J-S07032-21

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

K.K.

Appellee

v.

C.L.S., IV 

Appellant

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 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

 PENNSYLVANIA

No. 1044 WDA 2020

Appeal from the Order Dated September 4, 2020

In the Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County

Civil Division at No(s): No. 10618 of 2017 C.A.

BEFORE: SHOGAN, J., DUBOW, J., and KING, J.

MEMORANDUM BY KING, J.: FILED: APRIL 19, 2021

Appellant, C.L.S., IV (“Father”), appeals from the order entered in the 

Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas, which modified the custody 

agreement between Father and Appellee, K.K. (“Mother”), as it relates to their 

minor children, A.M.S. and R.L.S. (“Children”). We affirm.

The relevant facts and procedural history if this case are as follows. 

Father and Mother are the parents of Children. On June 26, 2017, Mother 

filed a complaint seeking primary physical and legal custody of Children. 

Following a hearing, the court entered a custody order on August 1, 2017, 

providing for shared legal custody and awarding Mother primary physical 

custody of Children. Father received partial physical custody with two 

overnights in the first week and three overnights on the next week, with the 

exact days and times to be determined by Father’s work schedule. Each 
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parent was awarded a three-hour custody session with Children while the 

other parent was exercising his or her custody rights.

Mother became involved in a relationship with J.I. and is currently 

engaged to him. Father learned about allegations that J.I. had inappropriately 

touched J.I.’s own daughter. On March 27, 2019, the parties entered into a 

consent order prohibiting J.I. from residing at Mother’s residence or being in 

the presence of Children.

On May 28, 2019, Mother filed a petition for special relief, seeking to 

suspend Father’s partial physical custody due to her suspicion that Father was 

using drugs and alcohol. The court suspended Father’s custody and ordered 

him to undergo a drug test. On June 18, 2019, following a hearing, the court 

found that Father had violated the prior custody order by consuming alcohol 

during his custodial period. The court removed Father’s overnight custodial 

periods but agreed to reconsider if Father completed counseling. 

On August 26, 2019, Father filed a request for a custody modification, 

claiming that he had been evaluated for alcoholism. On September 27, 2019, 

Mother filed a petition for special relief, requesting that the court vacate the 

consent order prohibiting J.I. from living with Mother. Mother contended that 

J.I. was not a threat to Children and that he presently had unsupervised 

custody of his son and was attending reunification therapy with his daughter. 

On October 10, 2019, the court issued an interim custody order that 

awarded parents shared legal custody, Mother primary physical custody, and 
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Father partial custody, with one overnight per week. The order provided that 

Children would have no contact with J.I., and that Father was prohibited from 

consuming alcoholic beverages during, or 24 hours prior to, his custodial

periods.

The court held a custody trial on August 12, 2020. At the trial, Mother 

testified and presented the testimony of Dr. Shannon Edwards, who had 

conducted a parental capacity evaluation of J.I. Father also testified, and 

presented the testimony of M.S., and Father’s girlfriend, E.K. 

Following the custody trial on September 4, 2020,1the court issued 

findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a new custody order which awarded

Mother primary physical custody and Father partial physical custody of

Children every other weekend during the school year and a period of evening 

custody on his non-custodial weeks, as well as periods of summer custody, 

holidays, and birthdays per the court’s schedule. The court ordered that 

neither parent was to consume any alcoholic beverage or use any nonprescribed drug during or 12 hours prior to his/her custodial period. The court 

permitted Children to have contact with J.I., but J.I. was not to be alone with 

Children or drive a car with Children in it.

On September 23, 2020, Mother filed a motion for clarification and 

reconsideration regarding Father’s off week after-school custody and the 

____________________________________________

1 The order is dated August 24, 2020, but was not filed until September 4, 

2020.
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specifications regarding J.I.; that same day, the court entered a modification 

order, explaining that Father would have custody on Thursday evenings during 

the weeks that he does not have weekend custody. Father timely filed a notice 

of appeal on October 2, 2020;2 Father filed a concise statement of errors 

complained of on appeal on October 8, 2020.3 

Father raises the following issues for our review:

Whether the trial court abused its discretion in permitting 

[Mother’s] boyfriend, [J.I.], supervised contact with the 

children, where [J.I.] has an admitted history of sexual 

[deviant] behavior for which no treatment has ever been 

sought and [Mother] has a standing history of failing to 

abide by court order? 

