The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

November 2, 2012

Court backs termination of rights

By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer

GREENVILLE — State Superior Court said Monday that a Mercer County judge properly terminated the parental rights of Michael Rabold, who is serving a prison sentence in the death of a 2-year-old son and the improper care of a second son.

Michael Rabold, 26, is serving a sentence of 7è to 15 years and his wife, Royanne Darr, 25, a sentence of 21è to 43 years. Each pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child.

The boy died on Jan. 17, 2010, of malnutrition and dehydration, and also suffered from hypothermia, bed sores and a pervasive rash. The home the family lived in in Greenville was condemned shortly after the couple was arrested.

The boy who was subject to the endangering charge, now 4, and an older brother, now 5, were put in foster care by Mercer County Children and Youth Services.

Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert G. Yeatts terminated Rabold’s parental rights, and Rabold appealed that decision to Superior Court.

As part of the process, a judge must determine whether there is a bond between the parent and child, and whether termination would “destroy an existing, necessary and beneficial relationship,” according to case law.

Yeatts concluded there was no bond between Rabold and his children, and that termination “would not destroy anything meaningful and beneficial to children.”

The judge also concluded the boys are thriving in their foster home.

Superior Court quoted testimony from two CYS caseworkers, who said the boys’ medical needs have been met, they have gained weight and are doing well.

After viewing the boys with Rabold and with their foster family, the caseworkers said they have bonded well with their foster family and show no bond to Rabold.

Superior Court affirmed Yeatts’ ruling,

“Children appear to be safe, comfortable and secure with their foster parents, who are willing to adopt them,” said Superior Court Judge Christine Donohue, writing for a three-judge panel.

Text Only
Local News
  • Crash claims 21-year-old

    A 21-year-old Sandy Lake man was killed early Saturday when he lost control of his car and rolled it several times on Hadley Road, Perry Township.

    May 19, 2013

  • UPMC to judge: Throw out bias claim

    UPMC Horizon has asked a federal judge to throw out a former employee’s claim that he was discriminated against because of his gender.

    May 19, 2013

  • Judge Christopher St. John Judicial daily double

    This year marks the first time in the county’s 209 years as a judicial district that voters have the opportunity to choose a new judge, while also deciding whether to retain an existing one.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Court: Divorce pact still a contract

    Superior Court this week agreed with a local judge that a man’s change in fortune does not get him out from under an alimony agreement he entered long ago.

    May 18, 2013

  • sorg,sharon Sorg’s leadership expands to New Castle

    Herald Publisher Sharon A. Sorg is no stranger to hometown newspapers.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Kelly rant goes viral; GM question raised

    U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly made an impression during Friday’s hearing on the IRS targeting of political groups seeking tax exempt status.

    May 18, 2013

  • snow plow Council warms up to idea of replacing snow plows

    No one wants to think about snow plows when we’ve just begun to have 80 degrees and sunshine in May.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Meth lab cook pleads guilty to drug charge

    The alleged cook of a methamphetamine lab raided by drug agents last summer has entered a guilty plea, the third of five people arrested that day to do so.

    May 17, 2013

  • Devine Campbell acquitted of gun charges

    No one disputes that a Sharon woman was terrorized by a young man who pulled a gun on her after tossing a half-eaten stromboli at her as she was walking home from work on a Sunday night in December 2011.

    May 17, 2013

  • Drilling equipment maker plans plant here

    A Winner Cos. warehouse in the North Flats of Sharon is on its way to conversion into a manufacturing plant offering more than 100 new jobs.

    May 17, 2013