2008 Woodie Awards
Children seized in polygamist sect raid moved to larger shelter after mothers' complaints
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Nation
SAN ANGELO, Texas - State officials moved 416 children seized in a raid on a West Texas polygamist compound to a new shelter yesterday after some mothers complained to the governor about conditions that were making the children sick.
Rows of white buses filled with children who belong to the renegade Mormon sect that is believed to practice polygamy with underage girls were seen leaving historic Fort Concho, where they had been held since being taken from their ranch earlier this month.
Mothers of some of the children wrote to Gov. Rick Perry this weekend, saying the children were getting sick in the crowded conditions. The children were taken from the shelter earlier this month on suspicion that they were being physically and sexually abused by older members of polygamist group.
Marleigh Meisner, a spokeswoman for state Children's Protective Services, said Perry's office had been in touch with CPS and the children were being moved, but she declined to give further details.
Earlier yesterday, a court began laying the groundwork to sort out the custody arrangements for the hundreds of children seized from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. with nearly four dozen lawyers seeking to represent the children in attendance.
State District Judge Barbara Walther held the hearing to prepare for Thursday's expected marathon session, when the state will plea for permanent custody of the children.
Gary Banks, Children's Protective Services lawyer, told the judge the state believes "there is a systematic process at the ranch near Eldorado at which children were exploited and sexually abused."
The children were rounded up and placed in temporary custody in a raid that began April 3 after a domestic violence hot line recorded a complaint from a 16-year-old girl. She said she was physically and sexually abused by her 50-year-old husband.
Walther was clearly struggling with how to organize what is believed to be the largest child custody hearing in Texas history, and perhaps in the nation. Texas bar officials say more than 350 attorneys from across the state have volunteered to represent the children for free. Child welfare laws require each child in state custody to have an attorney.
Rows of white buses filled with children who belong to the renegade Mormon sect that is believed to practice polygamy with underage girls were seen leaving historic Fort Concho, where they had been held since being taken from their ranch earlier this month.
Mothers of some of the children wrote to Gov. Rick Perry this weekend, saying the children were getting sick in the crowded conditions. The children were taken from the shelter earlier this month on suspicion that they were being physically and sexually abused by older members of polygamist group.
Marleigh Meisner, a spokeswoman for state Children's Protective Services, said Perry's office had been in touch with CPS and the children were being moved, but she declined to give further details.
Earlier yesterday, a court began laying the groundwork to sort out the custody arrangements for the hundreds of children seized from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. with nearly four dozen lawyers seeking to represent the children in attendance.
State District Judge Barbara Walther held the hearing to prepare for Thursday's expected marathon session, when the state will plea for permanent custody of the children.
Gary Banks, Children's Protective Services lawyer, told the judge the state believes "there is a systematic process at the ranch near Eldorado at which children were exploited and sexually abused."
The children were rounded up and placed in temporary custody in a raid that began April 3 after a domestic violence hot line recorded a complaint from a 16-year-old girl. She said she was physically and sexually abused by her 50-year-old husband.
Walther was clearly struggling with how to organize what is believed to be the largest child custody hearing in Texas history, and perhaps in the nation. Texas bar officials say more than 350 attorneys from across the state have volunteered to represent the children for free. Child welfare laws require each child in state custody to have an attorney.
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Christy
posted 4/15/08 @ 3:17 AM EST
The polygamists don't want any Governmental influence. They are isolationists- except, oh yeah, they would like to get lots of welfare and child support, LOL. (Continued…)
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