Whether the trial court abused its discretion in finding 

[Father] had consumed alcohol, left the children with 

responsible adults to go drink alcohol, and drove the 

children after imbibing in alcohol based on prior testimony 

of the minor child in which there was evidence that the 

minor child lied to the court and using such evidence as a 

substantial factor in not awarding [Father] primary physical 

custody? 

(Father’s Brief at 15).

____________________________________________

2 The trial court’s September 23, 2020 order served only to clarify a clerical 

error on the September 4, 2020 order, which is a final order for purposes of 

this appeal.

3 Although Father failed to file his concise statement contemporaneously with 

his notice of appeal, we decline to quash or dismiss the appeal on this basis. 

See In re K.T.E.L., 983 A.2d 745 (Pa.Super. 2009) (holding that failure of 

appellant in children’s fast track case to file concise statement along with 

notice of appeal results in defective notice of appeal to be decided on case by 

case basis; declining to quash or dismiss appeal where defect did not prejudice 

other parties and to expedite disposition of children’s fast track cases).
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Our standard and scope of review in custody cases are as follows:

In reviewing a custody order, our scope is of the broadest 

type and our standard is abuse of discretion. We must 

accept findings of the trial court that are supported by 

competent evidence of record, as our role does not include 

making independent factual determinations. In addition, 

with regard to issues of credibility and weight of the 

evidence, we must defer to the presiding trial judge who 

viewed and assessed the witnesses first-hand. However, we 

are not bound by the trial court’s deductions or inferences 

from its factual findings. Ultimately, the test is whether the 

trial court’s conclusions are unreasonable as shown by the 

evidence of record. We may reject the conclusions of the 

trial court only if they involve an error of law, or are 

unreasonable in light of the sustainable findings of the trial 

court.

C.R.F. v. S.E.F., 45 A.3d 441, 443 (Pa.Super. 2012) (internal citation 

omitted). This Court has consistently held:

[T]he discretion that a trial court employs in custody 

matters should be accorded the utmost respect, given the 

special nature of the proceeding and the lasting impact the 

result will have on the lives of the parties concerned. 

Indeed, the knowledge gained by a trial court in observing 

witnesses in a custody proceeding cannot adequately be 

imparted to an appellate court by a printed record.

Ketterer v. Seifert, 902 A.2d 533, 540 (Pa.Super. 2006) (internal citation 

omitted). In addition:

Although we are given a broad power of review, we are 

constrained by an abuse of discretion standard when 

evaluating the court’s order. An abuse of discretion is not 

merely an error of judgment, but if the court’s judgment is 

manifestly unreasonable as shown by the evidence of 

record, discretion is abused. An abuse of discretion is also 

made out where it appears from a review of the record that 

there is no evidence to support the court’s findings or that 

there is a capricious disbelief of evidence.
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M.A.T. v. G.S.T., 989 A.2d 11, 18-19 (Pa.Super. 2010) (en banc) (internal 

citations omitted). Further:

The parties cannot dictate the amount of weight the trial 

court places on the evidence. Rather, the paramount 

concern of the trial court is the best interest of the child. 

Appellate interference is unwarranted if the trial court’s 

consideration of the best interest of the child was careful 

and thorough, and we are unable to find any abuse of 

discretion.

R.M.G., Jr. v. F.M.G., 986 A.2d 1234, 1237 (Pa.Super. 2009).

For purposes of disposition, we combine Father’s issues. In his first 

issue, Father argues the court erred and abused its discretion in permitting 

J.I. to have supervised contact with Children. (Father’s Brief at 21). 

Specifically, Father contends that J.I. is a danger to Children due to his history 

of drug and alcohol abuse; sexual deviant behavior; and continued use of 

alcohol and medical marijuana. (Id. at 22-23). Father asserts that J.I. did 

not provide documentation that he had been treated for his sexually deviant 

behavior and did not testify at the custody hearing. (Id. at 23-24). Father 

maintains that the forensic report prepared in this case determined only J.I.’s 

parental capacity but did not specifically address his sexual deviant conduct. 

(Id. at 24). Father contends that because Mother previously violated the nocontact orders, Children will be exposed to potential sexual abuse by J.I. (Id.

at 25).

In his second issue, Father argues that the court erred and abused its 

discretion in finding that Father consumed alcohol; left Children with other
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adults to drink alcohol; and drove with Children after imbibing alcohol. (Id.

at 26). Father claims the court based this finding on the prior testimony of 

one of the children, and there was evidence that child had lied to the court. 

