J - S63002 - 19

NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 IN THE INTEREST OF: J.G., A MINOR
APPEAL OF: J.G., FATHER : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA
No. 2120 EDA 2019 Appeal from the Order Entered July 8, 2019 In the Court of Comm on Pleas of Philadelphia County Juvenile Division at No(s): CP - 51 - DP - 0002511 - 2017 BEFORE: GANTMAN, P.J.E., MURRAY, J., and STRASSBURGER, J. * MEMORANDUM BY GANTMAN, P.J.E.: FILED JANUARY 08 , 2020 Appellant, J.G. (“Father”), appeals from the order entered in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas that extended the dependency adjudication of J.G. (“Child”) and found Father was the perpetrator of child abuse against Child. We affirm. The rel evant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows. Father and N.H. (“Mother”) are the natural parents of Child, born in August 2017. On September 18, 2017, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (“DHS”) filed a dependency petition for Child based on a lack of parental care and supervision. The court adjudicated Child dependent on September 26, 2017, but permitted Child to remain at home with Father and Mother. A few months later, on December 20, 2017, Child was admitted to St. Christ opher’s Hospital for Children based on his pediatrician’s concerns

_________________ ____________________ _______
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.J - S63002 - 19

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regarding Child’s failure to thrive. At four months old, Child was severely underweight and malnourished. Child was also dirty and had multiple rib fractures in various stages of healing. Due to Child’s condition, the hospital referred Child to DHS. On December 27, 2017, DHS filed an application for an order of protective custody of Child, which the court subsequently granted. Following a shelter care hearing on December 28, 2017, the court placed Child in foster care upon his release from the hospital. DHS filed a second dependency petition on January 18, 2018, requesting a finding of abuse against Father and Mother. Following hearings on April 2, 2019, and July 8, 2019, the court
en tered an order extending the dependency adjudication of Child and finding Father and Mother had committed child abuse against Child. On July 25, 2019, Father filed a timely notice of appeal and a contemporaneous concise statement of errors complained of o n appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925. 1 Father raises the following issues for our review: DID THE TRIAL JUDGE RULE IN ERROR THAT T HE PHILADELPHIA CITY SO LICITOR’S OFFICE [ME T] ITS BURDEN OF PROOF THAT THERE SHOULD BE A F INDING OF CHILD ABUSE UNDER TH E CHI LD PROTECTIVE SERVIC ES ACT, 23 PA.C.S. SEC. 6303 [?] DID THE TRIAL COURT JUDGE ERR IN ALLOWIN G FATHER’S CRIMINAL DOCKET AND CRIMINAL COURT SUMMA RY IN AS PART OF THE CHILD AB USE HEARING [?]

_________________ ____________________ _______ 1 Mother filed a separate appeal from the order, which is docketed at No. 2119 EDA 2019 (J - S63001 - 19).J - S63002 - 19

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( Father’s Brief at 2). 2 Our standard of review from an adjudication of dependency: [R] equires an appellate court to accept the findings of fact and credibility determinations of the trial court if they are supported by the record, but does not require the appellate court to accept the [trial] cour t’ s inference s or conclusions of law. Accordingly, we review for an abuse of discretion. In re A. B. , 63 A.3d 345 , 349 (Pa.Super. 20 13 ) ( internal citation omitted ). In other words: “Although bound by the facts, we are not bound by the trial court’s inferences, deductions, and conclusions therefrom; we must exercise our independent judgment in reviewing the court’s determination, as opposed to its findings of fact, and must order whatever right and justice dictate.” In re D.A. , 801 A.2d 614, 61 8 (Pa.Super. 2002) ( en banc ) . During the course of dependency proceedings, a trial court may find a parent to be the perpetrator of child abuse as defined under the Child

_________________ ____________________ _______ 2 Concerning his second issue, Father’s appellate brief contains only a single paragraph argument with no citation s to any supporting legal authority. Father’s failure to develop his issue on appeal compels waiver. See Lackner v. Glosser , 892 A.2d 21 (Pa.Super. 2006) (explaining arguments must adhere to rules of appellate procedure and arguments which are not appropriately developed are waived; arguments not appropriately developed include those where party has failed to cite relevant authority to support contention) ; Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a). Moreover, even if properly preserved, Father’s claim would merit no relief for the reaso ns stated in the trial court’s opinion. ( See Trial Court Opinion, filed August 28, 2019, at 5) (finding: testimony indicated Father was with Child often because he was under house arrest; Father’s criminal summary was also relevant to show if Father was i ncarcerated in December 2017 , which could have negated finding of child abuse against Father; Father showed no prejudice from admission of criminal summary ).J - S63002 - 19

