Philadelphia Inquirer: “Senate candidate Sean Parnell has lost his battle for custody of his three children after his estranged wife accused him of physical and verbal abuse, a ruling likely to deal a devastating setback to his campaign. A judge in Butler County has awarded Parnell’s wife, Laurie Snell, primary physical custody and sole legal custody of their three children, according to a portion of a ruling made public Monday. A docket entry for the ruling said the judge found Snell to be ‘the more credible witness.’ Both parents were seeking primary custody in a private fight that drew national attention due to its potential impact on a race that could decide control of the Senate.”
“Parnell will be allowed to have the children, ages 8 to 12, three weekends a month. The parents until now have split custody. Parnell had been a leading GOP contender, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, in the race to succeed Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. His allies had hoped a favorable ruling in the custody case would help discredit the abuse accusations that he had denied under oath.”