(Id.). Thus, Father insists that using this evidence as a substantial factor in 

its custody decision was in error. (Id.) Father concludes the court’s custody 

decision was erroneous, and this Court must reverse. We disagree.

Section 5328(a) of the Child Custody Act sets forth the best interest 

factors that the trial court must consider in awarding custody:

§ 5328. Factors to consider when awarding custody

(a) Factors.−In ordering any form of custody, the 

court shall determine the best interest of the child by 

considering all relevant factors, giving weighted 

consideration to those factors which affect the safety of the 

child, including the following:

(1) Which party is more likely to encourage and permit 

frequent and continuing contact between the child and 

another party.

(2) The present and past abuse committed by a party 

or member of the party’s household, whether there is a 

continued risk of harm to the child or an abused party 

and which party can better provide adequate physical 

safeguards and supervision of the child.

(2.1) The information set forth in section 5329.1(a) 

(relating to consideration of child abuse and involvement 

with protective services).

(3) The parental duties performed by each party on 

behalf of the child.

(4) The need for stability and continuity in the child’s 

education, family life and community life.
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(5) The availability of extended family.

(6) The child’s sibling relationships.

(7) The well-reasoned preference of the child, based 

on the child’s maturity and judgment.

(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.

(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.

(10) Which party is more likely to attend to the daily 

physical, emotional, developmental, educational and 

special needs of the child.

(11) The proximity of the residences of the parties.

(12) Each party’s availability to care for the child or 

ability to make appropriate child-care arrangements.

(13) The level of conflict between the parties and the 

willingness and ability of the parties to cooperate with 

one another. A party’s effort to protect a child from 

abuse by another party is not evidence of unwillingness 

or inability to cooperate with that party.

(14) The history of drug or alcohol abuse of a party or 

member of a party’s household.

(15) The mental and physical condition of a party or 

member of a party’s household.

(16) Any other relevant factor.

23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5328(a).

Instantly, the trial court addressed each custody factor as follows. The 

court found that the first custody factor favored Father, because Mother had 
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used the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse to deny Father his custody time. 

(See Trial Court Opinion and Order, filed 9/4/2020, at 4). 

With regard to the second factor, the court found this factor favored 

neither parent. (Id. at 6). The court observed that Mother’s ability to protect 

Children should J.I. act inappropriately was in doubt, and also emphasized 

that Father had driven with Children while drinking and placed his enjoyment 

before the best interests of Children. The court explained:

While there have been allegations that [J.I.] improperly 

touched his own daughter, no proof of these allegations has 

been established. [J.I.] is the fiancée of [M]other and 

[M]other continued to allow [J.I.] to have frequent contact 

with [C]hildren for at least a several month period of time 

in direct violation of this [c]ourt’s order. Despite the fact 

that [J.I.] has had serious problems with alcohol and drugs 

and at least when he was an adolescent child, has acted out 

inappropriately, [M]other has stated that she has no 

concerns at all about [J.I.] having contact with [C]hildren 

and living in the same home with them. She also had no 

concerns that despite drug and alcohol abuse in the past, 

[J.I.] uses medical marijuana and continues to consume 

alcohol, at least socially. [M]other is now pregnant with 

[J.I.]’s child and due to deliver in September of 2020. 

[M]other has violated [c]ourt [o]rders in the past, and 

cannot be trusted to put [C]hildren’s own welfare in front of 

her own welfare and desire to live with [J.I.]. There is no 

indication that [M]other has ever abused [C]hildren, the 

question is whether or not she would protect [C]hildren if 

they were ever subject to abuse. The only reason [J.I.] is 

not living in the home with [M]other is the current [c]ourt 

[o]rder forbidding it.

[F]ather has not abused [C]hildren and there is no indication 

that he is likely to abuse [C]hildren. Nonetheless, he has 

driven with [C]hildren in the car when he has been 

consuming alcohol and during his periods of custody has left 

[C]hildren with others while he has gone out to drink. 

[F]ather also testified that he has known [J.I.] since [J.I.] 
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was fifteen and was aware of [J.I.]’s drug problems and his 

having a reputation as a heroin addict. Despite that 

knowledge, [F]ather testified that he had no problem with 

[J.I.] being around [C]hildren, until [J.I.’s] ex-wife told him 

about allegations that [J.I.] had inappropriately touched his 

own daughter and had admitted to sexual misconduct when 

he was an adolescent. [J.I.’s] ex-wife found a confidential 

Alcoholics Anonymous list, made by [J.I.], of conduct that 

[J.I.] regretted in his past and she disclosed the information 

from the confidential form to [F]ather.

