Judge Orders Protection of ALL YFZ Children & DNA Testing

(This post is an on-going update to the "Abuse in America" story written Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2008. You can find the full 3-part story by clicking "Older Posts" at the bottom of this page.)

Late yesterday evening, Texas District Judge Barbara Walther ordered ALL 416 children to remain in state custody. She also ordered all children and parents to submit to DNA testing to insure correct paternity and maternity for the children in custody.

Although very sad to separate parents and children, in this case, Judge Walther absolutely made the right decision by keeping all of the children in state custody. This hearing was not about religious freedom or polygamy. This hearing was to decide the best interest and safety of children.

As was the case on Thursday, if you turned on your television yesterday, it would have been hard to miss all of the media coverage. During Friday's hearing, testimony included a psychiatrist specializing in children of cults, several of the FLDS mothers, an "expert" on the FLDS and a state investigator for Texas Child Protective Services.

Some of the highlights:
David Mattingly of CNN News reported, Dr. Bruce Perry testified the YFZ Ranch environment "is abusive. The culture is very authoritarian." Dr Perry stated some of the FLDS women had not deveolped the proper skills to make their own decisions. To illustrate this he testified he sat down to speak with one of the FLDS mothers and asked her if he could take her pulse? The FLDS mother was not able to answer because she did not know what the right answer was supposed to be. Concerning under-age girls having a choice about marriage, Dr. Perry said, "Choice is not really a choice because the consequences would be so bad if they went against the wishes of the elders or against the wishes of the prophet that this is not really a choice at all." NBC Nightly News reporter Pete Williams said Dr. Perry found the parents to be loving and supportive and raising delightful little kids, "but, children are taught never to question the importance of underage marriage which he[Perry] called abuse."

Several news sources (CNN, NBC, Headline News, MSNBC) reported the court heard testimony from Texas CPS Investigator Angie Voss revealing that as many as 20 girls gave birth or became pregnant while younger than the legal age, some as young as 13. Other information given by Texas CPS: 130 of 416 children in custody are 4-years-old or younger, 51 women returned to YFZ Ranch, 82 women remain with youngest children in custody, 6 women chose to go to a "safe" location. MSNBC reported Voss testified, "This is a population of women who appear to have a problem making a decision on their own."

Several news sources (CNN, NBC) reported testimony heard from four FLDS mothers. These mothers stated they would do whatever it takes to get their children back, including moving away from the YFZ Ranch. CNN reported one of the FLDS women to be unable to to define the word "abuse" during her testimony. One of these women also testified of knowing about a dozen women under 18 who at had been married at the compound.

W. John Walsh, an "expert" on the FLDS testified on behalf of the YFZ parents. CNN reported Walsh testified the idea of marrying young women with older men is not very common. MSNBC reported he testified the bed in the temple was "used for naps during the sect's long worship services," and "There is no sexual activity in the temple." NBC Nightly News reported Walsh testified that "underage marriage is rare and that the adult men are not all polygamists." Under cross-examination, Walsh conceded he had never been to the YFZ compound in Texas.

Also reported by many news sources (CNN, NBC, Headline News, MSNBC) was a rather strange story of a woman, Rozita Swinton. Swinton has been arrested and charged in Utah with making "false statements to police" for an alleged call made in February of this year. Swinton was interviewed by the Texas Rangers in regard to the calls for assistance made to a women's shelter in Texas subsequently resulting in the removal of the children from the YFZ Ranch.

A few more quotes:
"So, the Judge can rule those children aged 5 and under and those with special needs back to their parents and keep the others out. She has evidence to support that. If she decides to keep them all out, she has evidence to support that decision as well." - Attorney Tom Vick, Director of Texas Bar Assn, Election Center, CNN

"[Judge Walther] a very patient and take charge judge." - Campbell Brown, Election Center, CNN

"The boys prefer not to be called 'Lost Boys' because they associate that with not being able to connect with things in the community. So, what you're referring to, or the media refers to, as the 'Lost Boys' are boys that are exiled from the FLDS communities in Colorado City and Hildale." - Michelle Benward, Clinical Director & VP, New Frontiers for Families

"In all of these groups, there's just not enough women to go around. It's the secondary kids that are usually the ones that are ostracized. The challenge is to try and get these kids before they get on drugs or in the wrong environment." - John Llewellyn, author, Today Show, NBC.

