"Fake Dad" tries to get custody, stop mom from moving out of state (Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania)

Where to even start with this case? This is what the fathers rights movement has wrought, folks. Men--even unmarried men who are NOT the biological fathers of the children involved-- now feel entitled to take custody of children on a whim, lie with impunity, and totally control the movements of women.

How can we even count the ways that this case is completely outrageous?

1) CONTROL OF WOMEN'S MOVEMENTS. It started with married fathers insisting on their "right" to control the mother's movements after a divorce (denial of out-of-state moveaways, control over the space in which mothers are "allowed" to live or relocate). Then unmarried sperm donors insisted on the same rights, even if they had never lived with the mother and had never supported her in raising a family in any way. Now we see where all this is progressing. Even boyfriends who are not the biological fathers are insisting on their "right" to dictate where women with children are allowed to live. In this case, because the courts are still stuck at the sperm exaltation stage, this particular man's efforts were denied. But for how much longer? Are we getting to the stage where ANY MALE feels entitled to dictate where women are allowed to live or relocate? Are we getting to the stage where the courts are going to let them?

2) FALSE CLAIMS AND ACCUSATIONS. Funny that the fathers rights movement keeps insisting that women are the habitual liars when it comes to court abuse allegations. In this case, the boyfriend lied about being the child's biological father and about the mother abusing HIM. But then the actual research shows that men lie at least as often as women in court, if not MORE SO. Not that this stops the fathers rights propaganda to the contrary.

3) SEXUAL ASSAULT CONVICTION NO BARRIER TO CUSTODY. Note that this guy was CONVICTED of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl a few years ago. Of course, anymore, a violent criminal history is no barrier for a man to get custody, or controlling a woman's movements with court permission. It sure didn't concern this guy when he filed. So are we to believe that the ONLY barrier JACK COVERT faced in getting custody was the lack of a "sperm connection"? That his abuse lies and sexual assault history wouldn't have mattered in the slightest?

4) JUDICIAL CORRUPTION. I think that is extremely possible that had this guy established a "sperm connection," he would have been successful in his efforts. OBSERVE WHO THE JUDGE WAS IN THE SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE. MARK CIAVARELLA of the "Kids for Cash" scandal. This is Luzerne County we're talking about, with corruption up the ying yang. You can get any result you want with enough cash on the table.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Ciavarella

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Man_jailed__allegedly_lured_boy_from_mom_06-07-2010.html

Posted: 1:00 AM

Man jailed, allegedly lured boy from mom
Cops: Covert provided false info to court to gain custody of child.
By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

HARVEYS LAKE – A man was arrested on charges he lured a 4-year-old child away from the mother and provided false information on court documents to gain custody of the child.

Jack Covert, 51, of Second Street, was charged after the child’s mother claimed he took her son when he found out she was relocating to California, according to charges filed by state police at Wyoming and Luzerne County detectives.

She previously had a relationship with Covert that ended in September 2008.

Investigators said Covert is not the biological father of the child.

Covert was charged with two counts of unsworn falsification to authorities, and one count each of endangering the welfare of children and interference with custody of children. He was arraigned on Saturday and remained jailed Monday at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $50,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

The mother took her child to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, on Thursday to remove a cast from the child’s foot. When she parked her vehicle, she claimed Covert was in the parking lot and demanded that he go with them inside the hospital.

She alleged after leaving the hospital, Covert followed her to her home in Harveys Lake and lured the child to his vehicle, saying he had a gift for him, the criminal complaint says.

Authorities allege in the criminal complaint that Covert pulled the child inside the vehicle and sped away on state Route 415. The mother of the child ran after the vehicle yelling to Covert to stop.

The mother told investigators that she told Covert she was going to California on a two-week vacation but was planning to stay in California to distance herself and the child from Covert. She believed Covert learned of her intentions to stay in California as a reason why he kidnapped her child, the criminal complaint says.

Investigators allege Covert provided false information on two separate court documents – a motion for child custody and on an application for a protection from abuse on June 2.

In both documents, Covert misrepresented his relationship with the child, and claimed the mother was abusive to him. A county judge issued a temporary PFA against the mother based on Covert’s application.

In an unrelated case, Covert was convicted by a Luzerne County jury in June 2001 of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl inside his then tattoo studio on South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, in September 2000.

An appellate court ordered a new trial when the trial judge, Mark Ciavarella, outside the presence of prosecutors and Covert’s lawyers, discussed the case with jurors and suggested how they should deliberate.

Covert pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of indecent assault and was sentenced in April 2003 to 421 days time served, according to court records.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled on June 10 before District Judge James Tupper in Kingston Township.