Court Opinion

ID: 8210814
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-30 16:10:09.695482+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:41:56.877227
License: Public Domain

J-S24002-22

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    DARLENA GRAVES                             :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    MIA M. GRAVES EUGENE D.                    :
    WATSON                                     :
                                               :   No. 203 EDA 2022
                                               :
    APPEAL OF: MIA M. GRAVES

                 Appeal from the Order Entered January 4, 2022
              In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
                    Domestic Relations at No(s): XC0804474

BEFORE:      PANELLA, P.J., LAZARUS, J., and PELLEGRINI, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, P.J.:                        FILED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

        Mia M. Graves (“Mother”), pro se, appeals from the order granting her

co-defendant, Eugene Watson (“Father”),1 sole physical and legal custody of

____________________________________________

*   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.

1 Although this appeal involves a custody action, we will use the parties’ names
in the caption “as they appeared on the record of the trial court at the time
the appeal was taken.” Pa.R.A.P. 904(b)(1). Notably, “upon application of a
party and for cause shown, an appellate court may exercise its discretion to
use the initials of the parties in the caption based upon the sensitive nature
of the facts included in the case record and the best interest of the child.”
Pa.R.A.P. 904(b)(2); see also Pa.R.A.P. 907(a). Neither party has applied to
this Court for the use of initials in the caption. We will, however, refer to the
minor involved in this custody dispute by his initials or as “Child” to protect
his identity.
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their son, A.G. (“Child”). We affirm.

      Child was born in January 2008. Since his birth, Child primarily lived

with Mother in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Maternal Grandmother, Darlena

Graves, also lives in Philadelphia while Father lives in Middletown, Delaware.

In October 2009, the trial court entered a temporary custody order granting

Mother custody of Child without prejudice to Father, who was facing criminal

charges at that time. However, the trial court did not enter a final custody

order regarding Child.

      On April 29, 2019, Maternal Grandmother filed a custody complaint,

seeking primary physical and shared legal custody of Child, and named Mother

and Father as defendants. Subsequently, Mother filed a complaint, seeking

sole physical and legal custody of Child, and naming Maternal Grandmother

as the sole defendant. At this time, Father did not file a petition for custody

and the trial court did not join him as a necessary party to the complaints.

After the parties could not agree on a plan for custody, the matter was

scheduled for a hearing before the trial court.

      At the hearing, Maternal Grandmother indicated that Child was living

with Father and that she sought to change her request from primary physical

custody to visitation. Maternal Grandmother indicated that since the last court

date, Child ran away from home on two occasions and that he was living with

Father.

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      Mother   responded     that   Maternal   Grandmother     undermined     her

relationship with Child, including coaching Child to leave Mother’s home and

taking Child to Father’s home in Delaware. Mother also indicated that Child

has severe medical issues, including asthma, and Father was not an

appropriate parent.

      Following the hearing, the trial court entered an order granting Father

sole legal and primary physical custody of Child and Mother partial, supervised

physical custody of Child every second, third, and fourth weekend of every

month with a person agreed to by Maternal Grandmother’s counsel. The trial

court also granted Maternal Grandmother visitation as mutually arranged and

agreed by Maternal Grandmother, Father, and Child.

      This Court reversed the trial court’s order in a published opinion. See

Graves v. Graves, 265 A.3d 688 (Pa. Super. 2021). Specifically, the Court

concluded that the trial court erred in granting sole physical and legal custody

of Child to Father, because Father never had custody of Child, was never

joined as a party to the litigation, and did not formally seek custody by petition

or counterclaim; the Court noted that only Mother and Grandmother sought

custody of Child. See id. at 702. To that end, this Court found that because

Father was improperly granted custody of Child, the visitation portion of the

order was also improper. See id. at 702-03. Moreover, this Court found that

the trial court failed to properly consider all the factors necessary for custody

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and relocation of a child under 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 5328(a) and 5537(h).2 See

id. at 700-02. Accordingly, this Court directed the trial court to join Father as

a party; inform Father that he could file an objection to joinder and file a

counterclaim asserting custody of Child; and that if Father did not seek

custody, the trial court must rule only upon the petitions filed by Mother and

Maternal Grandmother. See id. at 703.

