Custody Document: "To Determine Paternity & Parental Relief"

[ym523]

*snipped & bolded by me*

I was also :waitasec: at those figures.

Well in CA they can take up to half your income, then the courts use a system to put the two incomes together, minus the time each paternal parent spends with the child. She was actually paying about 150 for each child, which I think is very fair if she is not making any efforts to see them.

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

I agree. I don't understand how a mom can fail to make an effort to see her children.

But I'm not sure I believe she is behind this disappearance. Why would she abduct a child she previously makes no effort to see. Wouldn't it be easier to just terminate your parental rights than abduct a child you don't want, to avoid paying child support?

I don't think terminating parental rights terminates child support. Unless, the two parents agreed to those conditions.

 

[CA Mom]

Where was child protective services during the lives of these children! A social worker should have been involved early on with soooo many allegations of drug use, violence and criminal activity on nearly ALL family members on both sides.

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

It would of been the same if the mother got the children. No wait it would of been more. I dont see the point in pointing out the child support amount. What the children weren't worth that amount?

I had a girlfriend who teaches school and had to pay $1000 a month to her rich ex husband for their one 14 yr old son. until he was 18.

 

[samsmom02]

That is just not true...you are still not understanding the difference between the petition that was filed by Ron in September and served on Crystal personally in October...and the notice of the December hearing that took place where the judge decided everything. The hearing notice was MAILED to both parties. Says so right there in the documents. Since Crystal failed to appear, the judge decided in Ron's favor. That's the way these things go here in Florida. He filed first...she was served the petition ONLY...her address was not correct on his petition...she didn't receive notice of the hearing...and where the heck was her attorney? He should have received the notice of hearing...but the papers say both parties were mailed the notice. He got his side presented to the judge...she didn't even get notice of the hearing.

I can't see why so many seem to see Ron as the good guy...I don't see anything of the kind. I see a drug user, domestic abuser, with a violent temper, who knows how to work the system, and he has a Mother who works with law enforcement who may have guided him on how to do it. The judge thought the grandmother, who worked for the Alachua county sheriff's office, would be helping to care for the children. Ron said he was going to put them in daycare. Instead, they end up cared for by his teen age mistress and Haleigh ends up missing.

#19 in the request for a rehearing really made my hair stand on end.

<snipped from document>

19. If this matter and the underlying and undisclosed issues are not addressed now, then it is only a matter of time before additions significant incidents
occur that will demand the Court's attention and the re-hash of what is more properly addressed now.

Look what's happened while they were in his custody.

OK, with much respect, do we agree that Crystal received the court papers for the Dec. 5th court hearing?

 

[TopGunner]

Let's tone things down a bit and keep this thread open, shall we?

If you are posting your opinion, say so.

 

[ym523]

Where was child protective services during the lives of these children! A social worker should have been involved early on with soooo many allegations of drug use, violence and criminal activity on nearly ALL family members on both sides.

Child services doesn't usually get involved unless the parents are caught with the drugs and the children or the children are harmed because of drug use. If they got involved anytime parents felt the need to mudsling, they would spend a lot of time wasted.

 

[ym523]

OK, with much respect, do we agree that Crystal received the court papers for the Dec. 5th court hearing?

My opinion, I really feel that regardless of whether she received the second set of documents, she received the first ones and responded. She knew there would be a court date, and if it was me I would have been calling the courthouse EVERYDAY asking questions regarding my case and court date. Those were her children, and if she really wanted them she could have found a way. I am sure most of us know the will and determination a mother can have. She had a new boyfriend, why didn't she have him escort her to the court hearings? There is security at the courthouses, she could have asked for an escort from the hearings. She could have taken a group of people with her for support.

I have been through a similar situation, without a lawyer, and it doesn't matter as long as you show the priority is your child. My ex-significant other was a drug user/seller/physically abusive/threatened to harm me and the courts did not terminate his visits because there was no proof, but I did anything I could, asked questions, etc and obtained the ability to move her out of state. I truly believe that she did not obtain custody because of her lack of effort, most judges side with the mother and had she shown proof she was rehabilitated, was making effort to be there then she would have received at least 50% custody (which is now standard custody rulings).

