Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky could appear in court next month -- this time to ask for the right to visit his grandchildren.

Mr. Sandusky, who faces 52 criminal counts on charges he sexually abused 10 boys over 15 years, has been on house arrest since he posted bail on Dec. 8.

---

THE SANDUSKY CASE

» See the PG's coverage

---

The terms of his bail stipulate, among other things, that he can't have contact with anyone under the age of 18, including relatives.

Mr. Sandusky's lawyer, Joseph Amendola, had previously confirmed that authorities were investigating claims his client had sexually abused at least one child who is a relative. It is not clear whether charges were filed in connection with those allegations.

"Jerry's grandchildren want to see him, and Jerry very much wants to see his grandchildren," Mr. Amendola said in an email.

Mr. Sandusky has 11 grandchildren under 18 and is expecting another, his lawyer said.

In a motion filed in the Centre County Court of Common Pleas Friday, Mr. Amendola asked a judge to change the conditions of Mr. Sandusky's bail so that he can visit with his grandchildren in his State College home, provided they are accompanied by a parent, and so that he may contact them by phone, email, text or Skype with a parent's permission.

Mr. Amendola also asked a judge to allow Mr. Sandusky to invite friends to his home and to leave his house with a member of his defense team while they work on his case.

McKean County Senior Judge John M. Cleland, who is presiding over the case, has scheduled a hearing for 10 a.m. Feb. 10.

Nils Frederiksen, spokesman for the attorney general's office, could not be reached for comment Friday evening.

Mr. Sandusky, 67, has repeatedly denied the charges he faces. His lawyers have until Wednesday to decide whether they would like the case to be heard by a jury from Centre County or elsewhere. A trial is expected in the summer or fall.