V.C.T. v. J.W.T.

J-A01042-21
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION – SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
V.C.T., : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee :
:
v. :
:
J.W.T., :
:
Appellant : No. 1372 EDA 2020
Appeal from the Order Entered July 10, 2020
in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
Civil Division at No(s): No. 2010-33188
BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., OLSON, J. and STRASSBURGER, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY BENDER, P.J.E.: FILED: APRIL 5, 2021
J.W.T. (Father) appeals from the July 10, 2020 order relating to the
trial court’s earlier June 12, 2020 primary physical custody award of J.T.
(Daughter) to V.C.T. (Mother) and a contempt finding as to Father of a prior
custody order. Upon review, we affirm.
We summarize the relevant facts and procedural history of this case as
follows. Mother and Father, who married, separated, and divorced in 2001,
2010, and 2016, respectively, are parents of Daughter, born in September
2003, and J.T. (Son), born in April 2002 (collectively, Children). Mother and
Father had been sharing physical and legal custody of Children pursuant to a
May 2, 2012 order of court. Mother and Father each exercised physical
custody as set forth in paragraph 6 of the custody order.
(c) Commencing Monday, May 7[, 2012,] and every other
week thereafter, Mother shall have custody of [Children] on
*Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday overnights.
Father shall have custody on Wednesday and Thursday
overnights.
(d) Commencing Monday, May 14[, 2012,] and every other
week thereafter, Father shall have custody of [Children] on
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday overnights.
Mother shall have custody on Wednesday and Thursday
overnights.
Custody Order, 5/2/2012, at 2. The order also contained a schedule for
physical custody arrangements for the ensuing summers beginning in 2013.
The order entitled Mother and Father to two, “non-consecutive weeks of
vacation with [C]hildren” and, “if the parties can agree, they can each have
an additional week of vacation in the summer either consecutive or non-
consecutive.” Id. at 4.
In October 2014, Mother filed a petition seeking primary physical
custody subject to partial custody visitation and sole legal custody of
Children on the basis that Father’s mental and physical condition had
deteriorated. The parties resolved the custody dispute during a custody
conference. Accordingly, Mother withdrew her petition for modification of
custody.
In July 2015, Mother filed an emergency petition seeking sole physical
and legal custody of Children. Mother claimed Father was behaving in an
abusive manner towards Children, such that it required immediate
intervention to keep Children from harm. In response, Father filed a petition
for custody evaluation. A hearing was held in August 2015, at which the
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trial court determined Mother’s petition was not an emergency. Thus, the
trial court directed the parties, if they desired, to request a custody
conciliation conference. A conference was scheduled for February 19, 2016,
but four days prior, Mother agreed to withdraw her July 2015 petition.
The parties did not seek court intervention regarding custody for the
next three years, until Mother and Father filed a series of petitions relevant
to this appeal. On June 24, 2019, Mother filed an emergency petition
alleging contempt of the May 2, 2012 custody order. Mother averred that
Father violated the order by failing to follow the weekday and weekend
physical custody schedule and the summer vacation terms. On July 26,
2019, Father filed an emergency counterclaim, alleging contempt of the
same order on the same grounds. On August 5, 2019, Mother filed a
petition to modify custody. In the petition, she requested primary physical
and sole legal custody, averring simply that she believed it to be in
Children’s best interest. Petition for Modification of Custody Order,
8/5/2019, at ¶ 5.
The trial court conducted hearings on the three petitions on December
2-3, 2019, and February 20-21, 2020. At the hearings, the parties,
Children, and other witnesses testified.
On June 12, 2020, the trial court issued an order ruling upon Mother
and Father’s petitions for contempt and Mother’s petition for modification of
custody (June 2020 Order). Without elaboration, the trial court found Father
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in contempt of the May 2, 2012 custody order, but denied Father’s
counterclaim requesting that Mother be held in contempt. Id. at 4.
However, the trial court imposed no penalties upon Father. Id. In the June
2020 Order, the trial court analyzed the 16 custody factors set forth at 23
Pa.C.S. § 5328(a), and concluded that it was in Daughter’s best interest for
Mother to have primary physical custody. June 2020 Order, 6/12/2020, at
2-5. It ordered Mother and Father to share legal custody. Id. at 5. The
trial court declined to order custody of Son because Son had reached the
age of 18 prior to the issuance of the June 2020 Order. Id. at 4-5.
