A judge granted Parnell’s wife sole legal custody of their children. She alleges that he abused her for years.
Pennsylvania Republican Sean Parnell, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has suspended his campaign for the U.S. Senate after losing custody of his three children. Parnell was looking to win a Senate seat that’s open because of Senator Pat Toomey’s decision to not run for reelection. Parnell came under heavy scrutiny for restraining orders that his wife, Laurie Snell, sought in 2017 and 2018, as well as accusations that he abused her for years, including choking her. Parnell has denied the allegations and testified under oath that he « never » got « physical » with his wife. Asked by his attorney if he ever choked his wife, he responded, « Never. » On Monday, Judge James Arner ruled against Parnell and granted sole legal custody to Snell. Parnell will have physical custody on three weekends a month, according to the judge’s order. Shortly after news of the judge’s ruling broke, Parnell announced he was suspending his Senate campaign.
