For several weeks major news stories and significant hoopla focused on the serious allegations of child molestation, encompassing 40 criminal counts of sexual abuse of children against Penn State University’s former assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky.
It seems that Jerry Sandusky’s son, Matthew, is in the throes of custody proceeding involving, among other matters, the time sharing with Matthew’s and his former wife Jill’s three children, ages 9, 7 and 5. On November 7, 2011, just two days after the charges were filed against Jerry Sandusky, the former Jill Sandusky (now know as Jill Jones) filed a petition in the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County, Pennsylvania, asking that the court “enter a temporary order stating that until further order of court, the children shall not be in the home of Jerry Sandusky or in his presence.”
Apparently the parties had an Interim Parenting Plan, dating back to August 3, 2011. According to Jill’s allegations, when the children are with their father, Matthew Sandusky, they are “regularly in the care of their grandparents,” Jerry and Dorothy Sandusky.
Although I don’t know whether Matthew Sandusky’s attorney filed a response to this motion, one thing is clear, the presiding judge, Thomas King Kistle, made a proper decision in ruling on the motion.
Judge Kistle, in a temporary order entered on the same day the motion was filed, held that the Sandusky children were not to be in the presence of Jerry Sandusky “without supervision,” and further temporarily prohibited overnight visitation at Jerry Sandusky’s home. Although Jill Sandusky sought to prohibit Jerry Sandusky from any contact whatsoever with his grandchildren, Judge Kistle amended the proposed order so that safeguards were in place for the protection of the children, while limiting the further trauma that the family and the children are certainly suffering under the scrutiny of the country and the world.
Being neither in the position of judge nor jury in determining Jerry Sandusky’s guilt or innocence, I’ll leave that to the state of Pennsylvania’s justice system. But besides (perhaps rightfully) turning the reputation of esteemed Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno upside down, there is more at stake...the Sandusky grandchildren.
Although these children are relatively young, undoubtedly wagging tongues, finger pointing and muffled whispers have infiltrated their childhood in the vicinity of their Penn State University dominated town. By Judge Kistle’s benevolent and wise temporary ruling, at least these children have some stability whereby their grandfather is not abruptly removed from their lives, yet the children are protected from this alleged predator. If Jerry Sandusky did even one of the things he’s been accused of he should rot in some far away jail forever...if that is punishment enough. Someday, these children will know the truth. But for now, Judge Kistle ensured that these children will be safe, but put a band-aid on a family that surely needs it.
Oh, and also, glad to see that Judge Kistle’s order also addressed the issues of Matthew Sandusky using his mother as a conduit for communication between his ex-wife and himself. Good for you Judge Kistle...and Matthew, grow up. These are your children and Jill’s. Whatever
brought about the demise of the marriage (and believe me, as a family law and divorce attorney I’ve heard it all), act like an adult and father. You need to parent these children TOGETHER. Takes what’s good about both of you (and, apparently you used to see something good to have three children together) and use it to raise three healthy and happy children.
Our firm has handled similar cases. We are attorneys, but we are also parents and people who care about children and families...especially those fractured by divorce. If you have issues involving time sharing with your children in Florida, and particularly Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, we would be glad to speak with you about them.
Cindy S. Vova
Law Office of Cindy S. Vova, P.A.
8551 West Sunrise Boulevard
Suite 301
Plantation, FL 33322
(954) 316-3496
cindyvova@vovalaw.com
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