Regarding physical custody of Daughter, the trial court specified that
Father had custody on Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and every
other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including overnights, beginning at 5:00
p.m. or after school on Friday until Monday at 9:00 a.m. or when school
began. Id. at 5. An alternating holiday schedule was specified in detail.
Id. at 6. Each parent was allotted two non-consecutive weeks of vacation
per year with Daughter and was required to notify the other parent of the
plans and itinerary at least 30 days in advance. Id. at 7. Each parent
needed to ensure that Daughter attended all activities and events during the
parent’s respective custody periods. Id.
The order also contained an assortment of other provisions. Each
party was prohibited from disparaging the other party in the presence of
Daughter. Id. at 8. Specific to Father, Father was required to comply
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promptly with all financial aid documentation for Daughter’s college
applications. Id. Further, he was prohibited from discussing the alleged
rape of Children to Children or to a third party who may come in contact
with them.1 Id. The order also prohibited Father from recording any
conversations he had with Children. Id. Father was obligated to begin
counseling immediately to last for at least six months or as long as
determined necessary by his psychiatrist or counselor. Inclusion of Children
in Father’s therapy was left at the discretion of Father’s therapist, and if
inclusion occurred, it was to be paid for by Father. Id. The purpose of the
counseling was for Father to address his prior conversations with Children
regarding their alleged rapes, his audio recording of conversations with
Children, and his ability to connect emotionally with Children. Id. The trial
court did not order Children or Mother to attend individual
psychological/psychiatric therapy, but if Daughter decided to attend, the
court required Mother to pay for any of Daughter’s out-of-pocket costs that
were not covered by Mother’s medical insurance. Id.
Father timely filed a motion seeking post-trial relief and
reconsideration of the June 2020 Order. In the portion of the motion
seeking post-trial relief, Father alleged that the trial court erred in holding
him in contempt because Mother’s contempt motion had been withdrawn
1
Father alleges both Children were raped by a friend of Children. Son
acknowledged he was raped, but Daughter denied that she was raped.
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and the order did not specify which provision of the May 2, 2012 custody
order he had violated. Father’s motion also asked the court to reconsider
whether the June 2020 Order and any provisions therein should address
Son, given the court’s finding that Son was emancipated. Further, he
alleged the June 2020 Order was invalid because it mistakenly stated that
Mother’s August 5, 2019 petition to modify the May 2, 2012 custody order
was denied.
On July 10, 2020, the trial court issued an order denying Father’s
requested post-trial relief and granting in part and denying in part Father’s
motion for reconsideration. Specifically, the trial court agreed with Father
that it erred by including Son in the June 2020 Order and amended the June
2020 Order by changing references to Children to Daughter only.
Furthermore, instead of granting Father’s request to invalidate the June
2020 Order due to its error regarding Mother’s August 5, 2019 petition to
modify, the trial court further amended the June 2020 Order by clarifying
that Mother had primary physical custody and the parties shared legal
custody of Daughter. Father timely filed a notice of appeal.2 Both Father
and the trial court complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
2 While Father’s motion for post-trial relief and reconsideration of the June
2020 Order was pending, Father filed a notice of appeal on July 8, 2020.
The appeal was docketed in this Court at 1355 EDA 2020. Because the trial
court granted reconsideration of the June 2020 Order within 30 days of that
order, rendering the July 8, 2020 notice of appeal inoperative pursuant to
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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Father raises eight issues on appeal, which we have reordered for ease
of disposition. Specifically, Father asks this Court to decide whether the trial
court erred and abused its discretion in: 1) modifying an order of equal
custody to grant Mother primary custody; 2) finding there was no evidence
regarding the extended family of Father; 3) requiring that only Father
undergo counseling; 4) not appointing a reunification therapist for Father
and Son; 5) holding Father in contempt without stating a reason; 6) not
holding Mother in contempt; 7) not allowing Father to call a witness; and 8)
limiting Father’s freedom of speech in violation of the First and Fourteenth
Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 7 of the
Pennsylvania Constitution. Father’s Brief at 16.
We consider Father’s claims mindful of our well-settled standard of
review.
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.
(Footnote Continued) _______________________
Pa.R.A.P. 1701(3)(b)(ii), this Court sua sponte quashed Father’s appeal at
1355 EDA 2020.
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With any child custody case, the paramount concern is the
best interests of the child. 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.
