F.S. v. B.F. ( 2019 )

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20 ! 9 J��I¥\31-, DISTRICT OF PEm�lsnVANIA
. DOMESTIC
. . RELATIONS DIVISION
BROOKE FREEZEMAN
Appellant
vs. CUSTODY NO. OC1701579
FREDRJCK SNYDER
Appellee 591 EDA 2019
BY: DORIS A. PECHK.UROW, J.
.·. ' OPINION '·
Mother Brooke Freezrnan ("Mother") appeals from the order entered February 4, 2019
concerning the child Jackson Snyder, born January 27, 2017, pursuant to which Paternal
Grandfather Frederick Snyder ("Grandfather") was awarded periods of partial physical
custody with the child.
Procedural Background
Paternal Grandfather Fredrick Snyder, together with Paternal Step-Grandmother Myra
Butkovitz, filed a complaint for custody on November 15, 2017. Mother filed Preliminary
· Objections to same, challenging the standing of Paternal Step-Grandmother, who was married
to Paternal Grandfather. Said Objections were granted by order dated March 28, 2018, and
Step-Grandmother was removed as a party to the case.
A record hearing was then held before a custody master on May 22, 2018, and a
proposed custody order was submitted on June 1, 2018. Paternal Grandfather filed
Exceptions and a hearing on the Exceotions was held October 12, 2018, after which the matter
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was held under advisement so the court could review the transcript from the hearing before
the Master.
An interim order and Summary Opinion in support of same were entered on October
22, 2018, granting Grandfather's Exceptions and directing that the patties submit proposed
schedules for partial custody for Paternal Grandfather by November 16, 2018. The interim
order also contained an interim partial custody schedule for Grandfather.
Mother filed a Motion for Reconsideration on October 30, 2018, which was denied on
October 31, 2018.
On November 14, 2018, Mother filed a Notice of Appeal from the Interim Order,
which was quashed by the Superior Court on December 18, 2018.
:·· I
After filing her Notice of Appeal, Mother served a Notice of Relocation on
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Grandfather, to which he filed a Counter Affidavit and Objection on November 29, 2018.
On January 10, 2019, this court entered an order directing that Mother amend her
proposed custody schedule submitted to the court as directed on October 22nd, which
contained no information about her relocation outside of Philadelphia. Mother then submitted
a second proposed custody schedule on January 25, 2019.
On February 4, 2019, a final order was issued with a discussion of the factors under 23
Pa. C.S.A. §5328(c)(l), concerning an awardof partial physical custody to a grandparent, as
well as a discussion of the applicable factors under §5328(a).
1A custody master conferenced the Objection to Relocation, then took no further action because of the appeal
and the pending disposition before this court. No hearing was scheduled by this court on the issue and Mother
was directed to provide information to this court concerning the details of her relocation, of which she had
never advised this court, notwithstanding the fact that this court was in the process of rendering a final custody ,
order. This court then took the relocation information into consideration when fashioning Grandfather's
partial custody order and did not provide for any additional hearing because Mother's proposed relocation did
not preclude entry of an order similar to one which would have been entered absent the relocation.
2
.
On February 26, 2019 Mother filed the Notice of Appeal from the February 4, 2019
Order as well as a Motion for Special Reliefrequesting a stay of the order pending appeal.
On March 6, 2019, Paternal Grandfather filed a Petition for Contempt alleging that
Mother has failed to produce the child for any period of partial custody since the order was
entered. Said Petition has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
On March 7, 2019, Mother's Motion for Special Relief to stay the order pending
appeal was denied without a hearing.
Factual Background
The testimony before the Master was that the child was born January 27, 2017 and
Father passed away on May 9, 2017, after suffering from an illness.
Grandfather testified that he and his wife lived close to Mother and Father and saw
them approximately every two weeks and helped them paint the nursery. Notes of Testimony,
May 22, 2018, pp. 32, 35. Mother made a small photo album for Grandfather for Father's
Day in 2017, with photos of Grandfather and his two children (paternal' aunt and uncle) as
well as Grandfather and Father. Id. at 34-35.
Grandfather saw the child almost daily after the child's birth because he would watch
the child when Mother went to the hospital to see Father and when Father was released to a
rehabilitation facility, Grandfather continued to see the child regularly, at the rehabilitation
facility or when providing childcare for Mother when she went running or at other times as
needed. Id. at 41, 50. Once Mother returned to work in June, 2017, Grandfather and Step-
Grandmother provided child care two days per week and the other three days the child was in
daycare. Id. at 51.
After July 41h, there was no contact with Mother, until the parties met for dinner on
July 22nd, when Mother said she needed more time. Id. at 54-56. Mother visited with the
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.
child on August 13•h, but no arrangements were made for further contact and the
communications were stiff. Id. at 57-58. The situation remained the same when Mother came
to the beach for a visit with a friend of Grandfather's and at the end of September when
Grandfather visited Mother. During these visits, Mother held the child the entire time, rather
than allowing contact between Grandfather and the child. Id. at 58-61.
The last time Grandfather saw the child was October 2, 2017, when he and Step-
Grandmother were invited to dinner at the home of Maternal Aunt. Id. at 64. Grandfather
wrote a note to Mother on November 4•h, heard no response, then filed the Complaint for
Custody on November lfh. Id. at 65-67.
Grandfather testified he believed the child would be better off with him two days a
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week (as opposed to daycare fulltime). Id. at 101. When questioned further by the Master,
Grandfather said he would defer to Mother's judgment regarding daycare and he would be
flexible about seeing the child at other times. Id. at 103. He further stated that he recognizes
that Mother is the mother of the child and he only wants to be part of it. Ia. at 104.
Mother testified that the child had been enrolled in daycare three days per week until
September, when fulltime care was available, and that she had not planned sufficiently in
advance when she returned to work on June 201b to eruoll the child fulltime. Id. at 109. She
down-played her relationship with Grandfather, saying it was purely based upon Father's
wanting to spend time with Grandfather and that she was uncomfortable with him. Id. at 112.
Her reason for not feeling comfortable with Grandfather was that she met him a few years
after first meeting Father. Id. at 113.
She said she only saw Grandfather occasionally after Father died, that Grandfather
watched the child when she went running on Saturdays, but she stopped that when she went
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.
back to work because she could not run at night and �he could not figure out a schedule and
the child needed a schedule. Id. at 113.
Mother was asked by her lawyer if it was correct that Grandfather said he did not
recall giving the child any kind of foods that upset Mother, she replied, "No," and said it all
began on July 4th at the cookout at Grandfather's Id. at 116-117. She thought Grandfather
was on marijuana because he kept repeating how happy he was to see the child and to not
have to cook. Id. at 118-119. She further testified the child was sitting on paternal aunt's lap
and Father picked up a chip off the table and put it in the child's mouth, which Mother did not
like and said so to Grandfather. lg! at 120. There was no testimony that paternal aunt or
anyone tried to prevent this or that the child coughed or choked on the chip.
