Bail reduced for mother in Bucks County child 'gifting' case

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Bail has been lowered for a mother charged in connection with a child endangerment case in Bucks County.

A judge ordered the bail for Savilla Stoltzfus lowered to 10 percent of $250,000 on Friday.

That's down from her original bail of 10% of $1 million.

At last check, Savilla Stoltzfus had not made bail, her lawyer adding that she has very limited financial resources.

She must also abide by the original bail conditions that she have not contact with the victims in this case or her co-defendants.

Stoltzfus and her husband, Daniel Stoltzfus, are charged with endangering the welfare of a child after police say they "gifted" their 14-year-old daughter to 51-year-old Lee Kaplan in exchange for helping their family out of financial ruin after a falling out with the Amish Church.

That daughter is now 18 and has two children by Kaplan.

In all, twelve girls were removed from Kaplan's Feasterville home in June.

Kaplan is charged with statutory sexual assault and other crimes. He is behind bars on $1 million bail.

The children are now in the custody of Bucks County Children and Youth.

Police issued a search warrant Saturday for the Bucks County home of a man facing sex assault charges after allegedly fathering two children with a teenage girl who, police say, was "gifted" to him by her parents.

Investigators spent several days going through Kaplan's home and removing evidence just after the arrests.

While Savilla Stoltzfus' attorney and prosecutors came to an agreement on the bail reduction before Friday's hearing, her attorney says the new bail amount is still too high.

"A quarter of a million dollars for a person with no past criminal record is a very high bail," said Craig Penglase. "But we are respectful of the facts of the case, and the fact that we have to pay deference to the seriousness of the offense."

"She would essentially have to post $25,000 to get out," said Assistant Bucks County District Attorney Kate Kohler. "That is a substantial cash bail. I believe it's appropriate in this case. It will protect the community and ensure that she'll be here at all subsequent proceedings."

Defense attorneys say they plan to make another request for bail reduction in 30 days. That's the soonest allowable date in Bucks County.

A preliminary hearing has been set for August 2nd in district court in Feasterville. That hearing will be for all three co-defendants.