M.J.M. v. M.L.G., 63 A.3d 331, 334 (Pa. Super. 2013) (quoting J.R.M. v.
J.E.A., 33 A.3d 647, 650 (Pa. Super. 2011) (citation omitted)).
Father’s first issue queries whether the trial court erred or abused its
discretion by modifying the parties’ shared physical custody arrangement to
award primary custody to Mother. Father’s Brief at 21. Father is nonspecific
as to how the trial court abused its discretion in modifying their custody
arrangement, but the essence of his argument centers on his contention that
Mother intentionally caused hostility between Father and Children and
therefore the trial court should not have changed the parties’ arrangement
to grant Mother more custody time with Children. Id. at 21-23.
“Upon petition, a court may modify a custody order to serve the best
interest of the child.” 23 Pa.C.S. § 5338(a). Before making an award of
custody, the Child Custody Act requires trial courts to consider all 16 factors
set forth at 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a) to the extent the factors are relevant.
A.V. v. S.T., 87 A.3d 818, 823 (Pa. Super. 2014). “It is within the trial
court’s purview as the finder of fact to determine which factors are most
salient and critical in each particular case.” M.J.M., 63 A.3d at 339.
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One of the factors a trial court must consider when making any award
of custody is “[t]he well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the
child’s maturity and judgment.” 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a)(7).
The weight to be accorded a child’s preference varies with the
age, maturity and intelligence of that child, together with the
reasons given for the preference. Moreover, as children grow
older, more weight must be given to the preference of the child.
As this Court has recently reaffirmed, where the households of
both parents were equally suitable, a child’s preference to live
with one parent could not but tip the evidentiary scale in favor of
that parent.
B.C.S. v. J.A.S., 994 A.2d 600, 604 (Pa. Super. 2010).
This Court has espoused “that an older teenage child is like an
elephant – she sleeps wherever she wants.” E.B. V. D.B., 209 A.3d 451,
468 (Pa. Super. 2019). To clarify, “[w]hile the ‘Elephant Rule’ is not
incontrovertible, such as if a teenager’s safety were at risk, or if the other
factors strongly demonstrated that a teenager’s preference was against her
best interest, courts have to recognize the limitations of their power in
determining where older teenagers must reside.” Id.In its Rule 1925(a) opinion, the trial court noted that it had conducted
a full analysis of all 16 factors of subsection 5328(a) in the June 2020 Order.
Trial Court Opinion (TCO), 9/2/2020, at 8. The trial court emphasized that it
“meticulously reviewed the evidence” and engaged in a “thorough, detailed,
non-biased, and balanced” analysis. Id. Ultimately, the trial court
determined that shared physical custody “was neither practicable nor
reasonable” and “was not in the best interest of [Daughter].” Id. at 8-9.
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In the June 2020 Order, the trial court’s analysis of the 16 factors
reveals that many of the factors were neutral as to Mother and Father.
Findings notable to Mother included its finding that Mother encourages
Children to see Father even though Son has told her he doesn’t want to;
both parties accuse the other of turning Children against the other parent,
and each parent denies engaging in such behavior; and conflict between
Mother and Father is high. The court found, based on Mother’s testimony,
that she helps Daughter with anxiety and is actively involved in Daughter’s
education by assisting her with schoolwork, speaking with her teachers, and
arranging tutoring. Overall, the court emphasized Children’s independence
due to their age. Daughter is almost 18 years old. Significantly, the court
noted that Daughter testified she would like to live with Mother and see
Father less often. June 2020 Order, 6/12/2020, at 2. Daughter’s proposed
schedule was to see Father “every other weekend, or, … every other
weekend with … a day during the week.” N.T., 2/21/2020, at 17. Indeed,
the June 2020 Order relied on Daughter’s preference and provided this exact
arrangement as to physical custody.