Mother testified that Grandfather then put his finger in the child's mouth after
Grandfather had been eating watermelon, and mother said she did not want anything in the
child's mouth, but Grandfather put his finger in the child's mouth again when he was putting
the child in his car seat. Id. at 121-122.
Grandfather denied trying to give the child a chip and said he was holding the child
when the child was sucking on his finger, which apparently had watermelon juice on it since
Grandfather had been eating watermelon. Id. at 74.
. �
Mother testified that the incident caused a break in her trust of Grandfather but there
were no other incidents when Grandfather overrode her decision. Id. at pp. 132-33. Mother
complained that Grandfather and Step-Grandmother made the funeral arrangements for Father
and had the obituary prepared without asking for her input. Id. at 137.
Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal.
Mother states the following as allegations of error on appeal:
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L The trial cowt erred in entering an order grnnting exceptions of F.S. [paternal
grand l'ather] without due regard lo the factors set forth in 23 Pa. C. S. A §5328.
The Summary Opinion dated October 22, 2018 contains a discussion of the findings of
the Master and the February 4, 2019 Order contains a discussion of the factors under 23
Pa.CS.A. §5328( c )(l ), pertaining to an award of partial physical custody to a grandparent, as
well as a discussion of the factors wider §5328(a).
Mother failed to identify any specific factor which was not given due regard. so that
this court could be informed as to which factor to address in this 1925(b) opinion. See In re
A.B., 63 A.3d 345, 350 (Pa.Super, 2013), that the 1925(b) statement of errors, "must be
specific enough for the trial court to identify and address the issue an appellant wishes to raise
on appeal." and if a court has to guess what it is the appellant is appealing, "that is not enough
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for meaningful review." [Citations omitted].
2. The- trial court failed to consider whether an award of the partial custody or
visitation dghts- of grandfather would be in tbe best interest oftbe minor child .
In the October 221 2018 Summary Opinion this court discussed the best interest of the
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child:
Most significantly, Paternal Grandfather is the closest link to his father
that the child can hold onto. The child should not be deprived of this
because Mother disapproved of how Grandfather was interacting with
the child on one occasion. And it cannot be said that Mother will
involve Grandfather in the child's life in the future, based upon the lack
of contact with Grandfather since July, ·2011. Thus, it is in the best
interest of the child to maintain a relationship with Paternal
Grandfather.
Moreover, Mother's parents are deceased so that Grandfather and
Paternal Grandmother are the child's only grandparents. The fact that
Paternal Grandmother was reportedly not told about the child's birth
until some five days later does not lead one to believe her involvement
with the child will be substantial. Absent egregious circumstances,
which are not present here, a child should not. be deprived of the
unconditional love and devotion that only a grandparent can bestow.
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In the February 4, 2019 Order and Opinion, this court examined the child's contact
with Grandfather and the best interest of the child as required by Section 5328(c)(l)(i) and
(iii), respectively, as follows:
The child was only nine and Yz months old when Grandfather
filed his Complaint for Partial Custody, and, tragically, the child 's
Father, Grandfather's son, Jacob Snyder, had passed away on May 9,
2017, when the child was less than four months old. Grandfather visited
at the hospital right after the child was born, helped Mother and Father
paint the nursery, watched the child when Mother went to the hospital to
see Father on an almost daily basis. Notes of Testimony, May 22, 2018,
at 28, 40 and 50. Thereafter Grandfather saw the child on a regular
basis in addition to every Wednesday and Saturday when Mother went
running and once Mother returned to work, he and Step-Grandmother
Myrna Butkovitz provided child care two days per week. N.T. at 187,
189.
Since Paternal Grandfather is the only grandparent who was
involved in the child's life after bis birth, with Paternal Grandmother's
involvement being very little, and since Maternal Grandparents are
deceased, it is concluded that it serves the best interest of the child to
have a loving grandparent involved in the child's life; otherwise, the
child would be deprived of the emotional benefits provided by this
familial relationship.
3. The trial court failed to considerwhetber the partial custody or visitation rights
for the paternal grandfather, F.S., would interfere with the parent-child reJationsbip.
The November 4th order/opinion states the followingfindings under subsection (ii) of
Section 5328(c)(l);
Grandfather primarily sought periods of custody with the child
during the time the child was in childcare, when Mother was at work so
as not to take away from her custody time with the child and the order as
set forth above follows that guideline. There are very limited periods of
custody awarded to Grandfather when the child would otherwise be in
Mother's custody. (Emphasis added).
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In addition, the only instance Mother could cite as to when Grandfather did anything
against her wishes was the potato chip, watermelon incident on the 4th of July.
As noted by the Superior Court in K.T. v. L.S., 118 A.3d, 1136, 1161 (Pa.Super.
2015), citing Nancy E.M. v. Kenneth D. M., 462 A.2d 1386, 1388 (Pa.Super. 1983), a
custodial parent's suspicions of or animosity towards a party seeking partial custody should
not in itself wan-ant denial of same. The appellate court reversed the trial court's denial of
partial custody to paternal grandparents notwithstanding the friction between the parties,
where father was deceased and where there was no consideration of the important
contribution grandparents can make in children's lives. Id. at 1164.
4. The trial court erred in refusing to permit testimony and witnesses offered by
Mother which would be relevant to a custody order considering the welfare and best interest
of the child.
In ruling on Exceptions, the trial court makes an independent review of the record to
determine "whether the hearing officer's findings and recommendations are appropriate."
T.B. v. L.R.M .• 753 A.2d 873, 881 (Pa.Super. 2000). As required by Rule 1915.4-2,
Pa.R.C.P ., "If exceptions are filed, the court shall hear argument on the exceptions ... and
enter an appropriate final order within fifteen days of argument."
Thus, the court was required to review the transcript for disposition of Grandfather's
Exceptions and said transcript showed that the only witness "offered" by Mother, i.e., that she
stated she wanted to call, was Megan, Grandfather's daughter, who was a part-time caregiver.
N.T., 5/22/18 at 255-56. When counsel voiced her concern to the Master that be would not
take testimony from the witness, the Master stated he cut two witnesses because he believed it
would be cumulative. The transcript shows there was no response to this decision of the
Master advising what, if any, testimony not aJready presented would be made by the witness,
such that his conclusion testimony would be cumulative was error. Id. at 255-56.
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At the Exceptions hearing before this court, counsel argued that she was denied the
right to present Megan Snyder, "who could add more into the - what was going on here;"
then, she "would have offered testimony contra-but we were denied that." Notes of
Testimony, October 9, 2018, p. 37.
Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 403, provides that the court "may exclude relevant
evidence if its probative value is outweighed by a danger of one or more of the following: ...
needlessly presenting cumulative e';.�dence." The transcript shows the Master concluded that
the witness testimony Mother's attorney sought to introduce would be cumulative and there
was nothing said by counsel to challenge or otherwise show the conclusion was an error. N.T.