       In the interim, on September 22, 2021,3 Father filed a complaint for

custody of Child, seeking sole legal and physical custody. Subsequently, the

trial court reinstated the complaints for custody filed by Mother and

Grandmother. The trial court held a custody hearing on January 4, 2022, at

which, inter alia, the trial court confirmed that Father was a party to the action,

and that Maternal Grandmother, who was not seeking custody, was excused

from the proceeding. Further, Child testified that Mother had abused him and

that there was a continuing risk of abuse; Father was better for his daily,

physical, emotional, developmental, and educational needs; and that he

wanted to live with Father. Following the hearing, the trial court entered an

____________________________________________

2 As noted below, the Graves Court highlighted that where neither parent is
seeking to relocate and only the child would be moving, Section 5537 is not
triggered; rather any relocation factor not already incorporated by the court’s
consideration of the relevant custody factors may be addressed under Section
5328(a)(16). See Graves, 265 A.3d at 702 (citing D.K. v. S.P.K., 102 A.3d
467, 477 (Pa. Super. 2014)).

3This Court initially published its Graves opinion on September 17, 2021.
However, the court later withdrew the opinion and refiled it on October 18,
2021.

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order, granting Father sole legal and physical custody of Child. The trial court

further provided that Mother and Maternal Grandmother had visitation rights

to be arranged and agreed to by Father.

       Mother filed a timely notice of appeal,4 and a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise

statement.5

       In a disjointed brief,6 Mother reasserts various claims from the hearing

on the custody petitions that we will address together. More specifically,

Mother argues that the trial judge retaliated against her based upon her

complaints of sexual harassment against the master in the case, and was

biased, which impacted the assessment of the factual findings and credibility

of the witnesses. See Mother’s Brief at 1, 5, 28, 30. Mother further claims that

____________________________________________

4 After filing the appeal, Mother filed a pro se motion seeking the recusal of
the trial court judge. On February 28, 2022, the trial court judge granted the
motion and directed that another judge be appointed to the case.

5We note that Mother failed to file her concise statement contemporaneously
with her notice of appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i) (providing that, in
Children’s Fast Track appeals, a Rule 1925(b) statement “shall be filed and
served with the notice of appeal.”); see also Pa.R.A.P. 905(a)(2) (same).
Accordingly, this Court issued an order directing Mother to comply with Rule
1925(a)(2)(i) and (b). Mother complied with this Court’s order; accordingly,
we decline to find that her issues are waived.

6 Mother’s pro se brief does not conform to the basic requirements set forth
in Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a), including failing to include (1) a statement of
jurisdiction, (2) the order in question, (3) a statement of the questions
involved, (4) a summary of the argument, or (5) a distinct argument section.
See Pa.R.A.P. 2111(a). Nevertheless, although a pro se appellant is not
entitled to special treatment, we can discern Mother’s legal issues from her
brief and will address them on appeal.

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in granting Father sole legal and physical custody, the trial judge misapplied

the factors at 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5328, diminished Mother’s character while

supporting Father’s character, and failed to allow Mother to submit supporting

documentation at the hearing. See id. at 1, 3-4, 29-30.7 Mother further

contends that the trial judge allowed Child to move 60 miles from her home

without assessing Child’s relationships with his siblings. See id. at 28. Mother

concludes that the trial judge did not show that there was clear and convincing

evidence it was in Child’s best interest to live with Father, and his order that

Mother can have custodial times as arranged by Father was clearly meant to

deprive her of seeing Child. See id. at 29-30.

       Mother claims that Maternal Grandmother sought custody of Child to

punish Mother for not fostering a relationship with Maternal Grandmother. See

id. at 2, 27-28. Mother argues that Maternal Grandmother made a false report

that abuse was present in Mother’s home; kidnapped Child; hid Child while

police investigated Child’s whereabouts; and devised a plan with Father to

have Child transported to Father’s home in Delaware. See id. Mother also

contends that Maternal Grandmother has no standing to pursue custody. See

id. at 27.

