SUNBURY - A Northumberland County judge filed in a court notice Monday his intent to sue two county officials as well as a court-appointed guardian for juveniles.
A writ of summons was issued to Michael Robinson, solicitor for county Children and Youth Services, Cathy Gemberling, director of social services, and Cheryl Humes, a Lewisburg attorney and court-appointed guardian for juvenile court cases.
The summons was sought by Judge Charles H. Saylor, who is taking civil action against the trio.
A complaint that would detail Saylor's claims had not been filed by the end of business Tuesday, according to the county prothonotary's office.
Saylor was reassigned from all Children and Youth cases in January. It came on directive of President Judge Robert B. Sacavage, a decision Saylor said at the time that he respected, but one he said was "probably best for a brief period of time."
To date no public explanation has been given as to why Saylor was removed from cases dealing with Children and Youth.
The reassignment came one month after Judy Jones, director of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) office, as well as a part-time case manager were forced out of the county courthouse by the county commissioners.
The judge blamed Robinson for CASA's removal, saying the attorney did so in retaliation for an unfavorable outcome on a prior court ruling made by Saylor.
Gary Steffen, chief clerk, denied Saylor's accusations that the move was political, referring to "unsolicited reports and complaints concerning the interaction of county agencies" with Saylor and the involvement of "investigative agencies" in the matter.
At the time of the commissioners' decision, Saylor issued a press release blaming the Children and Youth solicitor "and his cohort, a recently appointed guardian." He didn't name names, but the positions he referred to are held by Robinson and Humes, respectively.
Attempts to reach the four late Tuesday afternoon and, in Saylor's case, after hours, were unsuccessful.
Gemberling is a county employee. Robinson and Humes are contracted with the county and appointed by county commissioners.
The national CASA program that provides volunteer advocates for neglected and abused children in the court system was established three years ago in the county by Saylor, who handles custody cases.
The program was launched with a grant from Parent to Parent Connections and has been funded with private donations and contributions from the national CASA organization and Northumberland County Bar Association.