5/22/18, p. 256. Nor did anything that was argued before this court at the hearing on
Exceptions show that the Master' decision was an error.
Mother's own testimony established that she lost trust in Grandfather due to the July
4th incident and there was nothing else she could identify in addition to that incident. She also
testified that the witness Megan was present and counsel made no offer �f proof, nor cross-
examined Grandfather, as to whether the witness saw or heard something not heard or
observed by Mother. Mother's own attorney even conceded that "[m]any of her concerns
may have been unsubstantiated," referring to Mother. N.T. 10/9/18} p. 38.
Thus, Mother testified as to all the circumstances leading to her mistrust of
Grandfather, i.e., the 4th of July incident, and testimony from a witness about "what was going
on here," i.e., presumably what was going on between the parties, would not even be
admissible, aside from being cumulative, if the witness was not called to testify as to what she
had seen or heard.
5. The trial court erred in relying upon the notes of testimony from the custody
master who limited .the number of witnesses that could be present at the custody master's
. hearing.
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,.
This matter was addressed in No. 4 above.
6. The Trial Court erred by ente1ing an order that is excessive and burdensome so
as to interfere with the Parent Child relationship.
Mother testified that the child arrives at daycare at 6:30 a.m., is home at 3:15 p.m. and
in bed at 6:30 p.m., and on weekends, when they have time together) they see friends and
family. N.T., 5/22/18, p. 131. Since the custody schedule is that Grandfather has custody
only on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. (to avoid traveling to the facility during morning rush
hour traffic) to 7:00 p.m. and the first Friday of the month (when Wednesday custody time
would be eliminated), from 10:00 a.m, Friday to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Mother's time with the
child is cut back by only four hours for each of three or four weeks each month, and one
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period of twelve hours, inclusive of s_leep time each month.
Hence, it cannot be concluded that the above described custody schedule is either
excessive or burdensome, particularly since Grandfather provides all the transportation and
· nothing is required of Mother.
7. The trial court erred in failing to consider ,and conduct a detailed analysis. of
the Custody Act's factors relating to grandparents as required by 23 Pa. es .A. §5328.
The factors under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §5328(c)(l) were discussed in the February 4, 2019
Order and Summary Opinion. Moreover, since the child was only nine months old when
Grandfather filed his Complaint for Partial Custody, and there was no real interaction between
the parties after the child was approximately five months old, there are limited facts which
can be discussed, particularly when Mother herself testified that it was the July 4th incident
which caused the disruption between the two parties, as opposed to anything else or any
accumulation of incidents. Thus) it is not possible to produce volumes of discussion when the
underlying facts are very limited.
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In addition) Mother does not cite to any evidence which was not addressed in the
February Summary Opinion) nor does she cite specific fact or incident which was overlooked.
8. The Trial Court erred in failing to elicit and provide the Mother the opportunity
to present testimony and wi1nesses as to Grandfather's inability to care for the child
At the Exceptions hearing before this court, Grandfather appeared in court in a
wheelchair and explained that be was on a tour boat that bit a wave and he was knocked to the
deck and broke bis leg. He expected to see the surgeon in two days, and was looking at about
three to four weeks recovery, with non-weight bearing instructions. N.T., 10/9/18, p. 4.
Grandfather lives with Step-Grandmother who, presumably would be transporting and
caring for the child in any capacity where Grandfather was unable to do so while recovering
from the fall.
Moreover, Mother testified that Grandfather had previously sustained an injury - a
broken back according to Mother- and was in a brace until May, 2017. N.T., 5/22/18, p. 134.
This broken back condition of Grandfather apparently did not render him incapable of caring
for the child when childcare was needed from after the child's birth until July 4, 2017.
In addition, the matter under review is the decision of this court as to whether
Grandfather's Exceptions should have been granted and whether the custody order proposed
by the master was appropriate, based upon the evide�ce from the hearing before the Master
and or whether it was otherwise an abuse of discretion or an error. Grandfather's physical
condition at the Exceptions hearing was not part of the evidence to be considered by the court
in ruling on the Exceptions absent a specific representation, request or pleading to supplement
the hearing before the Master to consider subsequent matters which might have impacted
upon the custody decision.
No such representation, request or pleading was made at the time of the hearing or prior to the
February 4, 2019 order. ·
II
..
the credibilit,' of the ,,ritnesses.
to determine
9.
• 1,caring officer, the trial court makes an
When there is a proceeding before
.
· ·• ' nu
"Whether the hearing ,mcer' - dimgs and
deteon'"c
independ ent reviiew of the record to
tri• c is not empower'- to scroll -guess on
. I .ourt . d
recommeudations arc appropriate" and tne
the issue o f credibility. IB. v. L.R.M·· _
......
753 A· zd 873, 881 (Pa.Super. )lclO)
,,1· , itnesses was callee ir." q"""on
.i.1
· b etore
c.
the
With regard to whether the credibilit)'
ot' r s concerns were1111sllb«•""'te· d but there
of �4 1e'
Master' in hi!SRcport he found that rr,,nY
· ,,er< legi'timate, i.e.,
· thedaY"" ,ssue.
·
was evid ence showing some of her concerns
interject<"' , "C ounse1' are we real\)' ,naloog
. that big of a
.
t
During estimony, the Master
aod )le noted that nothing bonible t,appened with
deal about watermelon and potato . ciiips7"
jiJ!lher stated that he thinks t,1otber is afraid of
the potato chiP· Id. at 122, 124. Thi rvfasto! .
sllovld but he (the Master) wanted to know more
h<
Grandfather asserting himseif more tbOJl
GraJldfatber was trying to o,•enide bef preferences to
about what her concerns were that .
.
which she had no response. Id. at 122, 1.z5.
aocJJof observations which roig\l! be construed as
Thus ' th e Master made remarJ" M ter, s concerns about GrlJlldffather were not
as
iscusses whY this court foun d
the end ' dis "·
for
r.,t,•1 phys1eol custody but tbiS did not implicate
sufficient to deny Grandfather's request . . .
any tssueof
· credibili ty of witnesses
. .
...
11. The Trial Court e1Ted by awarding Grandfather custodial rights during
Mother's observance of the Jewish Sabbath and on holidays which Mother and child do not
observe and by assuming without testimony that it will not interfere with the child's religious
practices set by Mother.
The February 4th order provides for Grandfather to have a period of custody with the
child from 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve to 6:00 p.m. Christmas day, noting that Christmas is a
secular holiday as much as a religious holiday such that it would not interfere with religious
practices set by Mother.
In addition, paragraph 8 of the order specifically provides that if a Jewish holiday,
which Mother observes, falls on one of Grandfather's periods of custody, Grandfather shall
have his scheduled period of custody on another day.
With regard to observance of the Sabbath, Mother presented no testimony before the
Master on this issue, which is the only permissible record under consideration by this court
for review of Exceptions and the proposed order of the Master. Moreover, it is not clear as to
what religious practices can be assigned to the child at his tender age and can be an
appropriate matter for modification in the future.