* * *

This [c]ourt has serious concerns about [M]other’s 

willingness to protect [C]hildren, if [J.I.] should act 

inappropriately. On the other hand, [F]ather has driven 

with [C]hildren when he has been drinking and has placed 

his enjoyment before the best interest of [C]hildren.... 

(Id. at 4-5). In its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion, the court further elaborated: 

During a dispute over custody between [J.I.], [M]other’s 

boyfriend, and his ex-wife, [J.I.]’s ex-wife found and gave 

[Father] a copy of a confidential Alcoholics Anonymous form 

on which [J.I.] made a list of people that he had offended in 

the past and to whom he should make amends. In that list 

[J.I.] noted inappropriate sexual behavior during puberty or 

early adolescence. At the custody trial in the current case, 

[Mother] called as a witness Dr. Shannon Edwards, who 

conducted a psychological evaluation of [J.I.] on January 

10, 2020 and January 20, 2020. Dr. Edwards testified that 

[J.I.] reported inappropriate sexual behavior in his youth for 

which he had therapy as a teenager. She also testified that 

he had participated in therapy in his 20’s and 30’s for 

depression and anxiety and substance abuse. According to 

Dr. Edwards, she conducted several psychological tests and 

found all of the test results to be within the normal range. 

She said that there were no red flags and that she found 

nothing troubling and found no psychiatric illness. While she 

noted that [J.I.] had been treated for anxiety and 

depression, she testified that there was nothing to indicate 

that he was unable to parent unsupervised.

As noted in the August 24, 2020 [order and findings of fact], 
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during the custody dispute between [J.I.] and his ex-wife, 

an allegation was raised that he had on one occasion 

inappropriately touched his daughter. Evidence was 

presented that that allegation of abuse was reported to 

Lawrence County Children and Youth Services and to the 

Child Abuse Hotline and that the report was determined not 

to be founded. No charges were ever filed regarding the 

allegation. And in the case now before the [c]ourt, [F]ather 

did not call any witnesses or present any evidence to prove 

this allegation.

In the [August 24, 2020 order], this [c]ourt detailed its 

concern with the history of both [F]ather and [M]other of 

disobeying [court orders]. While the allegation made in

[J.I.]’s custody dispute with his ex-wife [was] being 

explored, the [c]ourt ordered that [C]hildren not have 

contact with [J.I.]. [M]other blatantly disobeyed that order 

at least until December 2019. Because of alcohol abuse 

allegations, on May 25, 2019, this [c]ourt ordered both 

parties not to consume alcohol during their periods of 

custody. In this [c]ourt’s June 18, 2019 [o]rder, this [c]ourt 

made a finding that, “testimony is clear, including [F]ather’s 

own admission, that [F]ather has consumed alcohol during 

periods of his custody of [C]hildren. [F]ather claims that he 

has consumed alcohol but only when he has been out of the 

house while his mother or another responsible adult is 

watching [C]hildren. [A.M.S.] has testified that she has 

seen her father consume alcohol during times that he has 

been exercising custody of both her and her brother.” And 

as the [c]ourt noted in the August 24, 2020 [findings of 

fact,] both [M]other and Father have attempted to influence 

the testimony of [C]hildren by discussing matters 

concerning custody that they were forbidden from 

discussing with [C]hildren.

(Rule 1925(a) Opinion, filed 12/4/20, at 1-3). 

The court found that factor 2.1 favored neither party as the allegations 

of J.I.’s alleged misconduct were not proven and there was no indication the 

allegations were founded. (See Trial Court Opinion and Order, filed 9/4/2020, 

at 6). The court found that factor three favored Mother, because she had 
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been the primary caregiver all of Children’s lives, and Father was not very 

involved with Children’s education. (Id. at 7). The court found that factor 

four favored Mother, as she was the primary caregiver for most of Children’s 

lives and due to Father’s inconsistency with his custody periods. (Id.) The 

court found that the fifth factor favored neither party, as both parents had 

extended family who were willing to assist with child care. (Id.) With regard 

to the sixth factor, the court found it favored neither party as Children have a 

strong sibling bond with each other and a continuing bond with Father’s adult 

son, their half-brother. (Id.) Children would have an additional half-sibling, 

as Mother was due to give birth to J.I.’s child in September 2020. (Id.)

