March 26, 2009-Press Release

March 26, 2009

RE: FALSE ACUSATIONS REGARDING RONALD CUMMINGS, FATHER OF HALEIGH CUMMINGS, BY THE BIOLOGICAL MOTHER, CRYSTALSHEFFIELD

RONALD CUMMINGS' RESPONSE

Allegation I: Injuries to Haleigh Cummings as Depicted in Certain Undated Photos provided by the biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, to the media

All photos provided by Ronald Cummings are date and time stamped. Medical and school records will be available on FindHaleighNow.com, a website now under construction which should be online no later than April 2, 2008.

Timeline:
It is evident to all that Haleigh Cummings was injured at her elementary school, (Browning-Pearce) on November 6, 2008. The school records document a nose cut at 1:50 p.m. A photo taken the previous day (Exhibit A) shows Haleigh without injury.

Haleigh Cummings was taken to the ER at FlaglerHospital in St. Augustine at 4:31 p.m. on November 6, 2008 by Teresa Neves, Ronald's mother, since Ronald had to report to work. The hospital records document a laceration to the nose, and facial contusions, and it was noted upon physical examination that Haleigh was suffering from swelling and superficial abrasions, a more serious injury than described by the school report. It is important to note that emergency room physicians and staff are extensively trained in recognizing, treating and reporting child abuse and it is clear there were no such concerns.

In the interim, during the afternoon of November 6, 2008, at 3:38 p.m., approximately 1 ½ hours after the injury, two photos taken by Teresa Neves (Exhibits B-1 and B-2) accurately depict Haleigh's injuries. The injuries were also observed by Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin (now Cummings) on November 6, 2008, and on November 7, 2008 by Annette Sykes, Ronald's grandmother.

On November 7, 2008, three (3) photos were taken at 10:17 a.m. (Exhibits C-1, C-2 and C-3) by Teresa Neves, which depict worsening discoloration and swelling.

On November 9, 2008, three (3) more photos were taken of Haleigh (Exhibits D-1, D-2 and D-3) which show the natural progression and continuation of her response to the injury.

On November 12, 2008, Haleigh was suffering from stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. She was taken by Teresa Neves to FlaglerHospital in St. Augustine where she was treated, and because of the facial trauma that occurred on November 6, 2008, a CT of the head and nose was performed as a precaution. Both tests were negative for any abnormalities. She was provided medication, and released.

On November 14, 2008, two (2) photos of Haleigh were taken by Teresa Neves (Exhibits E-1 and E-2) showing that all swelling had subsided, with no visible lacerations or bruises.

The undated photos in the possession of the biological mother are consistent with the photos depicted in the timeline provided herein.

The biological mother's assertion the injuries depicted exist due to abuse by Ronald Cummings is false and unsubstantiated, made recklessly without any effort to obtain all relevant information. The result has been the slander and libel of Ronald Cummings.

Allegation II Injuries to Ronald Cummings, Jr. on the Leg

Ronald Cummings is without knowledge of this injury. The photo submitted by the biological mother in no way indicates how the scratch occurred, and it is certainly consistent with a bicycle or playground accident, and seems plainly inconsistent with an intentional injury.

Credibility of Biological Mother

In addition to the false allegations regarding the photos of Haleigh Cummings, referenced in Allegation I in this release, additional serious credibility problems exist relating to the biological mother.

The biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, previously made false accusations about alleged violence by Ronald Cummings in an injunction proceeding in Baker County, Florida. Ronald Cummings had legal counsel who obtained a dismissal by the presiding judge in open court because of the lack of credibility of the mother.

The biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, also knowingly made a false police report about a vehicle which she claimed was stolen. This was widely reported by national media and occurred in Putnam County, Florida.

In conclusion, the timeline and photos leave no doubt as to the cause, nature, and severity of the injuries to Haleigh regarding the events of November 2008.

As mentioned earlier, these accusations were made recklessly without any effort to obtain all relevant information. Instead, Crystal Sheffield and her attorney sensationalized the allegations when they appeared on various TV shows.

Most importantly, the focus has been taken off the search for Haleigh by this tawdry and inexcusable publicity stunt.


Greg Kimball
T. Jerry Snider