Balderson v. McNamara

By Judge Joseph E. Spruill, Jr.

This is a defamation action brought by William M. Balderson, Jr., against Melissa S. McNamara and Kathryn S. Knoeller, employees of the Westmoreland County Department of Social Services, who are being sued in their individual, not in their official, capacities. The claims arise from an investigation made by the defendants of charges of sexual abuse by the plaintiff of his adopted teenage daughter, Mary Ellen Balderson.

A demurrer and plea in bar have been filed by the defendants. These pleas were argued May 26th. The Court has considered the arguments of counsel…