UPDATE, 11:33 a.m. -- United States Chief District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill decided on Thursday that Diaz can extend his prison start date to February 6, 2017.
"The Court finds that the medical needs of a direct family member is good cause to grant the request," O'Neill said in the federal court order obtained by 23ABC News.
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Disgraced Bakersfield Police Detective Damacio Diaz has requested that he turn himself into prison at a later date than initially agreed upon, according to federal court documents obtained by 23ABC News.
Diaz, who was scheduled to begin his five-year prison sentence beginning December 5, requested an extension following a family emergency.
"Leopoldo Diaz his father underwent surgery on November 7, 2016 for an accident wherein he fell 20 feet from the rooftop," the court document, filed by attorney David Torres, said. "His father is currently in a wheelchair and is unable to get around without assistance. He is expected to be walking or in crutches by mid- January.
"In addition, extending the surrender date would allow Mr. Diaz ample time to resolve pertinent personal issues," the federal document went on to say.
As a result, Diaz has asked to extend his prison start date to February 6, 2017.
RELATED: Former BPD detective, Damacio Diaz sentenced to 5 years
Diaz is headed to prison after pleading guilty to several federal charges in connection with a Bakersfield Police drug scandal.