Under an abuse of discretion standard, we cannot conclude that the
trial court’s decision to award primary custody to Mother was manifestly
unreasonable. The trial court engaged in a thorough analysis of subsection
5328(a). Further, it properly gave more weight to and abided by Daughter’s
preference, as her safety was not at risk and no other factor strongly
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demonstrated that her preference was against her best interest. See E.B.,
209 A.3d at 468. Thus, Appellant’s first claim is without merit.
Father’s second complaint also implicates the trial court’s custody
order. Father claims that the trial court erred when it found, pursuant to
factor five, there was no evidence regarding his extended family. Father’s
Brief at 28; see also 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a)(5) (requiring the court to
consider the availability of extended family). Father states “the record is
replete with the identification of [his] extended family,” citing that Erika
Bower, a children and youth minister at Father’s church, was “stipulated to
be part of the extended family.” Id. He goes on to cite several witnesses
who testified to their relationship with Children.
Here, the trial court offered the following response to this issue:
[T]he court stated that no testimony was provided to the court
regarding the extended family of either party. The court did not
err in making this statement. At the hearing, Mother testified
that she did not have any extended family. Rather, according to
Mother, her extended family consisted of “friends” and “sorority
sisters.” Additionally, Mother testified that Father only speaks to
one of his sisters. Father did not elaborate during his direct
examination regarding the nature of his extended family or their
involvement with [Daughter]. Therefore, there is no merit to
this issue ... and it should be dismissed.
TCO at 10-11 (citation to the record omitted).
We agree with the trial court. First, Father’s assertion that the parties
stipulated that Bower was part of Father’s extended family is erroneous.
The only pertinent stipulation was that Bower had witnessed a positive
relationship between Father and Children during their interactions at church
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activities and services. N.T., 12/3/2019, at 208. Second, the other
witnesses Father points to as his extended family lack any familial relation.
The record is devoid of evidence and testimony regarding the extended
family of Father. Thus, Father’s second claim is without merit.
Father next objects to the trial court’s decisions to require only Father
to attend counseling, and to not appoint a reunification therapist for Father
and Son. Father’s Brief at 24, 28. Father argues the entire family should be
required to undergo counseling because he and Mother were in favor of
Children’s attending counseling and Mother testified that the family was
dysfunctional. Id.
“The court may, as part of a custody order, require the parties to
attend counseling sessions.” 23 Pa.C.S. § 5333. Instantly, the trial court
ordered individual counseling for Father, but left it within his therapist’s
discretion as to whether Children should be included. June 2020 Order,
6/12/2020, at 8. In this regard, the trial court stated, “Therapy might be
needed for everybody[;] I don’t know. I can’t make those determinations. I
don’t have that kind of background.” N.T., 2/21/2020, at 124. The trial
court explicitly outlined in the June 2020 Order the issues for Father to
address in his counseling. There is ample evidence to support why Father
needed counseling. It was within the court’s discretion not to order
counseling for Mother and Children, but to leave the option available. Thus,
we do not discern an abuse of discretion. No relief is due.
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As to Father’s contention that the trial court erred in failing to appoint
a reunification therapist for him and Son, the issue is moot because Son
turned 18 prior to the entry of the June 2020 Order and no longer is a
“child” under the Custody Act. See M.B.S. v. W.E., 232 A.3d 922, 928 (Pa.
Super. 2020) (explaining that because the Custody Act defines a “child” as
“[a]n unemancipated individual under 18 years of age,” custody of son was
moot because the trial court lost subject matter jurisdiction over parties’ son
upon his 18th birthday, notwithstanding son’s educational status) (quoting
23 Pa.C.S. § 5322). Thus, the trial court has no jurisdiction to appoint a
reunification therapist. Any relationship or lack thereof that Son would like
to have with Father is entirely up to Father and Son. If Son would like to
attend counseling or therapy individually or with Father, he may do so on his
own accord.
Father’s fifth issue asks us to decide whether the trial court erred or
abused its discretion in holding him in contempt of the May 2, 2012 custody
order. Father’s Brief at 26. In both his post-trial motion and Pa.R.A.P.
1925(b) statement, Father claimed that the trial court erred by holding him
in contempt because Mother’s contempt motion was withdrawn and the June
2020 Order did not specify which provision of the May 2, 2012 custody order
was violated.
We review custody contempt orders for an abuse of discretion. K.M.G.
v. H.M.W., 171 A.3d 839, 844-45 (Pa. Super. 2017). A trial court abuses
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its discretion in entering a custody contempt order if it misapplies the law,
exercises its discretion in a manner lacking reason, or does not follow legal
procedure. Id.The Child Custody Act permits the trial court to adjudge in contempt
any party who willfully fails to comply with a custody order. 23 Pa.C.S.