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Prote ctive Services Law (“CPSL”). In Interest of J.M. , 166 A.3d 408, 421 - 22 (Pa.Super. 2017). T he “CPSL does not create or include a separate action for child abuse, and, under the Juvenile Act, a finding of abuse can only be made as part of a dependency pro c eedin g in which abuse is alleged.” In Interest of R.T. , 592 A.2d 55, 59 (Pa.Super. 1991). See also 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6370(b)(2)(i) (stating that if county agency deems it appropriate in dependency or delinquency proceeding, including instance in which alleg ed perpetrator has access or poses threat to child, county agency may petition court for finding of child abuse). The CPSL defines “child abuse,” in relevant part, as follows: § 6303. Definitions (b.1) Child abuse.
— The term “child abuse” shall mean intentionally, knowingly or recklessly doing any of the following: ( 1 ) Causing bodily injury to a child through any recent act or failure to act .

* * * (5) Creating a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to a child through any recent act or failure to act. * * * ( 7 ) Causing serious physical neglect of a child.

* * * 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6303(b.1)( 1),( 5 ) , ( 7 ). “Bodily injury” is defined as “[i]mpairment of physical condition or substantial pain .” 23 Pa.C.S.A. §J - S63002 - 19

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6303(a). “Serious physical neglect” is defined as , inter alia , “[t]he failure to provide a child with adequate essentials of life, including food, shelter, or medical care” which “e ndangers a child’s life or health, threatens a child’s well
being, causes bodily injury or impairs a child’s health, development, or functioning.” Id. The existence of “child abuse” pursuant to Section 6303(b.1) must be proved by clear and convincing evidence. In re L.Z. , 631 Pa. 343 , 361 , 111 A.3d 1164, 1174 (2015) . Under certain circumstance, however, the identity of an abuser may be established by p rima facie evidence. Id. See also In re L.V. , 127 A.3d 831, 837 - 38 (Pa.Super. 2015).

[E]vidence that a child suffered injury that would not ordinarily be sustained but for the acts or omissions of the parent or responsible person is sufficient to establish that the parent or responsible person perpetrated that abuse unless the parent or responsible person rebuts the presumption. The parent or responsible person may present evidence demonstrating that they did not inflict the abuse, potentially by testifying that they gave responsibility for the child to another person about whom they had no reason to fear or perhaps that the injuries were accidental rather than abus ive. The evaluation of the validity of the presumption would then rest with the trial court evaluating the credibility of the prima facie evidence presented by the... agency and the rebuttal of the parent or responsible person. In re L.Z., supra at 379 , 1 11 A.3d at 118 5 (internal footnote omitted). Significantly, courts do not require a parent’s physical presence during the injury for “abuse” to occur. Id . at 377 , 111 A.3d at 1184. To the contrary, our Supreme Court has stated, “parents are always resp onsible for their children, absent extenuating circumstances....” Id. Moreover, “[t]he inclusion of ‘omissions’ encompasses situations where the parent or responsible personJ - S63002 - 19

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is not present at the time of the injury but is nonetheless responsible due to his... failure to provide protection for the child.” Id . After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the parties, the applicable law, and the well - reasoned opinion of the Honorable Vincent Furlong, we conclude Father’s remaining issue merits no r elief. The trial court comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the question presented. ( See Trial Court Opinion, filed August 28, 2019, at 3 - 5) (finding: Dr. Marita Lind, Director of Child Protection Program at St. Christopher’s Hospital and
e xpert in child abuse, testified that Child was underweight because Child was not being fed properly; Dr. Lind additionally testified that there were no medical explanation s for Child’s fractured ribs other than compression, squeezing , or direct blows to Ch ild’s body; Mother admitted to DHS representative that she had “trouble” mixing Child’s formula; neither parent offered explanation for Child’s fractured ribs; court found credible testimony of child abuse expert and DHS representatives; Father spent exten ded periods of time with Child and should have k nown how to feed Child properly; Father also should have noticed Child’s obvious discomfort from fractured ribs; furthermore, Child recovered after placement in foster care; evidence was sufficient to show Fa ther was perpetrator of abuse based on his acts or omissions ). The record supports the court’s decision; therefore, we see no reason to disturb it. Accordingly, we affirm based on the trial court opinion. Order affirmed.J - S63002 - 19