____________________________________________

7 Importantly, Mother does not raise any claims challenging the relevant
relocation factors at Section 5537(h); thus, we find any such challenge waived
on appeal.

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       Finally, Mother maintains that Father should not have custody of Child,

noting that Father had no contact with Child and did not know Child’s medical

history. See id. at 4. Mother additionally asserts that the trial court had no

knowledge of Father’s living arrangements, Father’s financial ability to take

care of Child and meet his medical needs, or the backgrounds of people in

Father’s home. See id. at 3, 4, 28; see also Addendum to Brief, 9/9/22, at

2; Addendum to Brief, 9/6/22, at 5. Further, Mother claims that Child’s two

siblings have had a difficult time since Child left her home. See Mother’s Brief

at 4; see also Addendum to Brief, 9/9/22, at 2. Mother also contends that

Father has a lengthy criminal record, including embezzling money and selling

drugs, and has been committing fraud on the court in this case for 14 years.

See Mother’s Brief at 3, 28. Moreover, Mother asserts that Father has evaded

paying child support and has turned Child against Mother, by coaching him

and denying him visits and communication with Mother, in retaliation for being

arrested multiple times for failing to pay child support. See id.; see also

Addendum to Brief, 9/9/22, at 2. Likewise, Mother argues that Father has

prevented her from contacting Child and has used court proceedings and social

media to emotionally abuse her. See Mother’s Brief at 2-3, 28; see also

Addendum to Brief, 9/9/22, at 2; Addendum to Brief, 9/6/22, at 5.8

____________________________________________

8 Mother also raises claims regarding a support order, arrears she believes
should be removed from her credit report, and a tax lien she believes should
be lifted. See Mother’s Brief at 31. However, such claims are not related to
(Footnote Continued Next Page)

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       Our standard of review is deferential:

       We review a trial court’s determination in a custody case for
       an abuse of discretion, and our scope of review is broad. Because
       we cannot make independent factual determinations, we must
       accept the findings of the trial court that are supported by the
       evidence. We defer to the trial judge regarding credibility and the
       weight of the evidence. The trial judge’s deductions or inferences
       from its factual findings, however, do not bind this Court. We may
       reject the trial court’s conclusions only if they involve an error of
       law or are unreasonable in light of its factual findings.

C.A.J. v. D.S.M., 136 A.3d 504, 506 (Pa. Super. 2016) (citation omitted).

       “With any child custody case, the paramount concern is the best

interests of the child.” M.J.M. v. M.L.G., 63 A.3d 331, 334 (Pa. Super. 2013)

(citation omitted). “This standard requires a case-by-case assessment of all

the factors that may legitimately affect the physical, intellectual, moral and

spiritual well-being of the child.” Id. (citation omitted).

       The Custody Act provides a non-exhaustive list of the 16 factors a court

is required to consider to determine the best interests of the child as follows:

       § 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
____________________________________________

the order at issue in this case. Accordingly, we will not address Mother’s claims
in this regard.

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     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.

     (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.

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      (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).

      Moreover, as noted above, the trial court is not required to conduct a

separate, distinct consideration of the relocation factors because neither

parent is relocating and only Child would be moving. See D.K., 102 A.3d at

477 (stating that “a custody case where neither parent is seeking to relocate

and only the children would be moving to a significantly distant location if

custody shifted from one parent to another does not per se trigger section

5337 of the Child Custody Act.”). Instead, any relevant relocation factor not

already incorporated by the court’s consideration of the custody factors may

be addressed under Section 5328(a)(16). See id.

      Additionally, in any custody action, the trial court must “delineate the

reasons for its decision on the record in open court or in a written opinion or

order.” 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5323(d). However, “[i]n expressing the reasons for its

decision, there is no required amount of detail for the trial court’s explanation;

all that is required is that the enumerated factors are considered and that the

custody decision is based on those considerations.” A.V. v. S.T., 87 A.3d 818,

823 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citation and quotation marks omitted).

