In effect pending
conciliation.
(2) The mother, Susan M, Rlllo, shall have supervised periods of temporary
physical custody with the three children In the presence of her companion, Mark
Williams, These periods shall occur each week from 7:00 p,m, Sunday through 8:00
p,m, Tuesday,
(3) The children shall continue to attend Good Shepherd parochial scl100\.
(4) During the period of time each week when the children are with their father
he shall arrange for one occasion In which they call and ar
mother,
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I..~ lJlIl~'" III
M....., I! <',"/oI"I'lIi
II I' It.., fit'"
Ilulll~hllrll, l'I'IlIl~~I\"III,1 111111< Ilhl<'!
.
\
,
,
S. Admillcd,
6. Admlltcd.
7. Denied, It IH denied Ihutthc hcstlnlereHI und pcrmuncnl wcllurc ufthc
childrcn will hc Ncrvcd by grullllng Ihc rclicfrc'lUCslcd hy Pluinlill'. To lhe cunlrury, II is
inlhc children's bcstlntercsllhut custody rcmuin with Dclcndunl. Dclcndunt hilS
providcd II slIle, stuble IInd Illving hlllllC cnvlronmcllIli)r thc pustlhrec YCllrs, In luel,
while Inthc cusllldy llf Plulntl n: thc childnm IIrc frequcntly unsupervised, exposcd to R-
rulcd Illovlcs, IUlc lilr doctor uppulnllllcnts, und onc child hus misscd thrce lolbllr llluth
tutoring scssions in which she is Jlurliciputlng Ihls summcr,
I!, Admitted.
lJ. Dcnled. It Is spcclllcully dcnled thUI Dclcndunt hus hud u history of drug
und uleohol uhusc lhroughout hcl' cntire udulllilc, It Is litrlher dcnied thut Dclendunt hus
undcrgone rchubllilutlon und tl'Cutlllcnl till' substuncc uhusc fi)r the Jlllslten ycurs. On thc
cOlllrnry, Ilclcllllunt hus undcrgllnc trcutlllcnt fill' upproxlmulcly six ycurs und is currcntly
1II1llcr the curc 1I11d tl'cutmcnlol'l k John Mil'll und Dr, NUlulic Bcrgcr. FUl'thermore,
Plulnllff hus u IUllg hlstlll'Y uf drug und ulcllhol ubusc. Pluinllff has becnlreuted in un in-
pUllcnl filclllly till' his drug und ulellhol problems, Morcovcr. Pluintiffhus bccn convictcd
uf cucuine posscssion, Inllllditil.ln, I'lulntin's Illllther hus u hlslory of uleohlll ubllse und
has been trculcd In the pustli.lr her uddlctlllll.
10. Dcnlcd. II is spccll1eully dcnied thut Defendunl becumc slllntllxiculcd 1m
vurious lIccusillns whilc visiting thc Pluintin's slstcrs In Cllrllslc thut shc hud III bc driven
hllme by unothcr udult. On one lIeeusion, Dclcndmll \VIIS drivcn homc hy IInother udu1t,
Moreovcr, lhls incldclll occurrcd upproxillllllcly thrcc und onc-hulfycllrs ul!llund
Dclendunl vllluntllrily soul!httrclltlllcnt scvcrnl duys utlcr lhis incldcnllleeurred.
II. [)clcndunl hIcks knowlcdgc or inlill'lllutlon sufliclent 10 till'lllU hcllcf us to
whut the ehildrcn tllld Pluintitl'. llowcvcr, (I is spedlieully denied IhullJclcndunt cver
lell uslecp utthc wheel of u cur whllc driving lhe childl'cnto piuno lessons or lIn uny othcr
oceusilln.
12. Dcnicd. It is denied thUl Dcfcndunl hilS bccn hllspilullzcd on lwo scpllrllte
occllsions. Dclendunt wus ncvcr hospilulizcd liver night. On bllth lhc Muy, 1994
oceusionund the August 7, 1994 oeeusion, Delcndunt wus rcleuscd Irllm till: hosJlitul on
the sumc duy.