12. The Trial Court erred by not specifically determining the contribution that
Grandfather should make to the child's daycare and further inquiring as to -Mother's
representations of the daycare's :financial requirem�nts:
. Mother's proposed custody order included a provision that stated, "Insofar as the
child's day care must be paid solely on a weekly basis without exception, and the child must
attend fulltime to remain registered at the daycare of Mother's choice, Grandfather shall
reimburse Mother $139.20 per week for the two days that Jackson will miss when he spends
his time with Grandfather." See Proposed Order submitted by Mother on November 16, 2018,
paragraph No. 8.
13
The fact that Mother proposed periods of custody for Grandfather during childcare
times, as long as Grandfather paid for childcare, as opposed to supervised partial physical
custody, undermines Mother's claim that her trust in Grandfather is broken and she does not
trust that he will not undermine what she wants for the child.
The February 4, 2019 Order does have a provision suggesting that Grandfather
consider making some contribution to childcare costs since the child's presence at the daycare
center provides for a workable custody exchange arrangement. Counsel cites no authority for
compelling a grandparent to contribute to the support of a grandchild.
13. The Trial Court.erred by awarding holiday and vacation times to Grandfather
for the next sixte'eh years without taking into consideration and accepting testimony as to
whether such an award will 'interfere with the Parentlchild relationship and whether such an
award is in the best interes'ts of the child.
· There is no provision of the order of the court, nor statutory or procedural authority,
that precludes modification of the custody order of February 4, 2019, in any appropriate
fashion after disposition of the appeal.
14. The Trial Court erred by basing its Orderibpinion on facts that were contested
and/or not in evidence. · · ·
This allegation of error cites no specifics as to what "contested facts" or facts not in
evidence were referenced or cited by this court either in the October Summary Opinion or
final order entered February 2019 in connection with the conclusion that, under the facts as
presented in this case, the law of Pennsylvania does support denying partial custody rights to
Grandfather.
· The October Summary Opinion states on page 1, that, "The primary concern cited by
the master was that Paternal Grandfather has the opinion the child should be pulled from
daycare over Mother's objection so that Grandfather could provide childcare."
14
Specifically, the Master wrote in his report: "There was evidence that awarding PGF
custody may affect the mother-child relationship. It is of concern that the PPG [sic] thought
he knew .best in deciding the child should be pulled from daycare over mother's objection.
However, PGF did scale this back."
As was discussed above, what Grandfather said was he believed the child would be
better off with him two days a week but he would defer to Mother's judgment. In addition,
Grandfather's attorney pointed out in her opening statement that exercising partial custody
while Mother was at work would not-detract from her time with the child. Id. at 101, 6.
This court concluded that the testimony did not support the Master's conclusion about
Grandfather's testimony since it did not so much "articulate an assertion that he knows better
than Mother about caring for the child, as opposed to a natural reaction that it would be better
for a seven-month child to be with a relative a couple days out of the week rather than in
full time daycare where the child would not have the benefit of more consistent nurturing and
care with less exposure to germs, etc., which are the disadvantages of day care at an early
age." Summary Opinion, p. 2.
This court then concluded that the findings of the Master were not sufficient to deny
Grandfather's request for partial physical custody particularly under the standards set by
Section 5325(1), where Father is deceased, in light of the contact between Grandfather and
child during this child's first few months after birth and taking into consideration the best
interest of the child.
15. TheTrial Court erred by failing to conduct a trial de novo to determine the best
interests of the child in the custody dispute between Grandfather arid Mother.
Rule 1915.4-2(b)(3) and (6) of Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, which governs
custody hearing procedures where counties conduct record hearings with a hearing officer,
15
specifies that if exceptions are filed to the report of the hearing officer, the court shall hear
argument and enter a final order within fifteen days. The Rule makes no provision for a trial
de novo, unlike Rule 1915.4-1, which controls in counties where no record hearings are
conducted. As provided in Rule 1915.4-l(b), parties may move the court for a hearing before
a judge after the initial in-person contact with the court.
Presumably, nothing in the rule would preclude an order for a de novo hearing as part
of the final order on exceptions. However, in this case, the only arguable grounds for a de
novo hearing would be to hear from witnesses disallowed by the Master, as raised by
Mother's attorney during argument on the Exceptions, specifically Megan, Grandfather's
daughter. N.T., 10/9/18, p. 37. Th� Master concluded the testimony would be cumulative,
which was not challenged by counsel on the record to show whether or why said testimony
would not be cumulative. Hence, there were no grounds upon which to consider, let alone
order a trial de novo.
16. The Trial Court erred in failing to further.inquire into Grandfather's health and
compBl him to produce medical evidence of his abilityto care for :and transport the child who
is two years old.
As set forth above, Grandfather appeared for the October 9, 2018 hearing in a
wheelchair and explained that he was on a tour boat when it hit a massive wave and he was
knocked down and broke his leg, he sees a surgeon in two days and anticipates three to four
weeks for recovery. And his current situation was non-weight-bearing.
Furthermore he lives with his wife, who was pushing the wheel chair. Thus, there is
an able-bodied person in the house to care for the child until Grandfather can do so.
17. The Trial Court erred in failing to consider the child's safety in a home where
Grandfather bas suffered a significant injury.
See No. 16 above.
16
.
Additional Discussion
The facts of this case are particularly poignant considering that Mother lost her
husband and Grandfather lost his son four months after the child was born. Both parties
would have been dealing with a tragic loss as well as the confounding joy of the birth of the
child, and the challenge ofreconciling such conflicting emotions.
It must be noted that, particularly since there are no maternal grandparents, this child
has what many, many children do not have - a loving grandparent who is capable of, and
wants to be part of the child's life and even provide childcare when needed by Mother. To
deny Grandfather contact with the child and to deny the child the love of a grandfather
because Mother "lost trust" in Grandfather after the incident on the 4lh of July or because
Grandfather expressed an opinion that the six-month-old child would be better with
Grandfather for two days out of the week rather than in full time daycare, is both
unreasonable and contrary to Pennsylvania law.
As stated in K.. T. v. L.S .• Pennsylvania has a strong public policy "favoring
grandparent involvement in a child's life." Id. at 1164 (citations omitted). In that case, the
acrimony between grandparents and mother was much more pronounced than in the instant
matter. Mother thought the grandparents were horrible people, she threw away the candy and
toys grandparents gave to the children because candy is bad for children and the toys they had
promoted violence, and she complained the children were having nightmares after initial
periods of partial custody, while grandmother filed to prevent the adoption of the children by
mother's husband whom grandmother said was a racist and had facebook postings related to
"Nazi stuff'. Id. at 1142, 1146-1147.
