Sunbury woman sues Shamokin city, police for failing to return cellphone after charges were dismissed

Francis Scarcella, The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
·2 min read

Jun. 21—SUNBURY — A Sunbury woman is suing the city of Shamokin and three police officers and is seeking punitive damages and the return of her cellphone after charges of homicide were dropped in an alleged child neglect case.

Krystal Lee Semerod, 39, of 331 Pennsylvania Ave., Sunbury, is suing the city of Shamokin, Police Chief Ray Siko, Cpl. Tyler Bischof and patrolman Benjamin Busko. Even after Northumberland County District Attorney Michael O'Donnell dropped homicide charges against Semerod, the lawsuit said police are refusing to return her personal cellphone. Berwice attorney Frank Kepner filed the suit in Northumberland County Court.

The case began in September when police say they, in coordination with Sunbury Police, conducted an investigation for three days leading up to the death of a 6-month-old child, officials said.

The child died on Sept. 19 at Geisinger Medical Center, in Danville.

The officers accused Semerod in the infant's death after a doctor at Geisinger Medical Center, in Danville, said tests confirmed the baby was shaken, according to a court document.

Semerod was charged with criminal homicide on Sept. 19, but Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn said at the time, there were no signs of homicide or trauma after an autopsy was conducted on a 6-month-old child.

Lynn said the autopsy indicated no signs of homicide or trauma.

The lawsuit claims Semerod was released from Northumberland County Jail in February after the charges were dropped and she asked for the return of her property.

The suit claims police are keeping her cellphone as a result of maliciousness because they want to inflict emotional harm on her, according to court documents.

Semerod said in the lawsuit, her phone contains personal information, phone numbers and photographs.

Kepner attached a letter to the lawsuit showing he sent a request to Siko on March 24 asking police to return the cellphone or he would seek a court order.

Semerod is seeking an unspecified amount of punitive damages.