The court found that the seventh and eighth factors favored neither 

parent, as the preference of Children was impossible to discern due to the 

conduct of the parents where both parents had attempted to turn Children 

against the other parent. (Id. at 7-8). Similarly, the court found that the 

ninth factor favored neither parent because both parents had put their own 

desires ahead of Children’s needs. (Id. at 8). The court found the tenth factor 

favored Mother, as she was more involved in the daily physical, emotional, 

developmental and educational needs of Children. (Id.) 

With regard to the eleventh factor, the court noted that although the 

parties lived only fifteen minutes from each other, A.M.S. would need to 

change schools if Father was awarded primary custody. (Id. at 8-9). With 

regard to the twelfth factor, the court found that it favored neither party, as 
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both parents were not always available to care for Children due to their work 

schedules, but had family members who could assist with childcare. (Id. at 

9). The thirteenth factor favored neither party, as both parties cooperated up 

until the allegations of sexual impropriety but have not cooperated since. 

(Id.) 

The fourteenth factor favored neither party as the court expressed 

concerns both about J.I.’s history of alcohol and drug abuse and Father’s 

history of and potential present alcohol abuse. (Id. at 9-10). In its Rule 

1925(a) opinion, with regard to Father’s drinking, the court observed:

[O]n June 18, 2019, following a hearing on a Petition for 

Special Relief filed by [M]other, this [c]ourt made a finding 

that, “testimony is clear, including [F]ather’s own 

admission, that [F]ather has consumed alcohol during 

periods of his partial custody of the children . . .” As detailed 

in the August 24, 2020 Findings of Fact, [F]ather has a 

history of alcohol problems. According to the testimony of 

[M]other at the trial, their separation and ultimate breakup 

was the result of [F]ather’s excessive alcohol consumption 

that led to his firing from at least one job. Despite the May 

25, 2019 [o]rder of [c]ourt that there be no alcohol 

consumption during either party’s period of custody, 

[F]ather violated that [c]ourt [o]rder. 

As noted in the August 24, 2020 [o]rder, there was clear 

evidence that both parties were attempting to influence 

[C]hildren by asking them to lie or pressuring them with 

questions about their testimony and the upcoming custody 

case. [F]ather’s history of alcohol abuse and indicators that 

[F]ather’s desire for alcohol continues to interfere with his 

parenting are two factors considered along with many other 

factors, as detailed in the [o]rder and [o]pinion of August 

24, 2020....

(Rule 1925(a) Opinion, filed 12/4/20, at 3-4). 
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The fifteenth factor favored either neither party, as neither biological 

parent had a history of mental or physical illness, although J.I. suffered from 

anxiety and depression. (See Trial Court Opinion and Order, filed 9/4/2020, 

at 10). Finally, the court noted that all other relevant factors had been 

discussed. (Id.)

Regarding Father’s first issue challenging the court’s findings related to 

J.I., we note that Dr. Edwards described the purpose of the evaluation was to 

“opine if mental health or substance abuse issues were present in [J.I.] and, 

if present, the degree to which they may or may not impact his capacity to 

parent [his minor daughter].” (See N.T., 8/12/20, at 7). Dr. Edwards noted 

that J.I. mentioned his childhood sexual behavior during the evaluation, 

recognized that the behavior was wrong, and began therapy from a young age 

as a result. (Id. at 9-10). Dr. Edwards testified that J.I. had previously 

received treatment at rehabilitation facilities for substance abuse and 

depression and anxiety, but was unable to obtain records due to the amount 

of time that had passed since treatment. (Id. at 14-15). Dr. Edwards noted 

that she had spoken with J.I.’s daughter’s therapist and that following the 

unfounded allegations, J.I.’s daughter expressed a desire to return to J.I.’s 

custody; the therapist recommended supervised visitation not due to safety 

concerns but to prevent further, presumably unfounded, allegations. (Id. at 

16-17). Dr. Edwards’ evaluation of J.I.’s daughter was inconsistent with that 

of other children who made sexual abuse allegations or disclosures, and she 
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remained unaware of any criminal charges that had been brought as a result 

of the allegations. (Id. at 42-43). 