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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary

Date: 1/8/20Circulated 12/23/2019 01:33 PM · ,

T H E F I R S T JU D I C I AL D I S T RI C T O F P ENN S Y L VANI A P HI L A D E L P H I A C O U N T Y C O U RT O F C O MM O N P L E A S IN T H E IN T E RE S T O F : 

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# . . N N P R O C ED U RAL ID S T O R Y 

### O n Ap ri l 2 , 2 0 1 9 an d Ju l y 

### 8 , 2 0 1 9 , th e tri al 

### c o urt h e l d h e ari n g s t o d e t e rm i n e i f 

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### Gt

. ( " C hi l d " )
. F ath e r w a s p r e s e nt at th e h e ari n g an d r e p r e s e nt ed b y c o un s e l. A ft e r e xte n s i v e t e s ti m o ny , th e
c o urt m a d e a fi n d i n g o f c hi l d ab u s e v e r s u s F ath e r . A N o t i c e o f Ap p e al w a s fi l e d b y 

### F ath e r o n Ju l y 2 5 , 2 0 1 9
. S T A T E M EN T O F MA T T E RS C O MP L AINE D O F O N AP P E A L 

### F ath e r ' s S t at e m e nt o f M att e r s C o mp l ai n e d o fo n Ap p e a l i s s e t fo rth 

### b e l o w i n v e r b at i m : 1
. T h e Ju d g e ru l e d i n e rro r th at th e P hi l a d e lp hi a C i ty S o li c i t o r ' s O ffi c e m e t i t s b ur d e n o f p ro o f t o p r o v e th at h e w a s a p e rp e tr at o r o f c hi l d ab u s e un d e r 2 3 P a . C. S
. § 6 3 0 3
. T h e b ur d e n i n a c hi l d ab u s e h e ari n g i s c l e ar an d c o nv in c in g . At th e h e ar in g th e C i ty an d D H S d i d n o t p ut o n e n o u g h e v i d e n c e t o m e e t i t s b ur d e n o f p ro o f th at F ath e r s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d a p e rp e tr at o r o fc hi l d ab u s e un d e r 2 3 P a . C
. S
. § 6 3 0 3
. 2
. T h e Ju d g e ru l e d i n e rr o r b y al l o w i n g F ath e r ' s c ri m i n al d o c k e t an d s umm ary in as e v i d e n c e a s p art o f th e c h il d ab u s e h e ari n g . T h e e v i d e n c e w as n o t r e l e v ant. I f th e r e w a s any r e l e v an ce th e p r e j u d i c i a l e ff

e c t s gr e at l y o utw e i g h e d th e r e l e v an c e . F ath e r ' s c rim inal r e c o r d ha d n o th i n g t o d o wi th th e c hi l d ab u s e al l e g ati o n s .

P a g e 1 o f 7

### F I N D I N G S O F F A C T O n D e c e mb e r '2 4 , 2 0 1 7 , fo ll o wi n g an e x am i n at i o n 

### b y hi s p e d i atri c i an , C hi l d
w a s r e fe rr e d t o S t. C hri s t o p h e r ' s H o s p i t a l fo r C hi l dr e n an d a s ub s e qu e nt r ep o rt w a s
m a d e t o th e P h il ad e lp h i a D e p artm e nt o f Hum an S e rv i c e s ( " D H S " ) b a s e d o n
o b s e rv at i o n s o f C hi l d ' s fa ilur e t o thri v e . C h i l d w a s al s o fo u l s m e lli n g an d d i rty
. ( S t at e m e nt o f