 

[Sissy1355]

IIRC DCF was involved in this case, sometime prior to the kidnapping. I am almost postitve that the parents would have been required to take a drug test b/c of the allagations from Crystal. In fact, Ron DID take a drug test and passed.

For those that think you can clean your system, a friend of mine tried it (he smoked a lil pot at a party and regretted it afterwards) for a job interview. DID NOT WORK. I think LE has caught on to the fact ppl use these methods and have adjusted the tests accordingly.

Now if any of you have seen the pics from Crystal's myspace, to me it is OBVIOUS who does drugs in the family.

 

[princessmean1]

That is just not true...you are still not understanding the difference between the petition that was filed by Ron in September and served on Crystal personally in October...and the notice of the December hearing that took place where the judge decided everything. The hearing notice was MAILED to both parties. Says so right there in the documents. Since Crystal failed to appear, the judge decided in Ron's favor. That's the way these things go here in Florida. He filed first...she was served the petition ONLY...her address was not correct on his petition...she didn't receive notice of the hearing...and where the heck was her attorney? He should have received the notice of hearing...but the papers say both parties were mailed the notice. He got his side presented to the judge...she didn't even get notice of the hearing.

I can't see why so many seem to see Ron as the good guy...I don't see anything of the kind. I see a drug user, domestic abuser, with a violent temper, who knows how to work the system, and he has a Mother who works with law enforcement who may have guided him on how to do it. The judge thought the grandmother, who worked for the Alachua county sheriff's office, would be helping to care for the children. Ron said he was going to put them in daycare. Instead, they end up cared for by his teen age mistress and Haleigh ends up missing.
#19 in the request for a rehearing really made my hair stand on end.

<snipped from document>

19. If this matter and the underlying and undisclosed issues are not addressed now, then it is only a matter of time before additions significant incidents
occur that will demand the Court's attention and the re-hash of what is more properly addressed now.

Look what's happened while they were in his custody.

I agree with the part I highlighted (in purple), Ron's mama works for the Alachua Co Sheriff's office and of course she would have some insight on what to do. His mom helped him pull a fast one on Crystal, IMO.

 

[Sissy1355]

OMG!!! I really don't understand how people think Ron was a bad parent b/c Haleigh was taken while she was in his custody. Polly K, Elizabeth S, Jessica L, and many other kids were taken from thier own homes with parents present. I know he has a record for drugs, but it was a while ago and obviously not important to the custody case b/c HE was granted custody, not shared but full.

If Crystal was really concerned with Ron's drug use and dealings she could have filed for a hearing again with the court and they would at least hear her. The fact that she didn't tells me there was nothing to the aligations in the first place.

My sister was also a DV victim for a couple of yrs b4 she got the sense to leave him. She fought like he** to make sure that he would never be alone with the kids where something like that could happen to them. ANY parent who has been abused would give thier right arm and leg to keep the kids from going through the same thing. Crystal didn't seem to eager to go back to court to get these kids out of the "unsafe, abusive" environment.

 

[CA Mom]

Child services doesn't usually get involved unless the parents are caught with the drugs and the children or the children are harmed because of drug use. If they got involved anytime parents felt the need to mudsling, they would spend a lot of time wasted.

ym523...during the custody hearing that crystal didnt attend, I would think that the judge would request a drug test from bio dad and home inspection as part of custody granted. After all, the judge should have read the numerous allegations and SHOULD have had some concern with placing these children in his custody. I'm sad that the judge did not take an interest in the lives of these kids and placed their well being with what he must have thought was the better of 2 irresponsible parents.

 

[Busylady]

The Judge did have DCF file which included home study and urine test for both Crystal and Ron.

ym523...during the custody hearing that crystal didnt attend, I would think that the judge would request a drug test from bio dad and home inspection as part of custody granted. After all, the judge should have read the numerous allegations and SHOULD have had some concern with placing these children in his custody. I'm sad that the judge did not take an interest in the lives of these kids and placed their well being with what he must have thought was the better of 2 irresponsible parents.

