Judge: Sanfords to mediate over parenting issues

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP/WCSC) - A judge says U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford and his ex-wife have agreed to mediate issues concerning parenting of their four sons.

Family Court Judge Daniel E. Martin, Jr. said Monday a request to seal the entire proceeding is still pending. Neither Mark Sanford nor his former wife Jenny appeared at the Charleston County Judicial Center Monday morning for the case.

Martin says there will be a 30-day time limit to settle the differences between the Sanfords, but the mediation timeline has not yet begun.

The Sanfords divorced in 2010. Jenny Sanford has asked a Family Court judge to limit the lawmaker's visitation with his youngest child. She also wants Mark Sanford to undergo psychological tests and take anger management and parenting courses.

While South Carolina governor, Sanford disappeared from the state in 2009, telling aides he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. He confessed he was in Argentina and had been having an affair.

Mark Sanford said Friday he was calling off his engagement to Maria Belen Chapur because of the dispute with his ex-wife.

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