N arr at i v e - D B S E xhib it 6 )
. D H S i s s u e d a C h il d P ro t e c t i v e S e rv i c e s ( " C P S " ) Rep o rt wh i c h in d i c at e d th at M o th e r w as n o t p r o p e rl y m i xi n g C hi l d ' s fo rmul a c au s i n g th e C hi l d t o be s e v e r e l y un d e rw e i g ht an d m al n o uri s h e d
. Up o n furth e r m e d i c al e x am i n at i o n , i t w a s d e t e rm in e d th at C hi l d h a d mu l tip l e fr a c tur e d
ri b s . B a s e d u

p o n th e s e fi n d i n g s , C hi l d w a s h o s p i t al i z e d fo r s e v e r al o f w e e k s d urin g
whi c h ti m e C h il d g ai n e d s i g n i fi c ant w e i g ht an d C hi l d ' s fr a c tur e s h e al e d
. C hi l d w a s p l a c e d 

### in a fo s t e r c ar e h o m e an d s i n c e p l a c e m e nt has n e v e r i n c urr e d a fr a c t ur e d b o n e an d i s w e ll n o uri s h ed an d thri vi n g . N e i th e r M o th e r n o r F ath e r o ff e r e d a
s ati s fa c t o r y e xp l an at i o n fo r C h il d ' s fr a c t ur e d rib s o r why C hi l d w a s s e v e r e l y
un d e rw e i g ht. A ft e r e x t e n s i v e t e s t i m o ny , th e c o urt m a d e a fi n d in g o f c h il d ab u s e
v e r s u s F ath e r o n Jul y 8 , 2 0 1 9
. A N o ti c e o fAp p e al w a s fil e d b y F ath e r o n Ju l y 2 5 , 2 0 1 9
. 

### L E GA L A N AL Y S I S I n o r d e r fo r th e co urt t o d e t e rm i n e i f a p ar e nt i s a p e rp e tr at o r o fc hi l d
ab u s e p ur s u ant t o th e C h il d P ro t e c ti v e S e rv i c e s L aw ( " C P S L " ) , D R S , a s th e
m o v i n g p arty , mu s t d e m o n s tr at e b y c l e ar an d c o nv i n c i n g e v i d e n c e th at th e
s t atut e i s s at i s fi e d
. S i n c e p ro o f o f c h il d ab u s e i s o ft e n c i r c um s t ant i a l , th e C P S L p e rm it s e v i d e n c e th at w o ul d n o rm al l y b e b arr e d un d e r th e Juv e ni l e

P a g e 2 o f 7A c t. E v i d e n c e th at a c h il d h as s u ff e r e d a b u s e o f s u c h a n at

ur e as w o u l d
o r d i n ari l y n o t b e s u s tain e d o r e x i s t 

### ex c e p t b y r e as o n o fth e a c t s o r o m i s s i o n s
o f th e p ar e nt s 1 • 

### I. T h e tri a l c o urt d i d n o t c o mm i t r e v e r s i b l e e rr o r wh e n i t m a d e a fi n d i n g o f c h il d ab u s e a g a i n s t F ath e r D uri n g th e h e ari n g o n Ap ri l 2 , 2 0 1 9 , th e tri al c o urt h e ar d t e s t im o ny fro m D r . M ari t a L i n d , th e D i r e c t o r o f th e C h i l d P r o t e c ti o n P r o gr am at S t. C hri s t o p h e r ' s H o s p i t a l fo r C hi l dr e n i n P hi l a d e lp h i a an d an e xp e rt i n c hi l d
ab u s e . (N
. T
. Ap ril 2 , 2 0 1 9 P a g e 7 )
. D r . Li n d c o n clu d ed th at th e C hi l d w as
un d e rw e i g ht d

u e t o th e C hi l d n o t b e in g p r o p e rl y f e d
. Thi s a p p e ar e d unu s u a l t o D r . Li n d s i n c e th i s w a s M o th e r ' s fi fth c h il d
. (N
. T
. Ap ril 2 , 2 0 1 9 P a g e s 3 0 - 3 2 )
. D r . L i n d in di c at e d th at th e r e w a s p r o b ab l y n o o th e r m e di c al c au s e fo r C hi l d b e in g un d e rw e i ght an d n o t e d ( 1 ) C hi l d ' s w e i ght i n c r e a s e d dr am at i c al l y