§ 5323(g). The trial court may issue various sanctions up to and including
imprisonment for not more than six months. Id.
When a trial court adjudges someone in contempt of a custody order,
five procedural elements are recommended to ensure due process: “(1) a
rule to show cause why attachment should issue; (2) an answer and
hearing; (3) a rule absolute; (4) a hearing on the contempt citation; and (5)
an adjudication.” Harcar v. Harcar, 982 A.2d 1230, 1234-35 (Pa. Super.
2009). However, all five factors are not mandatory. Id. The “essential due
process requisites for a finding of civil contempt are notice and an
opportunity to be heard.” Id.First, we address Father’s claim that Mother withdrew her contempt
petition at trial. Addressing this claim, the trial court stated that “a present
review of the notes of testimony from the above hearings indicate that at no
point in time before, during or after the hearings did Mother or counsel for
Mother state that Mother was withdrawing Mother’s June 24, 2019 [p]etition
for [c]ivil [c]ontempt[.]” TCO at 21. We agree. After a review of the
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record, there is no evidence that suggests or indicates Mother withdrew her
petition.
Second, Father argues the trial court erred or abused its discretion
because the June 2020 Order did not specify which provision of the May 2,
2012 custody order was violated. Father’s Brief at 26. In its June 2020
Order, the trial court granted Mother’s petition and found Father in contempt
of the May 2, 2012 custody order, but imposed no sanctions and did not
elaborate upon its ruling. June 2020 Order, 6/12/2020, at 4. In its Rule
1925(a) opinion, the trial court explained it “found Father in contempt for
violating the physical custody and vacation/holiday provisions of the May 2,
2012 Custody Stipulation as outlined by Mother in her June 24, 2019
[e]mergency [p]etition for [c]ontempt and from testimony.” TCO at 21.
Mother’s petition placed Father on notice of his alleged violations. The
trial court then conducted a hearing on the petition, inter alia, and provided
Father with an opportunity to be heard. Further, in the trial court’s opinion,
it clarified that it found Father in contempt based upon his failure to comply
with the physical custody and vacation provisions of the May 2, 2012
custody order. Because the trial court complied with the essentials of due
process, we discern no abuse of discretion.3
3 Father puts forth two additional arguments in his brief for the first time on
appeal: that “[t]here [was] no testimony that [F]ather violated the physical
custody or vacations/holiday provisions[,]” and the trial court erred because
it did not impose punishment or any way of purging the alleged contempt.
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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Father’s interrelated issue asks us to decide whether the trial court
erred or abused its discretion in failing to hold Mother in contempt for her
noncompliance with the custody order. Father’s Brief at 26-27. In response
to this issue, the trial court states that it “heard no evidence or testimony to
warrant the court finding Mother in contempt[.]” TCO at 21.
In its June 2020 Order, the trial court denied Father’s July 26, 2019
emergency counterclaim without elaboration. June 2020 Order, 6/12/2020,
at 4. Father’s July 26, 2019 emergency counterclaim alleged violations by
Mother of the weekday and weekend physical custody schedule and the
vacation terms of the May 2, 2012 custody order. On appeal, Father
abandons this claim that Mother violated the physical custody schedule and
vacation terms of the May 2, 2012 custody order, and instead presents new
allegations involving the non-disparagement clause of the May 2, 2012
custody order.4 Specifically, Father argues that
(Footnote Continued) _______________________
Father’s Brief at 26-27. These additional arguments are waived because
they are raised for the first time on appeal, and because Father’s Pa.R.A.P.
1925(b) statement was too vague for the trial court to identify and address
these issues. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a) (“Issues not raised in the trial court are
waived and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.”); see also
Commonwealth v. Dowling, 778 A.2d 683, 686 (Pa. Super. 2001)
(holding that Dowling’s Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement was not sufficiently
specific for the trial court to identify and address the issue to be raised on
appeal, and thus, issue was waived).
4The non-disparagement provision is set forth in paragraph 19 of the May 2,
2012 custody order and reads as follows:
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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[Mother] never encouraged [Son] to see his Father. She
called [the] police when Children were with [F]ather attempting
to have them return to her. She told Daughter to keep a secret
from [] Father. She falsely reported to [Daughter] that [Father]
would not permit two dance classes back-to-back[,] causing
alienation between Father and Daughter.