13. Admitted in purt. Dcnied In purl. It is udmittcd thut Dclendunt wus
tl'Unsportcd to Holy SpiritlIospltul. It is spcd Iiclllly dcnlcd thllt Detcndant WIIS
tl'Unsported to the Mcdieul Detoxitieutllln Unil. It is tllrthcr denicd thut Detcndunt'K
condition \Vus euuscd by drug use, In fuet, Detcndunl wus suffcring Irlllll punic uttllcks
which cuuNcd hcr to lllm 10 u!cohol. Delimdunt wus udmilled 10 Ihc Emergency Room
und relcuNcd lhc Mumc duy. Currcntly,l>clendunl is undergoing IrCUllllcnt und no longcr
sullers 'rom Ihc lInxicl,y ullucks,
14, Dcnied, Dctcnduntlueks knowledgc or Intill'll1ullon sullicienllolill'lll u
bcllcfus to how I'lulnlill'leurned oflhls Incidcnl. It is spccilieully denlcd thUl l>elendunl
wus physicully und vcrbully ullusive 10 PlulntilT In tuct, Plulntiffrcluscd tolcuve
Dclendunt's home uncr bclng uskcd scvcrnltimcs by DctendunlllllclLve.
15. Admlttcd wllh c1urlJiclIlilln,
16. Adlllillcd with cJuriJiCUtillll, Thc n[\Jlle of the unit whcrc Delendunt
underwenttreulmcnt is the Womcn's TruulllulJnlt ofthe Coloniulllospllul in Ncwport
Ncws, Virginiu,
17. Admittcd in parI. Dcnicd in purl. It is udmittcd thut during Delendunt'K
inpulicnt cure in Virginia, the childrcn were in the care oflhcir mUlcrnul grundpurcnts ul
lhe murilul residcnee unlil school wus ouL It is denicd thai the childrcn havc spcnt
virtually lhc entire summer living with their luthcr, In Itlc!. thc children havc spent cquul
time during the sUlllmcr wilh PlulnlilTlIlId Detendunl.
18, Dcnicd. It is denicd lhullhe childrcn huve lrudilionully lived with their
father durin!! thc summel' Illonths, The purties shure cquultime with the childrcn durin!!
the summer. Furthermore, it Is believcd thutulthough 1'lulntill'M mother 1M "retired", Mhe
docs not sluy homc ull duy with thc chlldrlln, In Iilct, whcnIn I'luinllll's custody, lhe
chlldrcn ure in thc home without supervisionund/or wilh minor ellusins, while lhelr
I!rundmother Is hclicvcd to h~ wurking In Rillo's I'cstuurunl. On one oeeusion, the partics'
scvcn year old duughlcr eullcd Dcfcndunlul 10:30 p.m. 10 tell hcr tllUl shc was alonc in
hcr lathcr's hOllie, Morcover, in the pust, lhe chlldrcn huvc bccn "hunglng out" in Rlllo's
rcstaunlnt until midnight or IUlcr,
19. Admillcd In purl. Denicd in purl. It is udlllitted thllt Detendunt wus
transportcd to the Ilol}' Splril Ilospllulon August 7, 1994, This incidcnl wus instigutcd
by u combinution of medlcutlllns which were prcscribcd by Dr, Jllhn Mlru. In tact, Dr.
Mira hus providcd u ICllcr tll Dclcndunl's eounscl regurdlng thc Slulus of Dclcndunl's
condition. (Alluehcd as Exhibit "N) As indieutcd Illth~~ leller, Dclcndunl suflcrs from a
biological dcprcssllln and is currcntly taking mcdieutionund ullending wcek1y lherapy
scssions to treat hcr condition. A medicine wus addcd 10 hcr treulmelll which hud U
"delcteriouK cffcet" in combination with IInothcr mcdicalion, Dr. Mira believcs t1lUt "Ihe
side cftccl of thc medlcutlon . , , wus thc instigator llf lOctcndulll's Inecd to rcaeh Ihr
alcohol and wus u special cireumstllnee wilhoul which her ulcoholuse wlluld likely not
huve oeeurrcd." (Dr, Miru's ICller, page I) Delendant's mcdieation has becn subslantiully
chunged to uvoid uny luturc side ellecls or reuctionM. Furthermore, slncc this time.
I'lulntlll'huK taken lhe children to live with him und hus dcnlcd DclendulIl contuct with
the ehildrcn. including uny sorlol' vlsilatlon. Dclcndllnl hus continually IInd consistently
uskcd I'luintltl'to scc Ihc chlldrcn und I'llIintill'hlls rcfused her visits with the children.