1 2 3 P a . C
. S .A. § 6 3 8 1 G e n e r a l r u l e . - - In a d d i t i o n t o th e ru l e s o fe v i d e n c e p ro v i d e d un d e r 4 2 P a . C
. S
. C h
. 6 3 ( r e l at in g t o j uv e n il e m att e r s ) , th e ru l es o fe v i d e n ce in thi s s ec ti o n s h a ll g o v e rn in c h il d ab u s e p ro c e e d in g s in c o urt o r in any d e p artm e nt a dm i n i s tr at i v e h e arin g p ur s uant t o s e ct i o n 6 3 4 1 ( r e l at in g t o am e n dm e nt o r e xp un c ti o n o f in fo rm ati o n)
. (b ) R e p o rts o f un av a il ab l e p e r s o n s . - Wh e n e v e r a p e r s o n r e qu ir e d t o r e p o rt un d e r th i s c h a p t e r i s un av a il ab l e d

u e t o d e ath o r r e m o v a l fr o m th e j uri s d i c t i o n o f th e c o urt , th e wri tt e n r ep o rt o f th at p e r s o n s h a ll b e a dm i s s ib l e in e v i d e n c e in any p r o c e e d in g s ari s in g o ut o f c h il d a b u s e o th e r th an p r o c e e d in g s wi d e r T i tl e 1 8 ( r e l atin g t o crim e s an d o ff en s e s )
. Any h e ar s ay c o nt ai n e d in th e r ep o rts s h a ll b e g i v e n s u c h w e i ght , i fany , a s th e c o urt d e t e rm in e s t o b e a p p ro p ri at e un d e r a ll o f

th e c ir c um s t an c e s . H o w e v e r , any h e ar s ay c o nta i n e d in a wri tt e n r epo rt s h a ll n o t o f i ts e l f b e s u f fi ci e nt t o s u p p o rt an a d

j u d i c ati o n b a s e d o n ab u s e . ( c ) P ri v il e g e d c o mmun i c at i o n s . - E x c e p t fo r p ri v il e g e d c o mmun i c at i o n s b e tw e e n a l awy e r an d a c li e nt an d b e tw e e n a m in i s t e r an d a p e n i t e nt , a p ri v il e g e o f c o n fi d e nt i a l c o mmun i c ati o n b e tw e e n hu s b an d an d w i f e o r b e tw e e n any p ro fe s s i o n a l p e r s o n , in c lu din g , b ut n o t l im i t e d t o , p hy s ic i an s , p s y c h o l o g i s t s , c o un s e l o r s , e mp l o y e e s o f h o s p i ta l s , cl ini c s , d ay -c ar e ce nt e rs an d s c h o o l s an d th e ir p ati e nt s o r c li e nt s , s h a ll n o t c o ns ti tut e gr o un d s fo r e x c lu d i n g e v i d e n c e at any p ro c e e d in g r e g ar din g c h il d ab u s e o r th e c au s e o f c h il d ab u s e . ( d) P ri m a f

a ci e e v i d e n c e o f a

b u s e . - - E v i d e n c e th at a c h il d h as s u ff e r e d c h il d ab u s e o f s u c h a n atur e as w o u l d o rd in aril y n o t b e s u s t a i n e d o r e x i s t e x c e p t b y r e a s o n o f th e ac t s o r o m i s s i o ns o f

th e p ar e nt o r o th e r p e r s o n r e s po n s i b l e fo r th e w e l f

ar e o f th e c h il d s h a ll b e p rim a f

a ci e e v i d e n c e o f

c hi l d ab u s e b y th e p ar e nt o r o th e r p e r s o n r e s p o n s ib l e fo r th e w e l f

ar e o f th e c h il d
. ( e ) C h il d v i c t i m s an d wi tn e ss es . - - In a d d i ti o n t o th e p ro v i s i o n s o f th i s s e c ti o n , any c o n s i d e r at i o n a ff o r d e d t o a c hi l d v i c ti m o r w i tn e s s p ur s u ant t o 4 2 P h
. C
. ' s . C h
. 5 9 S u c h
. D ( r e l at in g t o c hi l d v i c ti m s an d w i tn e s s e s ) 1 i n any p ro s e c uti o n o r a d