      Here, the trial court addressed each of the factors set forth at Sections

5328(a) in its custody opinion, as required by Section 5323(d). See Trial Court

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Opinion, 3/3/22, at 11-19 (addressing the factors set forth at Section

5328(a)); see also N.T., 1/4/22, at 21-66. In discussing each factor at

Section 5328(a), the trial court found seven factors favor Father (1, 2, 7, 9,

10, 11, 13), and the remaining nine factors were neutral and did not favor

either party (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 15). See Trial Court Opinion, 3/3/22, at 11-

19. Additionally, the trial court found that Father’s relationship with Child was

enhancing and improving his life; Child was flourishing in school in Delaware;

and Child and Father would promote and preserve contact with Mother and

Child. See Trial Court Opinion, 3/3/22, at 12-15; see also D.K., 102 A.3d at

477 (noting that the trial court would still need to consider the age and needs

of the child and the impact of the child’s change of residence on the his/her

physical,   educational   and   emotional     development    —    23   Pa.C.S.A.

§ 5337(h)(2)), preserving the relationship between the other parent and the

child — Section 5337(h)(3)), and whether the change in the child’s home will

enhance the general quality of his/her life — Section 5337(h)(7)). Accordingly,

the trial court weighed all the factors and found that it was in Child’s best

interests to grant sole legal and physical custody to Father in Delaware. See

Trial Court Opinion, 3/3/22, at 19; N.T., 1/4/22, at 66.

      Although the trial judge recused after the instant appeal was filed,

Mother’s claims of bias and retaliation do not establish that the trial court

improperly weighed the factors articulated in Sections 5328(a). Indeed, the

trial court considered all the evidence and testimony of the parties and

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determined the credibility of the witnesses and assessed the weight of their

testimony. See id. at 7, 8; see also id. at 12-13 (wherein the trial court

noted that Mother argued that she was in possession of a letter from the

Department of Human Services that purported to establish that Maternal

Grandmother lied about the abuse in Mother’s home but failed to present the

letter at trial). Additionally, the trial court heard testimony regarding Father’s

financial ability to care for Child and meet Child’s medical needs, considered

Father’s prior criminal history, Father’s testimony that he would enable

communication between Mother and Child, and Child’s relationships with his

siblings. See id. at 9, 11-19; see also N.T., 1/4/22, at 11, 13, 22, 27-31, 34,

36-37, 40, 48-50, 52-53, 57, 63-64. Further, Child testified that he preferred

to live with Father. See Trial Court Opinion, 3/3/22, at 15; see also N.T.,

1/4/22, at 62-64.

      In essence, Mother is asking us to both reject the trial court’s findings

and credibility determinations in favor of the factual findings and credibility

determinations that she proposes and reweigh the evidence. We decline

Mother’s invitation to do so, because we cannot reweigh the evidence and

“[w]e 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.” M.J.M., 63 A.3d at 337 (citation omitted). In conclusion, the

trial court’s findings and determinations are supported by competent record

evidence, and we will not disturb them.

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      Furthermore, regarding Mother’s standing claim against Maternal

Grandmother, the trial court specifically found that Maternal Grandmother was

excused prior to the beginning of the testimony and was therefore not a

participant in this matter, as she was not seeking custody. See N.T., 1/4/22,

at 18-19; see also Trial Court Opinion, 3/3/22, at 8. To the extent Mother

argues that the trial court abused its discretion in granting visitation to

Maternal Grandmother, we conclude that this claim is without merit. Indeed,

the trial court specifically found that Child sought comfort and refuge with

Maternal Grandmother, and she acted in his best interests. See id. at 10.

      Based upon the foregoing, the trial court properly weighed the statutory

custody factors and clearly articulated its considerations in making the custody

award. The evidence of record supports the trial court’s decision, and we do

not find that its judgment was manifestly unreasonable or the product of

partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill will. Accordingly, we find no error or abuse of

discretion.

      Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 9/30/2022

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