20, Admitted with c1l1ritieuliun, Delcndllnt wus rc1cllscd Irlllllthe hllspltulon
the sumc duy. It is l\trlhcr udlllittcd Ihlll Delcndllnt dcsircs tllreguln physical custody of
the purtics' chlldrcn,
21. Dclcndantllleks suflicicnt knowledgc und/or Inlimlllltion us to the reusons
Plulnti 1'1' t1Icd his COlllpluintliJr Emcrgcney I'hysicul Custody, Furlhcr, Dclcndunt lucks
knowledge us to Plllintitl's leclings IInd Cllncerns. lI11wcvcr, it Is denied thllt Dclcndunt
cvcr hus trunsporlcd thc ehildrcn whilc Inlln intoxiclltcd Slutc. It is furthcr dcnicd thutthe
chlidrenllluy suncr cmolillnalund psyeholllgical dlllllagc, Dctcndant is eurrcnlly undcr
the cure uod trcatlllcntof Dr, John Mira IInd Dr. Nlltalic Bcrgcr. The childrcn urc in no
dungcr of cmotionlll und psychological dUlllage, howcver such dumugc lllay occur should
Pluinliff conlinue 10 deny [)elcndunluny eOlllllct with the ehildrcn,
22, Denicd, It is denied thllt since the tilllc of lhc purtics' scpurution, custody of
the children has becn shared, In titct, thc ehildrcn huvc residcd primarily with the
Dclcndunt. Morcovcr, il is dcnicd that Detcndul\I's ubusc of ulcohol hus slarled up uguin.
"
JOHN ,., MIM, M,O,
'Il~" 0:'."'"11
.,~'~.' .DUl.f .~D ,.DOL....N'
"'C~I~'.'
ClI.AII'1 D IOONI". Maw
.OUl.r ~HD ~DO""ClH'
"'CloDrNIDA".,
lUlU 104. ~IDIII"~ AD" I..Oq
"II ,.;I,.U CNU.OH lOAD
0:."" HI.~, 'A 11111'
.-'.,
U...~Hllh" "'71 ,,,.,,..
AI~l1'a~ I !:It 1..,11
MArLa P. coun.ttL, Attor~IY .t L~w
lJi-LJII W~ln~t Strw.t
~Mrr~lhurQ, PA L7~0Z
~f.1 Bu~an Mlllu
O...r MI. COR'\Ut II
ThLI I.ttur II wrltt'" In ur~.r to oo~u~vnt th~ ut~tu. 0' Mrl. eu.~~
'hllll I" IlIJr uffLCIf, M"~, 111110 ha~ ~l1tl"ld t"Uolt~t11t wLth UI land
.110 With Or. NatelLll 81t'lIlr. (V41Ih whom 1 WOt'" dlluulyl 111 order 'co
dul wLth the plYC:tllllllgLcaL IHI.'~I 111 Ilv,' ILl'. th.t I)"v, tluntt'lblJhd
to h.r Ol'flcultlll In .~lnt.lnLnu hII' ~..rrIAg. .~d h.r l.vII 0'
'u~ctlon and ,,1111 tu hvt' alr.ohllL un. .)1 yo" kllUV4 I~ru. Rlllu ".U'r'\tly
Will hOIPIUIH:nd fur hot' alcohlll \lU And dup'....LU~. She wu
dLijcharllVd frll~ th~t ho.pltall~~tllln with A prlDlAry dllA~~UIII of
Deprt.'Lon which hat vHI,tvd fur .~ny y.~rD a. wull .1 M h~ltory uf
l~t"'I\1tt,,~t .lcuhul tall. ~t~., lllcllhol 'ati II r.u~lldllr.d tIll III ',li.'
o~Ly lullltancD U" fAdOLctloll oLnc. dnlU un hM~ bun A p,'otlllll which
hat lU"ll ulnclI cu~v undlfr c:untrul m..~y ".1"1 ayo.