j u di c at i o n s h al l b e aff

o r d e d t o a c h il d in c h il d ab u s e p ro c e e din g s in c o urt o r in an y d ep artm e nt a dm in i s tr at i v e h e ari n g p ur s u ant t o s e c t i o n 6 3 4 1
. P a g e 3 o f 7as r e s u l t o f p r o p e r fe e d i n g ; ( 2 ) th e r e w a s n o i n di c ati o n th at th e C hi l d w as b o rn unh e a l thy ; an d ( 3 ) th e C hi l d ha d a d e qu at e c al ci um an d V it am i n D l e v e l s an d h a d n o s ymp t o m s o f a c i d r e flux . (N
. T
. Ap ril 2 , 2 0 1 9 P a g e s 1 6
- 2 1 )
. D r . L i n d
a l s o i n d i c at e d th at th e C h il d ' s b o n e d e n s i ty w a s n o rm a l. (N
. T
. Ap ril 2 , 2 0 1 9 P a g e 3 6 )
. A d d i t i o n al l y , th e r e w a s n o m e d i c al e xp l an ati o n fo r th e C h il d ' s fr a c tur e d rib s o th e r th an c o mp r e s s i o n , s qu e e z i n g o r d i r e c t b l o w s t o th e C h il d ' s b o dy . (N
. T
. Ap ri l 2 , 2 0 1 9 P a g e s 2 8
- 2 9 )
. D r . L i n d t e s t i fi e d th at s h e
e xp e c t e d th at s o m e o n e fam ili ar w i th th e C hil d w o u l d h av e n o t i c e d th e C h il d
e xp e ri e n c e d d i s c o m fo rt fr o m th e ri b fr a c tur e s b e c au s e D r . L i n d n o t i c e d th e C h i l d ' s d i s c o m fo rt d

uri n g h e r ini ti al e x am i n at i o n o f th e C hi l d
. D urin g th e h e arin g o n Jul y 8 , 2 0 1 9 , M s . Am an da A qui l a, a D H S Rep r e s e nt at i v e , t e s ti fi e d th at s h e int e rv i e w ed M o th e r wh o in d i cat e d th at s h e
w as hav i n g tr o ub l e mi x i n g th e C hi l d ' s fo rmu l a an d th at s h e an d F ath e r w e r e p r o v i d i n g c ar e p r o p e r c ar e fo r th e C h il d
. (N
. T
. Jul y 8 , 2 0 1 9 P a g e 13
- 1 4 )
. M s . A qui l a a l s o t e s t i fi e d th at s h e i nt e rv i e w e d F ath e r an d h e w a s n o t c o o p e r at i v e d uri n g th e i nt e rv i e w . M s . A qu il a i n d i c at e d d urin g h e r t e s ti m o ny th at F ath e r
w a s wi th th e C h il d fo r e xt e n d e d p e ri o d s o f ti m e b e c au s e h e w a s un d e r h o us e
arr e s t fo r a c ri m i n al m att e r . B o th p ar e nts i n d i c at ed th at o th e r f am il y m e mb e rs al s o t o o k c ar e o f

th e C h i l d
. Th e P ar e nt s , h o w e v e r , c o ul d o ff e r n o e xp l an at i o n fo r th e C h il d ' s fr a c t

ur e d rib s . MS

. A qui l a t e s t i fi e d th at s h e b e li e v e d th at 

### i t ha p p e n e d d uri n g a p e ri o d o ft i m e wh e n M o th e r an d F ath e r an d p o s s ib l y o th e r f am il y m e mb e r s h a d a c c e s s t o th e C h il d
. 

