Opinion ID: 1222695
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: family law master's findings

Text: After hearing the evidence above, the family law master issued 111 findings of fact. In addition to enumerating the findings of fact, factual conclusions and ultimate facts were included in her findings. The family law master found Ashley's allegations were true: 2. The Court finds that Ashley [H.] was telling the truth when she told, first her mother, Sherry [H.], Petitioner herein, then her mother's sister, Babs [B.], in the summer and fall of 1989, then continued complaining to her mother until July of 1990, and then later told psychologist Linda Workman in August 1990, and later to Pam Rockwell in October 1990, that her father, Stephen L.[H.], had sexually molested her. This finding is based not only upon the testimony and credibility of these witnesses as more fully described hereinbelow, but also upon the testimony of Petitioner's and Respondent's lay witnesses: particularly Respondent's mother, Edith [A.]; Respondent's friends, Steve and Nancy [F.]; Respondent's witnesses, former ex-babysitters Donna [H.] and Barbara [D.]; and Tom [M.], all of whom, having had ample opportunity to observe, described Ashley [H.] as intelligent, mature for her age, and truthful. It was the determination of the family law master that Sherry H. was a credible witness and did not coach Ashley into making the allegations of abuse. While the family law master noted the evidence regarding the alleged financial motivation of Sherry H. to falsely accuse her former husband, she found the rehabilitation evidence more persuasive. [3] Furthermore, the family law master found Sherry H. was not pursuing these allegations for improper motives. [4] The family law master found the expert testimony of Ms. Rockwell, Ms. Workman, and Dr. Preville to be credible and convincing. [5] Dr. Gardner's opinions, however, were given little weight. [6] The family law master outlined Stephen H.'s testimony and characterized it as not credible. The family law master stated except for his firm denial that he molested his daughters, [his testimony was] evasive, argumentative, peculiar, and generally not credible; furthermore, his inartful attempts to plug incongruent evidence of Petitioner's motivations, and Ms. Rockwell's videotape into his expert's theories are obvious and further reduce his credibility. Stephen H.'s conduct during the hearings before the family law master was also criticized. [7] Accordingly, the family law master found Stephen H. sexually molested Ashley on several occasions and probably molested Chelsey between the summer of 1989 and 1990. She recommended that visitation with Stephen H. be terminated until he satisfactorily completes psychological treatment. The family law master also recommended that Stephen H. pay for the cost of the psychiatric treatment for the girls, the cost of the proceedings, and Sherry H.'s attorney fees.