Father’s Brief at 27 (citations to the record omitted; names capitalized).
Father’s arguments regarding the non-disparagement clause are waived
because he did not present these arguments to the trial court in the first
instance. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a).
Next, we consider Father’s claim that the trial court erred or abused its
discretion in not allowing Father to call his sister as a witness. Father’s Brief
at 27. In one paragraph, Father summarily argues that the trial court erred
or abused its discretion because the trial court should hear from “every
meaningful witness who has contact with the [C]hildren.” Id.By way of background, in the middle of his cross-examination of
Mother at the December 3, 2019 hearing, Father requested that he call his
sister to testify out of turn. Father’s counsel “request[ed] the indulgence of
(Footnote Continued) _______________________
The parties specifically agree that neither shall do or say
anything which might cause estrangement between [C]hildren
and the other parent, injure the opinion of the [C]hildren as to
the other parent, or hamper the free and natural development of
love and respect by the [C]hildren for the other parent. The
parties also affirmatively agree that they shall not berate,
criticize, or insult each other within hearing of the [C]hildren.
The parties acknowledge that failure to comply with this
provision is behavior not in the best interest and welfare of the
[C]hildren.
Custody Order, 5/2/2012, at 6.
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the [trial court] of interrupting the testimony of cross-examination to call the
sister of [Father], who is a physician, who needs to be back at her medical
practice, in New Jersey, by late morning to see patients.” N.T., 12/3/2019,
at 52. Father’s sister was to testify to the “excellent” relationship between
Father and Children. Id. at 53. Opposing counsel “strongly object[ed]” due
to the “many interruptions by [F]ather since the inception of this trial trying
to dismiss the case, late discovery requests. No one gave us notice that she
would be here, that she had a time frame.” Id. In response, the trial court
stated, “I think we’ll finish. I would like to finish cross with this witness
first.” Id. The cross-examination of Mother resumed, and Father’s sister
did not testify later in the trial.
“The conduct of trial and order of witnesses certainly is within the trial
court’s discretion.” Bunting v. Sun Co., Inc., 643 A.2d 1085, 1089 n.5
(Pa. Super. 1994) (citing Pa.R.C.P. 223). “A trial judge has broad powers
concerning the conduct of a trial and particularly with regard to the
admission or exclusion of evidence.” White v. White, 650 A.2d 110, 112
(Pa. Super. 1994) (citation omitted). “In reviewing a trial court’s decision to
admit or exclude proffered testimony, this Court will reverse only if there
has been an abuse of discretion or an error of law.” Id.Here, the trial court denied Father’s request to call his witness out of
turn in order to maintain the flow of the hearing. This determination was
within the trial court’s discretion, and we discern no abuse of discretion.
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Further, there was ample evidence by the parties, Children, and other
witnesses concerning the relationships of the parties. Father was not
unfairly prejudiced by the trial court’s determination. Thus, this claim fails.
Finally, Father contends that the June 2020 Order violates his free
speech rights contained in the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the
United States Constitution and Article I, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania
Constitution. Father’s Brief at 25. By way of background, the order
prohibits Father from discussing the rape of Son and alleged rape of
Daughter “in the presence of [Daughter] or with any third parties who may
come into contact with [Daughter].” June 2020 Order, 6/12/2020, at 12.
Father claims his speech on the incident is necessary because “putting a gag
in [Father’s] mouth detracts from his ability to counsel and guide [Children]
in any future litigation which might result from the rape.”5 Father’s Brief at
25.
As Father challenges the provision in the June 2020 Order on the
ground that it violates the right to free speech as guaranteed by the federal
and state constitutions, his claim involves a pure question of law for which
our scope of review is plenary and our standard of review is de novo. S.B.
v. S.S., 243 A.3d 90, 104 (Pa. 2020) (citation omitted). The United States
Supreme Court has stated that “in cases raising First Amendment issues ...
5
Although Father’s argument addresses the prohibition as to Son and
Daughter, we only address his argument as to Daughter because the issue is
moot as to Son, based upon Son’s no longer meeting the definition of child.
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an appellate court has an obligation to make an independent examination of
the whole record in order to make sure that the judgment does not
constitute a forbidden intrusion on the field of free expression.” See
Gentile v. State Bar of Nevada, 501 U.S. 1030 (1991) (internal quotation
marks and citations omitted).