### Mr
. F r an c i s J am e s , a D H S

P a g e 4 o f 7R ep r e s e nt ati v e , t e s t i fi e d th at C h il d e xp e r i e n c e d n o fr a c tur e d b o n e s a ft e r b e i n g p l a c e d i n fo s t e r c ar e . T h e t e s ti m o ny o f D r . Li n d an d M s . A qu il a an d Mr
. J am e s w a s
a c c o r d e d gr e at w e i g ht b y th e tri al c o urt
. S p e c i al d e fe r e n c e w a s g i v e n t o D r . Li n d ' s c o n clu s i o n th at th e rib fr a c tur e s w e r e n o t a c ci d e nt a l an d th at C h il d ' s
w e i g ht g ai n w a s i mm e di at e an d s i g ni fi c ant u p o n b e i n g p r o p e rly fe d
. F ath e r
w a s a c ar e g i v e r wh o s p e nt e nti r e d ay s wi th th e C hi l d , wh o s h o u l d h av e p ro p e rl y fe d th e C h il d an d n o t i c e d th e C h i l d ' s di s c o m fo rt fr o m h i s fr a c t ur e d
rib s . C o un s e l fo r F ath e r a ll e g e s th at th e i ntr o d u c t i o n o f th e F ath e r ' s
c ri m i n al r e c o r d an d c o nv i c t i o n w a s n o t r e l e v ant. T e s t i m o ny i n di c at e d F ath e r
s p e nt ti m e w i th C h il d b e c au s e h e w a s un d e r h o u s e arr e s t fo r a c ri m i n al m att e r . M o r e o v e r , th e tri al c o urt al s o w ant e d t o d e t e rmi n e i f th e F ath e r w a s i n
c u s t o dy i n D e c e mb e r 2 0 1 7 , whi c h w o ul d h av e a c t u al l y b e c o m e e v i d e n c e t e n d i n g t o n e g at e th e c h arg e o f c h il d ab u s e a s t o F ath e r . F urth e rm o r e , th i s
w a s n o t a j ury tri al an d C o un s e l fo r th e F ath e r h a s o ff e r e d n o e v i d e n c e th at th e tri a l c o urt ' s ab i li ty t o r e as o n th e fa c t s an d l aw s a p p li c ab l e t o thi s c a s e w a s p r e j u d i c e d b y th e i ntr o d

u c t i o n o f F ath e r ' s c rim i nal hi s t o ry . A l th o u g h n o p e r s o n e v e r adm i tt e d t o s tri ki n g th e C hi l d o r d e p ri v i n g th e C h il d o f fo o d , th e C hi l d ' s fr a c tur e d rib s , p o o r h e al th an d p o o r hy g i e n e an d i mm e d i at e r e c o v e ry
wh e n p l a c e d i n fo s t e r c ar e w e r e i n di c at i o n s o f c h il d ab u s e b a s e d u p o n b o th P ar e nt s ' a c t s o r o mi s s i o n s .

P a g e 5 o f 7

# . .

. C O N C L U S I O N 

### A ft e r r e v i e w o f

th e t e s t i m o ny an d s u

p p o rt in g d o c um e nt ati o n , th e tri al
c o urt fi n d s i t d e t e rm i n e d c o rr e c t ly th at th e r e b e a fi n di n g o f c h i l d ab u s e v e r s u s F ath e r . F or th e fo r e g o i n g r e as o n s , th i s c o urt r e qu e s t s th at th e Ju ly 8 , 2 0 1 9 O rd e r b e A F F I RM E D . B Y T H E C O UR T

P a g e 6 o f 7

### C E RT I F I C A T E O F 

### S E R V I C E I h e r e b y c e rt i fy th at a tru e an d c o rr e c t c o p y o f th e ab o v e - c a p ti o n e d O p i ni o n w a s fil e d o n th e un d e r s i g n e d d at e i n th e C o urt o f C o mm o n P l e a s o f P hi l a d e lp hi a C o unty 

### F am il y C o urt D i v i s i o n an d s e rv e d b y fi r s t cl as s m ai l
u p o n th e fo ll o wi n g : P au l M c L au g hl i n , E s q uire

P h il a d e lp hi a L aw D e p artm e nt O n e 

### P ark w ay 1 5 1 5 Ar c h S tr e e t - 1 6 1 11. F l o o r P hi l ad e lp hi a , P A 1 9 1 0 2 Att o rn e y fo r D B S M ar y B e th C h e rn i ak , E s qui r e P
. O
. B o x 6 9 72 Wy o m i s s i n g , P A 1 9 6 1 0 R uth M ab e l B ri c e , E s quir e 1 8 0 0 JF K B l v d S ui t e 3 0 0 P h il a d e lp hi a, P A J e ffr e y C
. B ru c h , E s quir e 1 5 1 5 M ark e t S tr e e t S ui t e 1 2 0 0 P h il a d e lp hi a , P A 1 9 10 2

P a g e 7 o f 7