Judge: Kaplan can't sell Feasterville home where girls were found

A Bucks County judge Friday temporarily banned Lee Kaplan - the 51-year-old man arrested on charges of raping a girl who had been "gifted" to him by her parents when she was 14 - from selling his Feasterville home.

In issuing a temporary restraining order, Judge Jeffrey L. Finley granted a request from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

Appearing in court Thursday, Kaplan - dressed in a yellow inmate jumpsuit, handcuffed, and with long gray hair and beard - did not take the witness stand, but chatted with his attorneys during the proceedings. Finley had delayed his decision until Friday.

The house could be used as a forfeiture property if Kaplan is convicted.

A dozen girls were found living in Kaplan's home on Old Street Road on June 16, when police responded to a child-abuse tip. One was an 18-year-old whom Kaplan said he considered his wife, and with whom he had two children. The rest were the 18-year-old's sisters, ranging in age from 3 to 17.

Their parents, Daniel and Savilla Stoltzfus, and Kaplan told authorities that the oldest girl was given to Kaplan as a thank-you after he helped the family out of financial trouble.

The parents were arrested on child-endangerment charges. The Stoltzfuses and Kaplan are being held in prison; hearings are set for August.

jmcdaniel@philly.com

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