In addition to implicating the important value of free exercise of
speech, because Father claims the restriction in the June 2020 Order
impacts his ability to “counsel and guide [Daughter]”, Father’s Brief at 25,
he also implicates another highly important value: the fundamental right of
parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their
children, as protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment. See Shepp v. Shepp, 906 A.2d 1165, 1173 (Pa. 2006).
The First Amendment prohibits Congress from “abridging the freedom
of speech.” U.S. Const. amend. I. The First Amendment’s protection “is
made applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.” S.B. v.
S.S., 243 A.3d at 104 (citation omitted); see also U.S. Const. amend. XIV.
Although one’s constitutional right to free speech is fundamental, it is not
absolute. Nebraska Press Ass’n v. Stuart, 427 U.S. 539, 570 (1976).
Nonetheless, only those interests of the highest order and those not
otherwise served can overbalance legitimate claims to a free exercise right.
See Shepp, 906 A.2d at 1169 (discussing court-imposed restrictions on the
free exercise of religion). When the free exercise clause is implicated in
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conjunction with other constitutional protections, such as the freedom of
speech and the right of parents with respect to the upbringing of their
children, “a hybrid situation” is presented, which is subject to strict scrutiny.
Id. at 1172 (citing Employment Div. Dep’t of Human Res. of Oregon v.
Smith, 494 U.S. 872, 881 n.1, 882 (1990) (reaffirming a higher level of
scrutiny for cases involving a free exercise claim made in conjunction with
other constitutional protections, such as the right of a parent to direct the
upbringing and education of his child)). The instant matter, combining a
free exercise of speech claim with the fundamental right of parents to raise
their children, is a “hybrid case.” Shepp, 906 A.2d at 1172. Thus, we will
apply strict scrutiny.
“Applying strict scrutiny, ‘[t]he [g]overnment may ... regulate the
content of constitutionally protected speech in order to promote a compelling
interest if it chooses the least restrictive means to further the articulated
interest.’” Id. (quoting Sable Communications of Cal v. FCC, 492 U.S.
115, 126 (1989)). It is well-settled that protecting a minor’s well-being
from psychological and physical harm serves a compelling state interest. Id.(citing Sable Communications of Cal, 492 U.S. at 126). Thus, “[t]he
power of the parent, even when linked to a free exercise claim, may be
subject to limitation ... if it appears that parental decisions will jeopardize
the health or safety of the child, or have a potential for significant social
burdens.” Id. at 1173 (citing Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972)
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(holding that a court may prohibit a parent from advocating religious beliefs,
which, if acted, upon, would constitute a crime, but only if it is established
that doing so would jeopardize the physical or mental health or safety of the
child)). “The state’s compelling interest to protect a child in any given case,
however, is not triggered unless a court finds that a parent’s speech is
causing or will cause harm to a child’s welfare.” Id.At the hearing, Daughter testified that Father “was telling people that
my brother and I were raped, while my brother was and I wasn’t. And that
made me uncomfortable.” N.T., 2/21/2020, at 25. Daughter testified, “I
said, hey, I wasn’t raped. He yelled at me and said, yes, I was, as if he
knew. But I’m my own person. I think I would’ve remembered that.” Id.
at 26. Daughter found it hypocritical that Father would not allow his medical
condition to be discussed, but would tell “his friends or maybe my friends’
parents that I was [raped] and my brother was [raped].” Id. at 27. Son
testified that a reason he stopped seeing Father was that Father “would
bring up a lot of instances that I didn’t want to bring up to a lot of people
around me.” Id. at 18. To expand, Son testified that on “a weekly basis[,]”
Father would “bring up[] explicit details from[] a rape trial[,]” question Son’s
decision-making because he was raped, and “let [him]self fall prey to those
sorts of things.” Id. at 18-19. Son stated he did not want “to hear on a
weekly basis about those things.” Id. at 19. Son is “afraid of what [Father]
tells other people,” “the way he reacts in certain situations,” and afraid when
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“he screams in [Daughter’s] face that she’s been raped, and my sister says
no, and he just keeps screaming at her, yes, you were.” Id. at 32. When
Son was asked if he can confide in Father, he stated that he can “[a]s long
as [he] is not too sensitive[,]” and provided the example of when he told
Father details of his rape trial, Father “didn’t take it well” and has “been
using it against me ever since to make me upset.” Id. at 53.
