Family service plan to alleviate stress

STAFF REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A mother who left her baby on a doorstep in Union Township will have another hearing to determine if she will regain custody of the 4-month-old boy.

Lelanie Gurley, 21, of Beaver Falls left her son on the doorstep Aug. 21 over a dispute with a man she says is her baby’s father, authorities have said.

The homeowner, who is the father of that man, called police.

Gurley had been charged with child endangerment, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, but those charges were dropped this week.

She had a hearing before Juvenile Master Susan Papa on Thursday, but that hearing did not decide the custody issue, Papa said.

Papa said Gurley agreed at the hearing to submit to the jurisdiction of the court and provide information on her resources, financial and otherwise, so agencies can put together a family service plan for her. That plan would be directed toward relieving her stress as a single mother, Papa said.

Another hearing, which is supposed to settle the custody issue, will be at 8:30 a.m. next Thursday, Papa said.