17
In reversing the trial court's decision to deny the petition of the grandparents, the
Superior Court discussed how custodial parent's animosity towards another parent or third
party seeking partial custody should not itself warrant denial, otherwise, the custodial parent
could always effectively deny partial custody to everyone by claiming animosity. Id., at
1161, quoting Commonwealth ex rel. 'Williams v. Miller, 385 A.2d 992, 995 (Pa.Super,
1978). The opinion and conclusion of the appellate court present a compelling standard for
implementing Pennsylvania's statutory requirements governing the custody rights of
grandparents, particularly where the parent is deceased.
Conclusion
The evidence presented to .the custody master supports the conclusion of this court that
Paternal Grandfather is entitled to an award of partial physical custody of his grandchild,
notwithstanding Mother's objection, and that it would be in the best interest of the child.
Hence, the record supports affinnance of the trial court's decision.
BY THE COURT:
DATE: March 20, 2019 oID. OC1701579
FREDRICK SNYDER
RESPONDENT
ORDER
AND NOW, THIS 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:
� '. I
l. MOTHER BROOKE FREEZMAN SHALL RETAIN PRIMARY PHYSICAL AND SOLE
LEGAL CUSTODY OF THE CHILD JACKSON SNYDER, BORN JANUARY 27, 2017.
2. EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 20, 2019, PATERNAL GRANDFATHER FREDERICK
SNYDER SHALL HAVE PARTIAL PHYSICAL CUSTODY EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 10:00 A.M.
TO 7:00 P.M. GRANDFATHER TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FROM DAYCARE IN THE
MORNING TO MOTHER'S RESIDENCE IN THE EVENING. THE EXTENDED TIME IN THE
EVENING WILL PROVIDE SOME FREE TIME TO MOTHER FOR CHORES OR APPOINTMENTS
AND WEDNESDAY WAS SELECTED SO AS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH MOTHER'S ABILITY TO
MAKE WEEKEND PLANS AND TO PROVIDE A MID-WEEK BREAK FOR THE CHILD FROM
DAYCARE.
3. EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2019, GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE CUSTODY ON THE
FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH INSTEAD OF THE PRECEDING WEDNESDAY, FROM 10:00
A.M. FRIDAY TO 3:00 P.M. SATURDAY. AGAIN, THE EXTENDED TIME TO SATURDAY
AFTERNOON WILL PROVIDE FREE TIME ,-, FOR MOTHER FOR CHORES OR APPOINTMENTS.
4. IF THE DAYCARE WILL BE CLOSED ON ANY ONE OF GRANDFATHER'S
SCHEDULED CUSTODY DAYS, AND IF IT IS A HOLIDAY WHERE MOTHER WILL BE AT
WORK AND IN NEED OF CHILDCARE, THEN GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE CUSTODY FROM
7:00 P.M. THE EVENING BEFORE TO THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CUSTODY RETURN
TIME FOR THAT DAY.
5. GRANDFATHER SHOULD CONSIDER MAKING SOME CONTRIBUTION TO THE
CHILD'S DAYCARE COSTS FOR THE DAYS HE HAS CUSTODY SINCE THE DAYCARE
OR622 \\ REV 9/05 Page 1 of 6
JN462073
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··-· --·-·-··----
C:"7::.c"' '=.;,�":;;�,;�,,:,�:,:,,.=··,�°'-.'.::�'''"'.:. ;�.-,·· , .
PROVIDES A WORKABLE CUSTODY EXCBAN�� �GEMENT>,-,rx
MOTHER Is REPRESENTATIONS IN HER PROPOSED CUSTODY SCHEDULE''ARE'
THAT THE CHILD MUST REMAIN REGISTERED FULLTIME AT THE DAYCARE BUT MO;HER ··
IS ENTITLED TO ENROLL THE CHILD IN A FACILITY SHE DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
6. GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE CUSTODY ON FATHER'S DAY FROM 10:00 A.M.
TO 5:00 P.M. GRANDFATHER TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FROM AND TO MOTHER'S
RESIDENCE.
7. AT CHRISTMAS, GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE CUSTODY FROM 6:00 P.M.
CHRISTMAS EVE TO 6:00 P.M. CHRISTMAS DAY. SINCE CHRISTMAS IS A SECULAR AS
WELL AS A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY, THE CELEBRATION WITH GRANDFATHER WILL NOT
INTERFERE WITH THE CHILD'S RELIGIOUS PRACTICES SET BY MOTHER.
8. IF A JEWISH HOLIDAY WHICH MOTHER OBSERVES FALLS ON ONE OF
GRANDFATHER'S SCHEDULED CUSTODY DAYS SUCH THAT IT WOULD INTERFERE WITH
MOTHER'S PLANNED OBSERVANCE, THEN GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE HIS PERIOD OF
SCHEDULED PARTIAL PHYSICAL CUSTODY ON ANOTHER DAY THAT SAME WEEK.
9. FOR THANKSGIVING, GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE CUSTODY ON FRIDAY AFTER
THANKSGIVING, INSTEAD OF WEDNESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO
7:00 P.M.
10. FOR THE SUMMER OF }0;9, GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE ONE EXTENDED
FIRST FRIDAY PERIOD OF CUSTODY WITH THE CHILD UNTIL 6:00 P.M. SUNDAY, AND
ONE EXTENDED WEDNESDAY PERIOD OF CUSTODY UNTIL 6:00 P.M. SATURDAY, WITH
SIXTY (60) DAYS NOTICE TO MOTHER AS TO THE SPECIFIC DATES. THE PARTIES
MUST ARRANGE FOR FACE-TIME CONTACT BETWEEN MOTHER AND THE CHILD ON EACH
EVENING.
11. FOR THE SUMMERS OF 2020 AND 2021, GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE ONE
FIVE-DAY PERIOD OF VACATION WITH THE CHILD, FROM 6:00 P.M. SUNDAY UNTIL
6:00 P.M. FRIDAY, PLUS ONE EXTENDED FIRST FRIDAY PERIOD AS DESCRIBED
ABOVE, WITH SIXTY (60) DAYS NOTICE TO MOTHER AS TO THE SPECIFIC DATES.
THE PROVISION CONCERNING DAILY EVENING CONTACT BETWEEN THE CHILD AND
MOTHER APPLIES.
12. BEGINNING IN THE SUMMER OF 2022, GRANDFATHER SHALL HAVE ONE WEEK
OF VACATION WITH THE CHILD FROM 6:00 P.M. FRIDAY TO THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY
AT 6:00 P.M., IN ADDITION TO ONE EXTENDED FIRST FRIDAY AS DESCRIBED ABOVE,
WITH SIXTY (60) DAYS NOTICE TO MOTHER AS TO THE SPECIFIC DATES.
13.· DURING GRANDFATHER'S EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME WITH THE CHILD, HE
MAY NOT TRAVEL BEYOND PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY OR DELAWARE WITH THE CHILD
AND MUST PROVIDE SPECIFIC, DETAILED INFORMATION AS TO LOCATION AND CONTACT
INFORMATION WELL IN ADVANCE.