~Ir.. fHlLo wall nlln III UUI' ufflco L~ltl.lly on July a. 199ft and ILllal
that t Llnu hl.\'~ b01l1l IUU" un July ;,':3, l1~oj AI.lllult 'l, L~'l4. A. 1
IntHeAt.d oh. hllu &11111 utfAr.tlu .'.oul,,,' ttllt'apy with D.,. elirlllr alld hAI
lr:llll<II.lltrJ I'OD"L~I" wlollolldy ttw,'.py Ufl,.lon~ In I,n'dN' to 11I~lfn~lv.ly wurll
to unOlrltllnd hor um(jtI0~1l1 I.mu dvvvlopmlll1tolll vKp""~OIlC:II Mild how thliY
hl1vII ..ff~ct't1 hUt' Ln ,'vl....t lOll tll hllr ~'.l"I'ullt ..'I fflr.:ult I.n, H.'... Rllll:l
dOVI hAve II lllUlolllC dlllJ"ti~~L<J1I MIlU !lhv wal U~~clloll"U'U on an
A~tl-d..prlll~nt mlldLcGtLulI from hvr r.ae~t hOlpltAL~zatLu~. Our .aln
tL\lk In OUI' oHlco II tCJ 11011ltg,' tlliAt I..dlc....tlu~ a~c.I w. hl\\l1 bt.,1I
t"Ylnll tll Ilako 1l0JUltllv,H.. Wltt\ Lt In <It'd.,, tu dvy.....o .I1HI.ty 1.\1.1.
which h~vv bllln hil]h oII1o~1l V4Ltr hiI' ~Ip"olllgn. 01.1" Inltl"l Mttumptl
tll elJlI~I~~ M,'" /llllot.. Ol'H<lvty ~""i!tmvnt V4a'~ tu add &I udlc.:I~. c:"Il.d
eIJ6ptU' which Ib It I)On-LlCldlct .v~ tlnlt,....nKlvty IIvdl~lIlf, Thll
lI11cJlcitt Lll~, t,uwlIv.r /I.u! .. d.,lloltlf"lo'a Ifff.,..'t u~ hur In c:ullllll1at lun
with hor .lItl-d.pr.....lI1t mtfli~url, 'fhll Iff.tlt 1& III a "liIU\t of
IINtltlllLvw 11I1'iAtll~ln t"'"mllltatlon dnCl illthll"lIh Il1ft'''ql.llt~t Ln Ol;'CIJ,.t'lfnca
~. WIll k~o.. to 1..'11\1.110 II1t:"lIl1llng oIIQltat lon, N\t:ll1l1 (jf tt'"ullhh.
dl'~orll.\nl~Atlu~ I)f tlll:j'JOht~ L1nCl IIlt:rlol/.\II~lI llfVII11 Ill' Il~NI'ty, Mt'l.
Rilla r.cuntly vKpvrl.llc:.d tha lutt.r ly~ptUIIU Il~d trLld to dll.1 wLth
thLI ....ry I,lllc:omfurtabl. f"lQlltunLnll aKper'LunC:1I with IIh. u.a Qf
IA\O"tHl\, 11'101 .\ua eU." of \hll .......Ul..." \ ".H.... W_. \1'1.
Lnlt\Q'uol' 0' hilI" "lIad tl:l rllllCll1 101' _,aono' _n1 w.. .. ..."..)
g\~.u...anQ' wi.hout whiah h.r Mlcuhu ~.. WDU d '\h.\y "II' h~v.
QC;C:llrr,rJ.
, '
* J () '$t'fA II, P;/b 'IN 'rHB COUR'r OF COMMON PLBAS OF
Plaint:Uf 'CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
,
V ,CIVIL AC'l'.rON - LAW
* ".Ao;,;" .\ M ,~\I/.l Defendant ~No,1ll' IN')S CIVIL 19
rCUSTODY /VISn'ATION
ORDER OF COURT
;1'" I:J l1~i'l
AND NOW, this (date)' , upon consideration of the
attached complaint, it is hereby directed that the parties.and
their respective coun!lel appear lJefore )'i ",," '- ( ./I'lllr ~ (,!w,
the conciliator, at c>;),_ (1/ I,?'I~I ',,'1, l( "'''~' .
on thevql\1 day of 1\, "j""; ,'1 '/'1 ,at TIO(')
(l, M., for a Prehear,ing C stody 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, Either
party may bring the child who is tlle subjeot of this custody
action to the conference, but the child/children's attendance is
not mandatory, Failure to appear at the cont~rence may provide
grounds tor entry ot B temporary or permanent order,
,
FOR THE COURT:
~
"V)"
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOU~ LAWYER AT ONCE, IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE
SET FORTH BELOW TO FINO OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
By: '
Custody
OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR
COURTHOUSE, FOURTH FLOOR
CARLISLE FA 17013
(717)240-6200
.