 

[Indiana at Heart]

That is just not true...you are still not understanding the difference between the petition that was filed by Ron in September and served on Crystal personally in October...and the notice of the December hearing that took place where the judge decided everything. The hearing notice was MAILED to both parties. Says so right there in the documents. Since Crystal failed to appear, the judge decided in Ron's favor. That's the way these things go here in Florida. He filed first...she was served the petition ONLY...her address was not correct on his petition...she didn't receive notice of the hearing...and where the heck was her attorney? He should have received the notice of hearing...but the papers say both parties were mailed the notice. He got his side presented to the judge...she didn't even get notice of the hearing.

I can't see why so many seem to see Ron as the good guy...I don't see anything of the kind. The judge thought the grandmother, who worked for the Alachua county sheriff's office, would be helping to care for the children. Ron said he was going to put them in daycare. Instead, they end up cared for by his teen age mistress and Haleigh ends up missing.

#19 in the request for a rehearing really made my hair stand on end.

<snipped from document>

19. If this matter and the underlying and undisclosed issues are not addressed now, then it is only a matter of time before additions significant incidents
occur that will demand the Court's attention and the re-hash of what is more properly addressed now.

Look what's happened while they were in his custody.

Mailed the papers right but by the address she didn't report that she moved

 

[ym523]

ym523...during the custody hearing that crystal didnt attend, I would think that the judge would request a drug test from bio dad and home inspection as part of custody granted. After all, the judge should have read the numerous allegations and SHOULD have had some concern with placing these children in his custody. I'm sad that the judge did not take an interest in the lives of these kids and placed their well being with what he must have thought was the better of 2 irresponsible parents.

CA Mom and BusyLady, I agree both should have been drug tested regularly. But, the judge will not order drug testing for allegations. I think since the judge had the DCF file, which was probably closed he felt it had been investigated. I have been there, and unless she had physical evidence he was using or selling, it is just her word. If the judge would listen to every parent who claims the other is still using or using, it would be disastrous. Innocent people would be victimized because the other parent is spiteful and holds a grudge.

 

[Busylady]

Oh I totally agree about the proof etc. But the case study by DCF was done to determine placement of the child, the urine test were recent. The judge would of had that information, it was not an old closed file.

CA Mom and BusyLady, I agree both should have been drug tested regularly. But, the judge will not order drug testing for allegations. I think since the judge had the DCF file, which was probably closed he felt it had been investigated. I have been there, and unless she had physical evidence he was using or selling, it is just her word. If the judge would listen to every parent who claims the other is still using or using, it would be disastrous. Innocent people would be victimized because the other parent is spiteful and holds a grudge.

 

[kiki the parrot]

That is just not true...you are still not understanding the difference between the petition that was filed by Ron in September and served on Crystal personally in October...and the notice of the December hearing that took place where the judge decided everything. The hearing notice was MAILED to both parties. Says so right there in the documents. Since Crystal failed to appear, the judge decided in Ron's favor. That's the way these things go here in Florida. He filed first...she was served the petition ONLY...her address was not correct on his petition...she didn't receive notice of the hearing...and where the heck was her attorney? He should have received the notice of hearing...but the papers say both parties were mailed the notice. He got his side presented to the judge...she didn't even get notice of the hearing.

I can't see why so many seem to see Ron as the good guy... The judge thought the grandmother, who worked for the Alachua county sheriff's office, would be helping to care for the children. Ron said he was going to put them in daycare. Instead, they end up cared for by his teen age mistress and Haleigh ends up missing.

#19 in the request for a rehearing really made my hair stand on end.
<snipped from document>

19. If this matter and the underlying and undisclosed issues are not addressed now, then it is only a matter of time before additions significant incidents
occur that will demand the Court's attention and the re-hash of what is more properly addressed now.

Look what's happened while they were in his custody.

I agree with the part I highlighted (in purple), Ron's mama works for the Alachua Co Sheriff's office and of course she would have some insight on what to do. His mom helped him pull a fast one on Crystal, IMO.

