2008 Woodie Awards
Texas officials maintain separating families from polygamist sect
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Nation
ELDORADO, Texas - State officials yesterday defended their decision to suddenly separate mothers from many of the children taken in a raid on a polygamist ranch in West Texas.
Texas Children's Protective Services spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said the separation was made Monday after they decided that children are more truthful in interviews about possible abuse if their parents are not around.
When state troopers and child welfare officials seized 416 children from the compound, 139 women accompanied them on their own and had been allowed to stay with the children until Monday, when they were driven back to the compound.
Only women with children under 5 could stay at the San Angelo Coliseum where they were being held.
Meisner said the decision was made after much discussion with experts.
"We believe their treatment at home if a parent wasn't present.
The mothers have complained the state deceived them, but Meisner said the situation was explained and, while there were tears, the operation went smoothly.
"I can tell you we believe the children who are victims of abuse or neglect, and particularly victims at the hands of their own parents, certainly are going to feel safer to tell their story when they don't have a parent there that's coaching them with how to respond," Meisner said.
Although Meisner called the decision typical in any case her agency works "every single day," she also ticked off a list of obstacles making the seizure of more than 400 children from a polygamist sect anything but typical.
Meisner said child welfare officials still can't find birth certificates for many of the children, making parentage and age determinations impossible. She said many of the children don't know who their parents are and many have the same last name but may or may not be related.
"It's a difficult process," she said.
Authorities raided the sect's ranch more than a week ago in response to allegations that underage girls were forced to marry older men.
Texas Children's Protective Services spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said the separation was made Monday after they decided that children are more truthful in interviews about possible abuse if their parents are not around.
When state troopers and child welfare officials seized 416 children from the compound, 139 women accompanied them on their own and had been allowed to stay with the children until Monday, when they were driven back to the compound.
Only women with children under 5 could stay at the San Angelo Coliseum where they were being held.
Meisner said the decision was made after much discussion with experts.
"We believe their treatment at home if a parent wasn't present.
The mothers have complained the state deceived them, but Meisner said the situation was explained and, while there were tears, the operation went smoothly.
"I can tell you we believe the children who are victims of abuse or neglect, and particularly victims at the hands of their own parents, certainly are going to feel safer to tell their story when they don't have a parent there that's coaching them with how to respond," Meisner said.
Although Meisner called the decision typical in any case her agency works "every single day," she also ticked off a list of obstacles making the seizure of more than 400 children from a polygamist sect anything but typical.
Meisner said child welfare officials still can't find birth certificates for many of the children, making parentage and age determinations impossible. She said many of the children don't know who their parents are and many have the same last name but may or may not be related.
"It's a difficult process," she said.
Authorities raided the sect's ranch more than a week ago in response to allegations that underage girls were forced to marry older men.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Christy
posted 4/16/08 @ 7:52 AM EST
I was feeling sorry for the women. But now I see them blatantly lying and covering up child rape. I believe they KNOW it is wrong. One news story said one of the girls is 14 and has had THREE children. (Continued…)
Post a Comment