Sean Parnell, a former Pennsylvania senator and congressional candidate, said in a Father’s Day update that he had been “exonerated” by the “family court system” following a custody battle with his ex-wife.
Parnell, a combat veteran who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, post He told X that his “rights” had been “fully restored” and that a “more favourable custody arrangement” had been put in place from November 2023 onwards.
The update was released by Parnell’s ex-wife, Laurie Snell. Given the According to CNN, she was granted “primary physical custody and sole legal custody” of their three children in November 2021.
During Parnell’s custody battle with his ex-wife, the mainstream media and his then-political opponent, Jeff Bartos, launched a smear campaign against Parnell, including drawing his children into the fray. Bartos served as an intern for former President Bill Clinton and ran for the Republican nomination.
of Philadelphia Inquirer Published The September 2021 article said Bartos believed Parnell was “unelectable” because Parnell’s ex-wife sought “protective orders” from him in 2017 and 2018. Both protective orders were “expunged by the courts.”
With Jonathan Tamari Inquirer I have written:
Bartos’ criticism focuses on two temporary protection from abuse orders issued against Parnell in 2017 and 2018. Neither was extended and later removed after full hearings by both parties. It is unclear what Parnell’s wife accused him of when the temporary orders were issued. Parnell and his wife remain engaged in a divorce and custody battle.
Rumors of the protective order have been quietly simmering in political and media circles for months, but they were first made public in an interview Tuesday by Mr. Bartos, who plans to release a memo on the matter on Wednesday arguing why it should distance Republicans from Mr. Parnell.
CNN did the same. article It said Parnell was dealing with “significant personal issues that are causing concern,” and the outlet also claimed that a “rival Republican candidate” had shared “details of Parnell’s ongoing, messy divorce and custody case.”
After Parnell’s ex-wife was awarded legal custody of their children, he said he was “devastated” by the court’s decision and dropped his Senate bid.
“This Father’s Day, I wanted to share an important personal update,” Parnell began. “After two years of enduring the hell that is our family court system, I have been exonerated. Since last November, I have had a more favorable custody arrangement than ever before. All of my rights have been fully restored – joint legal and physical custody.”
Parnell added that he “shortly after” adopted his wife Melanie’s daughters and is now father to “five amazing children”.
“Every moment I spend as their father fills me with immeasurable joy,” Parnell added. “It’s been a hard journey to get to this point. I never imagined I would have to work so hard to become a father.”
Parnell continued, “Life often brings unexpected challenges, but no matter how difficult they may be, we must face them with fortitude and hope.”
**IMPORTANT FATHER’S DAY UPDATE**
This Father’s Day, I wanted to give you an important personal update. After two years of enduring the hell that is our family court system, I have been acquitted. Since last November, I have been more… pic.twitter.com/Sltmh8FKx7
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) June 16, 2024
Parnell’s ex-wife was awarded custody of the two children despite inconsistencies in her allegations that Parnell had abused them.
As previously reported by Breitbart News, Snell was questioned in court about “text messages” he sent to Parnell in June 2018, months after the alleged abuse occurred, in which he praised Parnell for being a good father and asked if he would look after their children.
In earlier testimony, Snell alleged that “Parnell punched a child in the back, leaving a welt,” and that in a separate incident, Parnell “slammed a door into another child’s face, leaving a bruise.”
“To any fathers out there who are fighting their way through the family court system and may not see their children today, I empathize with your pain,” Parnell added. “This is hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Stay strong. I don’t care if you can’t afford a lawyer. Represent yourself. As a father in family court, the odds are always stacked against you. There will be many unfair moments where you feel like quitting, but don’t quit. Keep fighting for your children and persevere through the hard times. The hell will end. Just hang in there.”
