Brisbane foster mom sent to mental health treatment program

(KRON) — A Brisbane woman who allegedly attempted to gouge her foster daughter’s eye out was ordered by a judge to complete a mental health treatment program.

The foster parent, Sandra Lee Linder, was previously charged by San Mateo County prosecutors with child abuse.

After a four-day hearing in March, a judge found 52-year-old Linder suitable for mental health diversion and all criminal proceedings were suspended. She was granted diversion out of the criminal courts system and avoided standing trial.

The case stemmed from an incident on March 9, 2022, and an investigation by the California Highway Patrol Redwood City Office. Linder’s foster daughter, a 16-year-old girl, got into an argument with another family member in their Brisbane home, prosecutors said.

Linder grabbed the girl, drove the victim to Poplar Avenue in San Mateo, prosecutors said. The foster mother “began to punch (the victim) in the face and head … then slammed victim’s head against the ground and used her fingers to try to gouge out victim’s left eye,” the District Attorney’s Office wrote.

Two nearby construction workers attempted to stop the attack and protect the teenage girl. But Linder charged at the workers until they ran back to their truck and locked themselves inside, the DA’s office said. Linder attempted to ignite the truck on fire, prosecutors wrote.

When police officers arrived on scene, the foster daughter ran to them for safety. She had multiple injuries on her face, arms, and legs, according to the DA’s Office.

The foster mother returned to Mental Health Diversion Court on Monday and a judge reviewed her progress report. Judge Jakubowski exonerated her $200,000 bail bond. Linder will remain on probation for two years. She is required to follow a mental health treatment plan, stay off social media, and she cannot contact the victim.