Dr. Edwards examined J.I. using a variety of clinical assessments and 

his results did not raise any red flags; he did not have elevation on clinical 

scales related to diagnoses. (Id. at 17-18, 20). Dr. Edwards testified that 

J.I. had been diagnosed with adjustment disorder with anxiety by his therapist 

and that she deferred to this diagnosis. (Id. at 21-22). Dr. Edwards described 

J.I. as honest and forthcoming, having openly acknowledged his substance 

abuse history and sexual issues in adolescence. (Id. at 22-23). Her overall 

conclusions were that there was nothing in the data, testing, or collateral 

documents to indicate that J.I. did not have the capacity to parent or to safely

provide care to any child unsupervised. (Id. at 23-24).

Essentially, Father attacks the weight the court placed upon Dr. 

Edwards’ expert report. Although Father characterizes the report as only a 

parental capacity evaluation, the testimony makes clear that Dr. Edwards

considered J.I.’s self-reported sexual history and also conducted a series of 

psychological tests to determine whether he presented a threat to any child if 

allowed unsupervised contact. As the court noted, the allegations against J.I. 

were ultimately determined to be unfounded and Dr. Edwards’ report raised 

no red flags regarding J.I.’s current psychological state. Accordingly, despite 

Father’s request that we reweigh the court’s finding on this factor in his favor, 

the record supports the court’s conclusions. See C.R.F., supra (reiterating 
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that where trial court's conclusions are reasonable as shown by record 

evidence and those conclusions are not result of error of law, appellate court 

is bound by those conclusions).

Further, with respect to Father’s second issue related to the court’s 

findings about Father’s drinking, we disagree that the court relied solely on 

A.M.S.’s testimony. Rather, Mother also testified that her marriage with 

Father was “chaos” and that she “was the one picking up the pieces after his 

drunken episodes.” (See N.T., 8/12/20, at 52). Mother testified that she 

ended the marriage after Father went on alcoholic benders every weekend; 

conducted an extramarital affair; and lost his job due to his drinking. (Id. at 

53-54). 

At an earlier hearing, Father admitted that he had been fired from his 

job due to his drinking and failing an alcohol test. (Id.) Mother stated that 

all of the prior custody orders had language prohibiting drinking, because 

Father had previously been found in contempt by the court for driving and 

drinking with Children in the car.4 (Id. at 55). Mother also testified that in 

May 2019, she filed a petition for special relief averring that Father had been 

drinking during his periods of custody. (Id. at 56-57). Following a hearing in 

June 2019, the court noted in its order that Father had admitted to consuming 

alcohol during his periods of custody, but claimed that he had only consumed 

____________________________________________

4 The court’s orders and Mother’s motions for special relief were admitted into 

evidence as Plaintiff’s Exhibits D-G.
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alcohol when he was out of the house and another responsible adult was 

watching Children. (Id. at 57). At that hearing, A.M.S. testified that she had 

seen her father consume alcohol during custodial periods. (Id. at 57). Mother 

further testified to a series of incidents on June 28, 2019, July 13, 2019, July 

20, 2019, and July 27, 2019, when Father was supposed to have custody of 

Children but either was drinking at a bar; had posted pictures on Facebook of 

himself drinking alcohol; or had left Children with his mother to drink alcohol. 

(Id. at 59-60). Additionally, Mother expressed concern that she found a 

receipt for a 12-pack of beer purchased near Father’s house on the day of his 

custodial period. (Id. at 62-63).

Father, however, denied drinking 24 hours prior to his custodial periods 

or around Children. (Id. at 159). He averred that he had a drug and alcohol 

evaluation and did not receive treatment. (Id.). Father denied that he had 

left Children at home to drink, claiming, for example, that he had stayed late 

at a Memorial Day cookout to help clean up. (Id. at 167-68). Father claimed 

that the June 2019 order which took away his overnights was “based on a lie,” 

because A.M.S. had first stated that she saw Father drinking, but then 

changed her statement to aver that Mother had told her to say that. (Id. at 

169, 171-72). Father claimed that he had not lost his job because of his 

alcoholism, but because he “went to a Super Bowl party and ... went to work 

and ... fell asleep and ... still smelled like alcohol.” (Id. at 173). 

Again, Father’s argument requests that we reweigh the court’s findings. 
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Nevertheless, the court heard testimony from both parents regarding Father’s 

drinking habits, as well as reviewed its own past orders regarding Father’s 

drinking habits. Our review of the record supports the trial court’s analysis. 

Thus, we accept the trial court's findings and decline to reweigh the evidence. 

See C.R.F., supra. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s custody order.

Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.

Prothonotary

Date: 4/19/2021