(bold mine) Agree. I'd say there was a very strong probability that mom's failure to challenge custody is pretty typical of a woman who has been abused or controlled by a volatile, domineering and vindictive man fearing or not wishing to antagonize nor risk retaliation; feeling defeated, lacking assertiveness or real hope of changing the court's decision; having neither the experience nor representation to navigate the legal system w no advocate to make her aware of the recourse available to her, and lacking resources (just some that immediately come to mind). Yes Mom had failed in past to make medical appointments for the children but as it happens was relying at that time on none other than dad's family for transportation (which we never hear about and which, as it turns out was unsafe and seldom reliable). But by the time of the hearing, she'd both become licensed to drive as well as gotten a vehicle in order to drive them herself. Evidently Mom was the one who completed the parenting course when it was ordered too... but as is so often the case whenever there are disparities in income, there is an imbalance of power, despite children becoming in some cases little more than pawns to one parent.

Johnny S. observed Mr. Cummings both under the influence, and driving under the influence, while the children were in his care. He had also personally observed Mr. Cummings using illegal drugs, and under the influence of drugs and alcohol combined. He had personal knowledge of Mr. Cummings selling cocaine as well as selling other drugs. He reports violence, threats of retaliation including even death threats. And most significantly, had also known Ronald Cummings to leave the children w others also known to abuse drugs and whose lifestyle "placed the children at risk." It is for this reason, I'm sure, that at the hearing, Judge Prugh pressed Ronald Cummings on the following point:

MAGISTRATE PRUGH: And who would be responsible for looking after the children while you were at work at night?

MR. CUMMINGS: My mother, my Grandmother, and my Aunt too.

MAGISTRATE PRUGH: So it would basically be your Mother, because she would be the only person in there?

MR. CUMMINGS: Yes.

At the same time, it appears Ronald Cummings had plenty to say about exactly who he would allow to watch the children while in his ex's custody:

MAGISTRATE PRUGH (to Crystal): Are you employed?

MS. SHEFFIELD: I was, until when he let me come and get the children he told me that he didn't want me to go to work and leave them with a babysitter, so I lost my job.

That would be hard to keep a job if you're not permitted any help w child care. And despite being railroaded by the arrangement, mom did continue to make payments as long as she could, evidently up until such time as dad's refusing to allow this, and an injury, and eventually becoming pregnant all made this difficult.

And Grandpa Sheffield personally heard Cummings teach his then two year-old granddaughter to repeat the despicable words, "Drink a beer. Chase a *advertiser censored*. Roll a blunt." Please, the entire thing makes my hair stand on end. Just WHERE WAS the legal advocacy for poor Haleigh, and Junior, what a TRAVESTY of failed justice for these children. No, in hindsight, I would say it's pretty clear the court made the worst possible decision. JMO

http://www.fox30online.com/media/news/1/3/e/13e1a8a0-e082-477f-9698-11a796f76a10/petineer.pdf

arrot:

 

[kalekona]

(bold mine) Agree. I'd say there was a very strong probability that mom's failure to challenge custody is pretty typical of a woman who has been abused or controlled by a volatile, domineering and vindictive man fearing or not wishing to antagonize nor risk retaliation; feeling defeated, lacking assertiveness or real hope of changing the court's decision; having neither the experience nor representation to navigate the legal system w no advocate to make her aware of the recourse available to her, and lacking resources (just some that immediately come to mind). Yes Mom had failed in past to make medical appointments for the children but as it happens was relying at that time on none other than dad's family for transportation (which we never hear about and which, as it turns out was unsafe and seldom reliable). But by the time of the hearing, she'd both become licensed to drive as well as gotten a vehicle in order to drive them herself. Evidently Mom was the one who completed the parenting course when it was ordered too... but as is so often the case whenever there are disparities in income, there is an imbalance of power, despite children becoming in some cases little more than pawns to one parent.

Johnny S. observed Mr. Cummings both under the influence, and driving under the influence, while the children were in his care. He had also personally observed Mr. Cummings using illegal drugs, and under the influence of drugs and alcohol combined. He had personal knowledge of Mr. Cummings selling cocaine as well as selling other drugs. He reports violence, threats of retaliation including even death threats. And most significantly, had also known Ronald Cummings to leave the children w others also known to abuse drugs and whose lifestyle "placed the children at risk." It is for this reason, I'm sure, that at the hearing, Judge Prugh pressed Ronald Cummings on the following point:

MAGISTRATE PRUGH: And who would be responsible for looking after the children while you were at work at night?

