Here is the long-awaited response from Ronald Cummings attorneys regarding allegations of child abuse connected to Haleigh Cummings and Ronald Cummings Jr.
KIMBALL & SNIDER, P.A.
Greg Kimball, Attorney P.A. Mail All Correspondence to:
T. Jerry Snider, Attorney P.A. 626 Reid Street
Palatka, FL32177
Ph. (386) 328-1977
Fax. (386) 328-1974
PRESS RELEASE
March 26, 2009
RE: FALSE ACUSATIONS REGARDING RONALD CUMMINGS, FATHER OF HALEIGH CUMMINGS, BY THE BIOLOGICAL MOTHER, CRYSTALSHEFFIELD
RONALD CUMMINGS' RESPONSE
Allegation I: Injuries to Haleigh Cummings as Depicted in Certain Undated Photos provided by the biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, to the media
All photos provided by Ronald Cummings are date and time stamped. Medical and school records will be available on FindHaleighNow.com, a website now under construction which should be online no later than April 2, 2008.
Zipfile of Photos
Timeline:
It is evident to all that Haleigh Cummings was injured at her elementary school, (Browning-Pearce) on November 6, 2008. The school records document a nose cut at 1:50 p.m. A photo taken the previous day (Exhibit A) shows Haleigh without injury.
Haleigh Cummings was taken to the ER at FlaglerHospital in St. Augustine at 4:31 p.m. on November 6, 2008 by Teresa Neves, Ronald's mother, since Ronald had to report to work. The hospital records document a laceration to the nose, and facial contusions, and it was noted upon physical examination that Haleigh was suffering from swelling and superficial abrasions, a more serious injury than described by the school report. It is important to note that emergency room physicians and staff are extensively trained in recognizing, treating and reporting child abuse and it is clear there were no such concerns.
In the interim, during the afternoon of November 6, 2008, at 3:38 p.m., approximately 1 ½ hours after the injury, two photos taken by Teresa Neves (Exhibit B) accurately depict Haleigh's injuries. The injuries were also observed by Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin (now Cummings) on November 6, 2008, and on November 7, 2008 by Annette Sykes, Ronald's grandmother.
On November 7, 2008, three (3) photos were taken at 10:17 a.m. (Exhibit C) by Teresa Neves, which depict worsening discoloration and swelling.
On November 9, 2008, three (3) more photos were taken of Haleigh (Exhibit D) which show the natural progression and continuation of her response to the injury.
On November 12, 2008, Haleigh was suffering from stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. She was taken by Teresa Neves to FlaglerHospital in St. Augustine where she was treated, and because of the facial trauma that occurred on November 6, 2008, a CT of the head and nose was performed as a precaution. Both tests were negative for any abnormalities. She was provided medication, and released.
On November 14, 2008, two (2) photos of Haleigh were taken by Teresa Neves (Exhibit E) showing that all swelling had subsided, with no visible lacerations or bruises.
The undated photos in the possession of the biological mother are consistent with the photos depicted in the timeline provided herein.
The biological mother's assertion the injuries depicted exist due to abuse by Ronald Cummings is false and unsubstantiated, made recklessly without any effort to obtain all relevant information. The result has been the slander and libel of Ronald Cummings.
Allegation II Injuries to Ronald Cummings, Jr. on the Leg
Ronald Cummings is without knowledge of this injury. The photo submitted by the biological mother in no way indicates how the scratch occurred, and it is certainly consistent with a bicycle or playground accident, and seems plainly inconsistent with an intentional injury.
Credibility of Biological Mother
In addition to the false allegations regarding the photos of Haleigh Cummings, referenced in Allegation I in this release, additional serious credibility problems exist relating to the biological mother.
The biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, previously made false accusations about alleged violence by Ronald Cummings in an injunction proceeding in Baker County, Florida. Ronald Cummings had legal counsel who obtained a dismissal by the presiding judge in open court because of the lack of credibility of the mother.
The biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, also knowingly made a false police report about a vehicle which she claimed was stolen. This was widely reported by national media and occurred in Putnam County, Florida.
In conclusion, the timeline and photos leave no doubt as to the cause, nature, and severity of the injuries to Haleigh regarding the events of November 2008.
As mentioned earlier, these accusations were made recklessly without any effort to obtain all relevant information. Instead, Crystal Sheffield and her attorney sensationalized the allegations when they appeared on various TV shows.
Most importantly, the focus has been taken off the search for Haleigh by this tawdry and inexcusable publicity stunt.
Greg Kimball T. Jerry Snider
CRIMINAL HISTORIES OF HALEIGH'S PARENTS
We now have an accounting of the criminal records of both Haleigh's biological parents: Ronald Cummings and Crystal Sheffield....
RONALD CUMMINGS RECORD:
MAY 20, 2001
POSS. OF TOBACCO UNDER 18 YEARS OLD – GUILTY
OCTOBER 23, 2001
INTENT OR THREAT TO DO VIOLENCE – DROPPED
DECEMBER 12, 2002
COCAINE POSSESSION – NOT PROSECUTED
MARIJUANA POSSESSION – ADMINISTRATIVELY DISMISSED
NARCOTIC EQUIPMENT POSSESSION – NO ACTION TAKEN
MARCH 21, 2004
POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL UNDER 21 – DISPOSITION HELD
CONTRIBUTING TO DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR – NOT PROSECUTED
NOVEMBER 12, 2004
MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION – ADJUDICATION WITHHELD
NARCOTIC EQUIPMENT POSSESSION – NO ACTION TAKEN
MAINTAINING DRUG VEHICLE – NO ACTION TAKEN
SEPTEMBER 26, 2005
POSSESSION OF MORPHINE – DROPPED
POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION – DROPPED
POSSESSION OF DRUG WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION – DROPPED
NARCOTIC EQUIPMENT POSSESSION – DROPPED
VIOLATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INJUNCTION – DROPPED
JULY 29, 2006
TRESPASSING AFTER WARNING – GUILTY – GIVEN PROBATION AND A FINE
CRYSTAL SHEFFIELD RECORD:
June 25, 2007 - providing false information regarding a crime – prosecution deferred and
July 2008 - traffic violation for driving while her license was suspended.
Sheffield complied with the terms of her deferment.
P/I COBRA COMMENTS ON THE CASE (back by demand)
AUDIO: William "Cobra" Staubs Warning: R-rated language/modified for time concerns
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