Judge Seeking to Become Girl’s Foster Father Is Transferred
A Superior Court judge who wants to become the foster father of a 16-year-old girl he sentenced has been moved from Juvenile Court to Civil Court.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Leonard Sprinkles is attempting to become a foster parent for the teen-ager, who he said comes from “an inappropriate family situation.”
“My wife and I wanted to help her out,” he said.
But the action was not without controversy. Dennis Handis, the county’s chief probation officer, had said his department could not recommend placing the girl with the judge.
On Tuesday, Sprinkles was moved from the juvenile division to the civil division, said his attorney, Albie Jachimowicz.
Sprinkles, 49, placed the girl in a county ranch eight months ago for a crime that he would not disclose because of her age. She is to be released in a couple of weeks.
The judge had said he saw no conflict because he had disqualified himself from any possible cases involving the youngster.
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