A focused trial was held regarding custody and access arrangements for a child born in 2009.
The father sought sole custody with primary residence and limited access for the mother.
The mother sought sole custody with primary residence and increased access for the father.
The court found that both parents love the child and are capable of meeting his needs, but significant concerns existed regarding the father's credibility, mental health, and the paternal family's ability to support the child's relationship with the mother.
The court also found concerns regarding the mother's past use of physical discipline.
Rather than making a final custody determination, the court issued a temporary order maintaining the status quo with the father as primary caregiver while ordering further investigations by the Office of the Children's Lawyer and psychiatric assessments for both parents before a final determination could be made.