Plaintiff cun provide safety for the children as well as a stable
and loving home environment,
6. Each parent whose parental rights to the child have not
been terminated and the person who has physical custody of the
children have been nBmed ns pnrties to this action.
9. Mother has had a history of drug and alcohol abuse
throughout her entire adult life, 'l'he mot.her has undergone
rehabilitation and treatment for substance abuse for
approximately the past ten years.
10. On various occasiono during the first year of the
parties' separation, the mother became so intoxicated while
visiting the father's sinters in Carlisle that she had to be
driven home by another adult.
11. Tho children hav<~ reported to their father that their
mother was driving them to piano lessons and fell asleep at the
wheel and drove tho car off the road. The children have further
reported that this has occurred on several occasions.
12. The mother hUEI recently been hospitalized on two
separate occasions in an incoherent condition due to an alcohol
induced otupor,
13. On approximately May 19/ 1994 the parties' three
children had softball games and the mother drove the children to
their separate games. The mother insisted upon driving the
children despite the oldest child's protestations that she was
afraid to get into the car with her mother due to her fear that
3
MEYERS. Dl6fOR
"ONORTHSECONDSTREET . PO bOX 1062 , HARRISBURG, PA 17109
171'11236-:)428 . FA:l.lJ171136.2BI7
17. Pu~ing the mother's inpatient care in Newport News,
Virginia, it waa arranged that the maternal grandparents would
stay with the children during the week at the marital residence
until school was out for the sUl1uuer. Oudng that time, the
children spent their weekends with their father, Following the
end of the school year', the children have spent virtually the
entire summer living with their father and in his care.
Ul. 'rhe father currently J:esides with his mother in her
home and has resIded there for approximately the paat two yeara.
The children have traditionally lived with their father, at their
grandmother's home, during the Sllmmer monthu. The father' a
mother is retired and stays at home all day with the chIldren,
Additionally, the children have plenty of activities at the
grandmother's residence, including visits with their cousins,
horseback riding and swimming.
19. On Sunday, August 7, 1994 the oldest and youngest child
were visiting at a neighbor's house and thereafter returned to
their mother's residence to find their mother in an incoherent
state and apparently an alcohol-induced stupor. The children ran
to a neighbor's house for assistance and the neighbor called 911
and thereafter the ambulance transported the mother to the fifth
floor, medical detoxification unit of the Holy Spirit Hospital,
The father elicited information from the assisting neighbor and
was informed that the neighbor found the mother in an incoherent
state and called the ambulance, The mother was unable to tell
t.
:>
MEYERS. DESFOR
410NOfHH SECOND STREET . PO UOX lOOt . HARRISBURG, PA 11108
111/11360418 . fAX 11111136,1811
tho medical technicians the proper y,~ar 0): day of the weak and
Wa~ taken Lo the hoapital. The neighbor indicated to the father
that the mother smelled of nlcohol.
Immediately followinu this incIdent, the father took the
children to stay with him at his mother's residence.
20, 'I'he mother has since J:eturned home from the hospital
and the father has reaoon to believe that the mother may attempt
to obtain physical custody of the children.
21, Father files this Complaint for Emergency Physical
Custody due to his concern for the safety and welfare of his
children. He is concerned that the mother may transport them
while in an intoxicated otate and cause them physical harm.
Additionally, the [ather [eels that the children may suffer
emotional and psychological damage by being in the presence of
their mother while she is in an incoherent and/or intoxicated
condition.
22, Since the time of the parties' separation, custody of
the children has been shared between the parties. Prior to the
incident in May, 1994, fath"r was aware of the mother's
history of substance abuse, however, she was in outpatient
care and father believed that mother had discontinued her use
of alcohol. In light of recent events, the mother's
abuse of alcohol has apparently started up again and
father is concerned about the safety and well being of his
r,
MIYlRB . DlBfQR
410NOI1TH SlCONIl STAll! , I' 0 11m 1062 ' HMlflISIlUAO, PA 1710a
I1I71n6.041R . fAX 11111nU4'HIl
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