The trial court concluded that an order prohibiting Father from
speaking to Daughter or third parties on this matter was necessary to
protect Daughter’s physical and emotional well-being. TCO at 22. The trial
court determined this measure was in the best interest of Daughter, as she
did not need to be reminded “constantly” of Son’s rape and Father’s
contention that Daughter was raped.6 Id.
6 On appeal, Father relies on a Massachusetts case, Shak v. Shak, 144
N.E.3d 274 (Mass. 2020), to support his argument that the trial court erred
in reaching this conclusion. Father’s Brief at 26. Although we recognize that
we may use cases from federal courts other than the United States Supreme
Court, and the decisions of other states’ courts, as guidance to the degree
we find them useful and not incompatible with Pennsylvania law, we are not
bound by those cases. Eckman v. Erie Ins. Exchange, 21 A.3d 1203,
1207 (Pa. Super. 2011). Further, the instant case is distinguishable from
Shak, which determined the narrow issue of whether a non-disparagement
clause violated free speech rights. It held that Massachusetts’s interest in
protecting children from being exposed to disparaging statements between
parents did not satisfy the burden of justifying a restraint on free speech.
Shak, 144 N.E.3d at 279. Nonetheless, the Shak court made note that
assuming arguendo the state’s interest in protecting children from such
harm that may result from hearing a disparaging statement, the harm did
not exist in the case. The Shak court concluded, “Because there has been
no showing that any harm from the disparaging speech is either grave or
certain, our analysis regarding the permissibility of the non[-]disparagement
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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Based on this evidence, we find the state’s compelling interest to
protect Daughter in this case was triggered, as it appears Father’s speech is
causing or will cause harm to Daughter’s welfare. See Shepp, 906 A.2d at
1173.
Thus, we must determine whether the trial court’s prohibition is the
least restrictive means to further the articulated interest. We first note that
we reject Father’s contention that he must have the ability to discuss the
event to counsel and guide Daughter, as Daughter maintains she has never
been raped and no criminal charges are pending. Furthermore, based on
Daughter’s testimony, it is apparent Father is using the alleged rape of
Daughter to undermine her decision-making rather than to counsel and
guide her.
The impetus for the prohibition in the June 2020 Order was based on
Daughter’s wish for Father to cease discussing the rape of Son and alleged
rape of Daughter with her and other individuals outside of the family.
Daughter’s request to not have this information disclosed to individuals who
may come in contact with her is of paramount importance. To the extent
(Footnote Continued) _______________________
order issued in this case ends here.” Id. at 280. Thus, the Shak court left
open the possibility that there is such language that is so emotionally and
psychologically harmful that it would justify a restraint on speech.
In the case sub judice, it is difficult to think of language that would be
more harmful than being repeatedly told by your parent that you were
raped. The emotional and psychological harm that would result from such
behavior is distinguishable from the warring words that exist in households
across the world every day. Thus, Shak is unpersuasive and inapplicable.
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Daughter was a victim of sexual abuse as Father contends, a victim of
sexual abuse must be afforded privacy to manage their well-being and work
through negative emotions due to the incident on their own accord. The
sensitive nature of the information disclosed by Father to individuals outside
of the family is troubling, particularly because Father discloses the
information in situations where there is no need for the person to know
about Son’s rape or Father’s allegations of Daughter’s rape. Father
unjustifiably breaches Daughter’s privacy and makes Daughter
uncomfortable when Father discusses with others Son’s rape and Father’s
allegations that Daughter was raped. Father undermines Daughter’s
judgment and makes her doubt her own experiences when he repeatedly
discusses his allegations with her and others. Accordingly, the speech
restriction in the June 2020 Order is the least restrictive means to provide
Daughter necessary privacy and support her physical and emotional needs.
Therefore, based on our independent review of the record, we
conclude the speech restriction is justified by the government’s compelling
interest of protecting the psychological and emotional well-being of
Daughter, is the least restrictive means to further the articulated interest,
and does not violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United
States Constitution or Article I, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Thus, we uphold the constitutionality of the speech restriction.
Order affirmed.
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*Judge Strassburger did not participate in the consideration or
decision of this case.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 4/5/21
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