1�. IF SOME COMPELLING INCIDENT ARISES THAT WOULD INTERFERE WITH
GRANDFATHER'S SCHEDULED CUSTODY TIME WITH THE CHILD HE MUST NOTIFY MOTHER
IMMEDIATELY AND HE WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO SUBSTITUTE TIME.
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CASE ID. OC1701579 ORDER DATE: 4TH FEBRUARY. 2019
15. MOTHER SHALL PROVIDE THIRTY (30) DAYS NOTICE WHEN POSSIBLE OF
TRAVEL OR OTHER PLANS THAT WOULD INTERFERE WITH FATHER'S SCHEDULED PERIODS
OF CUSTODY. HE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ALTERNATE TIME IF IT INTERFERES WITH
HIS EXTENDED DAYS IN THE SUMMER,
16. IF SHE HAS NOT ALREADY DONE SO, MOTHER SHALL PROVIDE TO
GRANDFATHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHILD'S DIET AND SCHEDULE SO THAT
GRANDFATHER SHALL FOLLOW SAME.
17. THE PARTIES SHALL REFRAIN FROM CRITICIZING ONE ANOTHER IN THE
PRESENCE OF THE CHILD.
18. GRANDFATHER'S OBJECTION TO MOTHER'S NOTICE OF RELOCATION IS
OVERRULED WITHOUT A HEARING.
THE PARTIES APPEARED FOR A CONFERENCE BEFORE THE MASTER, AS THE
INITIAL STEP FOR THE RELOCATION PROCEDURE, AND THE MASTER DECLINED TO
SCHEDULE A HEARING. ALTHOUGH IT rs UNKNOWN WHY ASSERTIONS IN MOTHER'S
PROPOSED CUSTODY SCHEDULE STATE THAT HER RELOCATION TO 507 W, GLENSIDE
AVENUE, GLENSIDE, PA IS ONLY 12,8 MILES FROM HER PRESENT LOCATION OF 2424
S. 9TH STREET, WHEN GOOGLE DIRECTIONS SHOW IT IS 19.5 MILES AND AN AVERAGE
OF ONE HOUR OR MORE DRIVING TIME, AND SHE DID NOT CONSIDER THE ADDITIONAL
TRAVEL TIME IN HER PROPOSED CUSTODY SCHEDULE FOR GRANDFATHER, NONETHELESS
HER RELOCATION DOES NOT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIR GRANDFATHER'S ABILITY TO
EXERCISE CUSTODIAL RIGHTS AS SET FORTH ABOVE BY THIS COURT. HENCE, THE
RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS OF 23 PA.C.S.A. SECTION 5337 ARE NOT APPLICABLE,
NOTICE OF INTENT TO RELOCATE: 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
THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF 23 PA.C.S. SECTION 5337 AND PA.R.C.P. NO.
1915.17 REGARDING RELOCATION.
SUMMARY OPINION
DISCUSSION OF FACTORS IN SUPPORT OF CUSTODY ORDER
THE SUMMARY OPINION OF THIS COURT DATED OCTOBER 22, 2018 IS HEREBY
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS A FACTUAL BACKGROUND IN SUPPORT OF THE
CUSTODY ORDER OF FEBRUARY 4, 2019.
FACTORS UNDER 23 PA.C.S.A. SECTION 5328(C) (1)
PATERNAL GRANDFATHER HAS STANDING FOR PARTIAL PHYSICAL OR SUPERVISED
PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF THE CHILD UNDER 23 PA.C.S.A. SECTION 5325 (1) AS
GRANDFATHER OF THE CHILD'S DECEASED FATHER.
THE FACTORS WHICH MUST BE CONSIDERED FOR AN AWARD OF PARTIAL OR
SUPERVISED PHYSICAL CUSTODY TO A GRANDPARENT OR GREAT-GRANDPARENT UNDER 23
PA,C.S.A. SECTION 5328(C) (1) ARE:
(I) THE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE CHILD AND THE PARTY
PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE ACTION:
OR622 \\ REV 9105
JN482073
Page 3 of 6
CASE ID. OC1701579 ORDER DATE: 4TH FEBRUARY, 2019
THE CHILD WAS ONLY NINE AND 1/2 MONTHS OLD WHEN GRANDFATHER
FILED HIS COMPLAINT FOR PARTIAL CUSTODY, AND, TRAGICALLY, THE CHILD'S
FATHER, GRANDFATHER'S SON, JACOB SNYDER, HAD PASSED AWAY ON MAY 9, 2017,
WHEN THE CHILD WAS LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS OLD. GRANDFATHER VISITED AT THE
HOSPITAL RIGHT AFTER THE CHILD WAS BORN, HELPED MOTHER AND FATHER PAINT
THE NURSERY, WATCHED THE CHILD WHEN MOTHER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO SEE
FATHER ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS. NOTES OF TESTIMONY, MAY 22, 2018, AT 28,
40 AND 50. THEREAFTER GRANDFATHER SAW THE CHILD ON A REGULAR BASIS IN
ADDITION TO EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY WHEN MOTHER WENT RUl:\��ING .AND ONCE
MOTHER RETURNED TO WORK, HE AND STEP-GRANDMOTHER MYRNA BUTKOVITZ PROVIDED
CHILD CARE TWO DAYS PER WEEK. N.T. AT 187, 189.
(II) WHETHER THE AWARD INTERFERES WITH ANY PARENT-CHILD
RELATIONSHIP:
GRANDFATHER PRIMARILY SOUGHT PERIODS OF CUSTODY WITH THE CHILD
DURING THE TIME THE CHILD WAS IN CHILDCARE, WHEN MOTHER WAS AT WORK SO AS
NOT TO TAKE AWAY FROM HER CUSTODY TIME WITH THE CHILD AND THE ORDER AS SET
FORTH ABOVE FOLLOWS THAT GUIDELINE. THERE ARE VERY LIMITED PERIODS OF
CUSTODY AWARDED TO GRANDFATHER WHEN THE CHILD WOULD OTHERWISE BE IN
MOTHER1S CUSTODY.
(III) WHETHER THE AWARD IN IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD:
SINCE PATERNAL GRANDFATHER IS THE ONLY GRANDPARENT WHO WAS
INVOLVED IN THE CHILD'S LIFE AFTER HIS BIRTH, WITH PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER'S
INVOLVEMENT BEING VERY LITTLE, AND SINCE MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS ARE
DECEASED, IT IS CONCLUDED THAT IT SERVES THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD TO
HAVE A LOVING GRANDPARENT INVOLVED IN THE CHILD'S LIFE, OTHERWISE, THE
CHILD WOULD BE DEPRIVED OF THE EMOTIONAL BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIS
FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP.
FACTORS UNDER 23 PA.C.S.A. SECTION 5328
(l) WHICH PARTY IS MORE LIKELY TO ENCOURAGE AND PERMIT FREQUENT AND
CONTINUING CONTACT BETWEEN THE CHILD AND ANOTHER PARTY.
