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Child tells court he fears father's anger; judge schedules custody follow‑up
Summary
A Cumberland County child testified that he fears his father's anger and requested choice over visitation; the judge heard the testimony, expressed concern, and scheduled follow‑up hearings to evaluate safety and time‑share adjustments.
A juvenile witness, Patrick Kerr, told the Cumberland County Circuit Court he fears his father’s anger, describing episodes of cursing, throwing objects and family arguments. The child asked the court for the ability to choose whether to visit his father rather than follow a rigid schedule.
Counsel for the child and the court explored recent incidents, including an episode in which the child said his father called angrily and then used profanity and threw objects. The child said he sometimes worries his father may harm family members accidentally during outbursts.
The judge acknowledged the seriousness of the child’s statements and the need to balance stability with safety. Rather than immediately modifying the time‑share, the court set a detailed evidentiary hearing for December 19 to receive testimony about support systems, school/medical records and any expert evaluations needed to decide relocation or time‑share changes. The judge directed both parties to exchange witness and exhibit lists and to cooperate with discovery; the court also left in place the existing weekend‑and‑holiday schedule pending the next hearing.
The child's direct testimony helped the court narrow the issues to child‑safety concerns and to the availability of local services; the judge emphasized that relocation or major time‑share changes would require clear evidence and a plan to preserve the child’s continuity of care.