MR. CUMMINGS: My mother, my Grandmother, and my Aunt too.

MAGISTRATE PRUGH: So it would basically be your Mother, because she would be the only person in there?

MR. CUMMINGS: Yes.

At the same time, it appears Ronald Cummings had plenty to say about exactly who he would allow to watch the children while in his ex's custody:

MAGISTRATE PRUGH (to Crystal): Are you employed?

MS. SHEFFIELD: I was, until when he let me come and get the children he told me that he didn't want me to go to work and leave them with a babysitter, so I lost my job.

That would be hard to keep a job if you're not permitted any help w child care. And despite being railroaded by the arrangement, mom did continue to make payments as long as she could, evidently up until such time as dad's refusing to allow this, and an injury, and eventually becoming pregnant all made this difficult.

And Grandpa Sheffield personally heard Cummings teach his then two year-old granddaughter to repeat the despicable words, "Drink a beer. Chase a *advertiser censored*. Roll a blunt." Please, the entire thing makes my hair stand on end. Just WHERE WAS the legal advocacy for poor Haleigh, and Junior, what a TRAVESTY of failed justice for these children. No, in hindsight, I would say it's pretty clear the court made the worst possible decision. JMO

http://www.fox30online.com/media/news/1/3/e/13e1a8a0-e082-477f-9698-11a796f76a10/petineer.pdf

arrot:

Everything Mr Sheffield said was an allegation and all unproven at that.

It is not typical for an abused woman to fail to fight for her children, crystal simply went on and started a new family when she failed to get Haleigh and Jr.

My mother was a DV/SA advocate as well as an abused wife and she'll be the first to say Crystal does not behave like she is a terrified abuse victim.

As for Ron's mother having some pull to work the system- that just makes me laugh, the loosing parent always has an excuse- the judge hates women when he gives custody to the father and visa versa. Or someone has pull in the court.

The facts are Crystal had years to fight for her children and she had a man at her side to protect her from the big bad Ron- but it was not a priority for her. Starting a new family was.

 

[ym523]

Everything Mr Sheffield said was an allegation and all unproven at that.

It is not typical for an abused woman to fail to fight for her children, crystal simply went on and started a new family when she failed to get Haleigh and Jr.

My mother was a DV/SA advocate as well as an abused wife and she'll be the first to say Crystal does not behave like she is a terrified abuse victim.

As for Ron's mother having some pull to work the system- that just makes me laugh, the loosing parent always has an excuse- the judge hates women when he gives custody to the father and visa versa. Or someone has pull in the court.

The facts are Crystal had years to fight for her children and she had a man at her side to protect her from the big bad Ron- but it was not a priority for her. Starting a new family was.

Well said :clap: I have thought she didn't want her children from reviewing her comments about them on myspace. It is not uncommon for women who leave their children to blame everyone else, because obviously it is not natural for a mother to leave their children. It was easier for her to move on and start a new family. Your absolutely right Crystal was not alone, and she has all of her family that is camping out with her to protect her. I know that women that are abused have a hard time leaving their partner; if she was abused she had the strength to leave, but not fight for her children--it just doesn't add up. MOO if she was abused or if they fought together it was probably while the both/or one of them was high on drugs.

 

[GenealogyKR]

Well said :clap: I have thought she didn't want her children from reviewing her comments about them on myspace. It is not uncommon for women who leave their children to blame everyone else, because obviously it is not natural for a mother to leave their children. It was easier for her to move on and start a new family. Your absolutely right Crystal was not alone, and she has all of her family that is camping out with her to protect her. I know that women that are abused have a hard time leaving their partner; if she was abused she had the strength to leave, but not fight for her children--it just doesn't add up. MOO if she was abused or if they fought together it was probably while the both/or one of them was high on drugs.

And if she's so scared of Ron....why is she camped out right next to him?