GRANDFATHER HAS VERBALIZED AND DEMONSTRATED THAT THE CUSTODY
TIME HE IS REQUESTING WITH THE CHILD SHOULD NOT TAKE AWAY FROM MOTHER'S
TIME WITH THE CHILD OR SHOULD 00 SO AT A MINIMUM. ON THE OTHER HAND,
MOTHER HAS OPPOSED CUSTODY TIME FOR GRANDFATHER AND IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE
TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE.
(2) THE PRESENT AND PAST ABUSE COMMITTED BY A PARTY OR MEMBER OF
THE PARTY'S HOUSEHOLD, AND WHETHER THERE IS A CONTINUED RISK OF HARMTO THE
CHILD OR AN ABUSED PARTY AND WHICH PARTY CAN BETTER PROVIDE ADEQUATE
PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS AND SUPERVISION OF THE CHILD.
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OR ALLEGATION OF ABUSE.
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CASE ID. OC1701579 ORDER DATE: 4TH FEBRUARY, 2019
(2,1) THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN SECTION 5329.l(A) (RELATING TO
CONSIDERATION OF CHILD ABUSE AND INVOLVEMENT WITH PROTECTIVE SERVICES).
THERE HAS BEEN NO INVOLVEMENT OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
(3) THE PARENTAL DUTIES PERFORMED BY EACH PARTY ON BEHALF OF THE
CHILD.
THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT MOTHER IS THE SOLE P�.RENT OF THE
CHILD AND HAS SINGULARLY PERFORMED THE PARENTAL DUTIES PROVIDED TO THIS
CHILD. GRANDFATHER PROVIDED THE NECESSARY CHILDCARE WHEN NEEDED BY MOTHER
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS PRIOR TO JULY 4, 2017.
(4) THE NEED FOR STABILITY AND CONTINUITY IN THE CHILD'S EDUCATION,
FAMILY LIFE AND COMMUNITY LIFE.
NOTHING ABOUT THE PARTIAL CUSTODY SCHEDULE FOR GRANDFATHER
INTERFERES WITH THE CHILD1S STABILITY OR CONTINUITY WITH EDUCATION OR
COMMUNITY LIFE SINCE THE CHILD IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD AND HIS
EDUCATION/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS ATTENDANCE AT CHILDCARE WHILE MOTHER IS
AT WORK.
(5) THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTENDED FAMILY.
PATERNAL GRANDFATHER IS ONE OF ONLY A VERY FEW EXTENDED FAMILY
MEMBERS.
(6) THE CHILD1S SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS.
THIS FACTOR DOES NOT APPLY AS THERE ARE NO SIBLINGS.
(7) THE WELL-REASONED PREFERENCE OF THE CHILD, BASED ON THE CHILD'S
MATURITY AND JUDGMENT.
THIS FACTOR DOES NOT APPLY SINCE THE CHILD IS ONLY TWO YEARS
OLD.
(8) THE ATTEMPTS OF A PARENT TO TURN THE CHILD AGAINST THE OTHER
PARENT, EXCEPT IN CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHERE REASONABLE SAFETY
MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE CHILD FROM HARM.
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT EITHER PARTY HAS ATTEMPTED TO
INFLUENCE THE CHILD AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY.
(9) WHICH PARTY IS MORE LIKELY TO MAINTAIN A LOVING, STABLE,
CONSISTENT AND NURTURING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD ADEQUATE FOR THE
CHILD'S EMOTIONAL NEEDS.
NO CHALLENGE HAS BEEN RAISED TO MOTHER'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A
LOVING, STABLE, CONSISTENT AND NURTURING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD.
GRANDFATHER SEEKS ONLY TO ADD TO A LOVING, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE
CHILD AS A GRANDPARENT AND NOT A SUBSTITUTE PARENT.
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CASE ID. OC1701579 ORDER DATE: 4TH FEBRUARY, 2019
(10) WHICH PARTY IS MORE LIKELY TO ATTEND TO THE DAILY PHYSICAL,
EMOTIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, EDUCATIONAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE CHILD.
NO CHALLENGE HAS BEEN RAISED TO MOTHER'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A
LOVING, STABLE, CONSISTENT AND NURTURING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD.
GRANDFATHER SEEKS ONLY TO ADD TO A LOVING, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE
CHILD AS A GRANDPARENT Al\'ID NOT A SUBSTITUTE PARENT.
(11) THE PROXIMITY OF THE RESIDENCES OF THE PARTIES.
MOTHER HAS GIVEN NOTICE OF RELOCATING TO A NEW RESIDENCE WHICH
IS APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES FROM GRANDFATHER AND APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR IN
TRAVEL TIME. WHILE MOTHER1S PRIOR RESIDENCE WAS MORE CONVENIENT FOR
GRANDFATHER FOR CUSTODY EXCHANGES, THE DISTANCE DOES NOT IMPOSE
SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS.
(12) EACH PARTY'S AVAILABILITY TO CARE FOR THE CHILD OR ABILITY TO
MAKE APPROPRIATE CHILD-CARE ARRANGEMENTS.
MOTHER HAS MADE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENT FOR CHILD-CARE AND
GRANDFATHER, WHO IS RETIRED, WILL ONLY BE EXERCISING PERIODS OF PARTIAL
PHYSICAL CUSTODY WHEN HE IS ABLE TO BE WITH THE CHILD PHYSICALLY.
(13) THE LEVEL OF CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND THE WILLINGNESS
AND ABILITY OF THE PARTIES TO COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER.
IT IS MOST UNFORTUNATE THAT CONFLICT HAS ARISEN BETWEEN THE
PARTIES STEMMING FROM AN "INCIDENT" ON JULY 4, 2017. THE EVIDENCE CLEARLY
SHOWED A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GRANDFATHER AND MOTHER WHILE FATHER
WAS LIVING AND SHORTLY AFTER HIS TRAGIC, UNTIMELY DEATH.
(14) THE HISTORY OF DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE OF A PARTY OR MEMBER OF A
PARTY'S HOUSEHOLD.
MOTHER'S CONCERN THAT GRANDFATHER MIGHT HAVE BEEN SMOKING
MARIJUANA WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE.
(15) THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITION OF A PARTY OR MEMBER OF A
PARTY'S HOUSEHOLD.
THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE CONCERNING THIS FACTOR.
HONORABLE DORIS A. PEC.HKUROW J.
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Circulated 06/06/2019 03:50 PM
Oct 22 2018 04.1>3PM Judge PechloJrow 2i5p867826 pag� 4
IN THE COURT OF COMMON FJ.,EAS
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
_DOMESTIC RELATIONS DMSION
FREDlUCK SNYDER
Petitioner
vs.
CUSTODY NO. OC1'7015.79
BROOKE alEEZEMA.N
Respondent
BYt DORJS A. :PECHKUROW, J.
$'0MM$Y_QP®ON'
The clill_d-Jackson Stiyd!2'was bomJanmuy 27. 2017. F� �away® Ulf 9,
2017i: after suffering fro� an illn�- Pa.tetnal Grandfathet fredriek Sn_ydcr filed' a complaint
fot �dy <>n· N..aSttt was that P�-�dfaijler has fbe o.pimon
the child $Jlpuld be pulled from day�are over Mother's objection so � -�er could
piovide cbihkare.
Ott 22 2018 04:03PM Judge Pedl�row 2156867826 page 5
The custody master rendered. an insightful summary noting that Grand!� and bis
wife were vecy close to the father and celebrated holidays and birthdays together and that
Mother "eajoyed a healthy relationship with l:be·p$temal side of'tiie family."
The master further noted that after father died, the dynamics changed �:fur as
"Mother has become wary of'Patemal Grandfather and My.ma [grand.fathers wife] asserting
themselves:' The Master did find, however, that "[m.Jany of mother's ccnceras were
unsubstantiated," undennining the credtl>ility of Mother's assertiona l:.bat she only bad an.
The C()Ult does not find, however, that the evidence shows-that �er th'QUgbthe
knew b�.t about pnlling the ·muld from daycare over mother's objection, which is.the basis of
the.TCC6mm@d�tioJ1.by the Master..
While Mother testified that fullwne daycare wasn't initially available; she pfQduced-
no documents in support of �-ame and, without advance notice to Gran.dnrtber; apparently
enrolled ,t1w clrlld.in :full timedaycare .n$ht 'after f.h(: 4111 of .J,:ily� :as if fullthne daytire.ju.st"
cqjncjdenta.Ilyth:� became available.
In other words. the evidence supports the scenario that Mother originally intended to
have Otanc:Uather. care f<>r � �bi).d two days w:b week, but ahe enrolled the child in dayp.�
fulltime rigl:it ,after the 4lh of July incident. The "incident" was th.at· Onmdfather let fbe cliild
suck. on his finger, whieh apparently had some watennelon jui®, and wh� Grandfather
.
-co�-® ·this Mot®!' reaeted with.diStlpproval. Motlier also ·claimed that· �1$r
put a particle ofa potsto ch.tp in the cbild,_& mouth, which Grandfather dflll.ied doing. The
child WilS not noted to have been coughing or otherwise reaoth:tg.
Thiji· iu¢,4cnrt was � focal point ofmuch- t.fUCetiomnt b)'Mothcr!s -atio�, l.)rompting
the master to question, ''[A}re we really making that big of a deal about wawnnel® and
2
Oct 22 2018 04'03Ft-1 .Judge- Pedlhlrow 2156867826 page 6
potato chips?" [N.T., p. 122}. Notto be deterred, counsel continued that line ()finquirywith
wife, �elli h� put his fingers down the baby's throat?"
Wife testified that Mother was very controlling of the details of care for the child, how
to do the diaper, make the bottle a certain wayi etc. [N.T., p. 226], Hences it would not be
unusual for Mother to criticize Grandfather a.bout letting the child suck his finger [wife
testified the child was teething at the. time - N.T., p. 220] if she dfdn't approve. Moreover,
consideting that Mother had j\1$t started back to work, she presumably was still � with
grief from the loss of her husband two months before, and. she faced the challenge Qf raising
the child without.bis father; Thus} sho might v¢y well have taken steps to a.void any dealings
that would.cause her more stress •.
The fa.eta show that Cn:and.&t.b,er and: his wife. watched tht child when- Mofber went
running on Saturdays and one day d:arulg the week. thea watched the child two -days ;per week
wh¢n .Mother went back to work •in Iun,e. Hence. the abrupt change in .the chUd's da}'®l'.e
sohedul.e can. be linked to 1he1cly 41h incident.
Grandfather\� reaction to putting the child in ·fulltime daycare is net so mw.h an
MSert:i.on that he knows better than Mother about caring fot the child, .as opposed to a natural
reaction that it would be be�,r for a seven�month 1;hild to be witli udative a couplo days out.
of the W*ntller than in. fulltime daycare wh�re the child would not.have the benefit ofJ:llOfe
conm_�t xiurtur:ing lill4 care with less exposure to germs, eta, which are 11:1,e diwivantag� of
day care at. an :early age. Moreover, Grandfather considered th� :tact that his seeing tbe �hild
when Mother was at work avoided diminishing Motbet�s time with the child on weekends.
[N�T.> p, 6].
Thlsis nocan incident. for example, where Mother seleet&f a p�6o1 program: for_Ii.
child at the age of four years, ln anticipation of fulltime school, and Grandfather tries to tell
Oct 22 2018 04:0-4PM J!, the court does not find that the expressed concerns of the Master are sufficient
for denial of Gmndruher'i: request for partial physical custody,
Moreover, Section 5328(c)(l) requires that nn award of custody to a party under
section 5.325 (l) or (2), with section 5325 (l) lll)plyipg to where a parent .is deceased, the court
ahlJU �ider ·t1xe amount of contact between tho child and the party, whether the awa,;d
interferes with, any par:eot-child relatjone.bip. and whether the award is in the 'best � of
1he cbild.
Neidler the cir� .�liilding the facl<.i�· on th� 4lli of Ju.lyt nor
Grand.father's e:xpresse�: concern that it- would be better for the in:funt child to be with
Gtab.dfatberc t-wo days. 011t of1he ·� &her than,m full fim:o ·da� �it an��
wHb.thc;:;parcm-cluld .rcla.i:i�p.. the !'eStimohy ofGran:d.fatb<:t's-wif� sho.wed:aw�, of
Mother's parentmg.expect;ations and respect for same, Thus 'there are no grounds to believe
that in tho -future � wonld dCi/say negative 1hings about Mother (he has not .been
aai4 to have done so th.U,S .fat).
Most. significantly, Paternal �ther is the closest link 10 his father .that·thc ®ild
can h9ld onto. the child sbo#}d not be 'deprived ()f this because Mo:ther .�appx-o:ved of how
�ather·was·,futem@.ng w,ith tho child on one occasion. And it caIUlOi b.,naid. that.Mother
will involv� Graodfutber 'in tbQ. child's life in the .future, based npon the lack of contact ·with
Gnlnd:mther am� July, 2017. � it is In 'th� best interest of the Qbfid to ,maintain a
relati:()J)$]up with Paternal Gnu).dfatber.
4
Oct 22 2018 04:04PM Jidge Pech1a.1row 2156867826 page 8
Moreover, Mother's parents are deceased so that Grandfather and Paternal
Gr&ndmo1ber are ttte ohild's only grandparents, The fuci: that Patemal Grandmother was
reportedly not told about the child's birth until some five days later does not lead one to
believe her involyement with the child will be substantial. .!bs1mt egregious circumstances,
wbich are not present here. a child should not be deprived of the une<>nditio.rull love and
devotion that only a grandparent Cail. bestow,
BY Tim:COOR.Ti
. ·
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.
DOR.lS-A. PE.�OWJ,.
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