"My step-dad told me I had to get my stuff out the house or be on the street. So, it wasn't exactly a choice." - Simon, a Lost Boy of FLDS, Today Show, NBC

"I mean, I have parents, but they just can't come. I mean I don't even know where they are. Basically abandoned me. Treated me like I didn't exist." - J. Williams, a Lost Boy of FLDS, Today Show, NBC

"They told me I was not welcome back. I really didn't have the resources to make it on my own." - Hyrum, a Lost Boy of FLDS, Today Show, NBC

The very best quote of the day:
"Women in this [FLDS] society are free to do what they're told." - Carolyn Jessop, author, Nancy Grace, Headline News

PLEASE DO NOT Be Misled: FLDS Women of YFZ Ranch

(This post is an on-going update to the "Abuse in America" story written Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2008. You can find the full 3-part story by clicking "Older Posts" at the bottom of this page.)

The biggest part of today's FLDS/YFZ Ranch saga is the hearing taking place in Texas to decide whether the 416 children removed from the YFZ Ranch should remain in the custody of the state, or be returned to their parents at the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX. During this hearing, an investigator for the State of Texas claimed Child Protective Services went into the YFZ Ranch to find a 16-year-old pregnant mother who had called a local shelter twice requesting assistance. The State is not sure whether or not they found this 16-year-old caller. What did CPS find at the YFZ Ranch? Five pregnant girls aged 13-16. This investigator also claimed 416 children were removed from the YFZ Ranch for their own protection.

Also during this hearing, an investigator stated, the girls at the YFZ Ranch were being raised to become sexual assault victims and the boys were being raised to become sexual assault predators. The State says it opposes returning any of the children to any of the parents because of what they call the "pervasive belief" that nothing wrong has been done.

One more factoid of the first day of court. The numbers of some of those involved in today's hearing: 416 children, 350 lawyers, 1 Judge. The sheer number of people involved in this case dictate it to be a monumental undertaking.

Although today's hearing was likely the most important development of this story, I think there was a much different "story" in today's media coverage of the YFZ Ranch saga. This story was everywhere. You really could not miss it, unless you missed television all day long.

If you turned on your television any time today, you very likely watched FLDS mothers at the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado TX pleading for the return of their children. Although separating mothers and children is indeed a very sad situation, do not be misled by what you see and hear from these FLDS women through our news media. For the same reasons their children are victims, they too are victims of the Warren Jeffs led Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (This sect is a fundamental offshoot of our present day Mormon Church, also known as the LDS or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Mormon Church has no association with the FLDS sect.)

The FLDS beliefs do not allow women to have any control. Their husbands, as their "priesthood head," have all of the control. Prior to the removal of their children, the FLDS have never allowed news media on their Texas compound. And, now, at the "invitation" of the FLDS women, news conferences seem to be a daily occurrence at the compound. I simply don't buy it. Without a doubt the FLDS men are controlling the situation by instructing and coaching their wives. I don't doubt these mothers miss their children, but I don't believe for a second any of this media coverage is of their own doing.

Today, I have seen single interviews, group interviews, interviews at the FLDS Ranch, and interviews in front of the courthouse. The differences in dress and hairstyle make these women strikingly different. These differences don't bother me. I'm sure lots of people don't like the way I dress or how my hair is done. What did bother me was the way these women talked. Each of them spoke in much the same manner, a somewhat high-pitched, monotone, calm voice. "I love my children." "My children love me." "My children need their mother." "It's not true." "I don't believe so." "I don't think I have."

On CNN's Larry King Live, Escape author Carolyn Jessop called this "modeling Warren" meaning they are trying to emulate their "prophet" and leader Warren Jeffs who is currently awaiting trial in Arizona as accessory to rape for arranging and sanctioning the marriage of a minor girl. He was convicted and is serving time in Utah for this same type crime.

I found it very, very curious none of the FLDS husbands/fathers could be found on any television channel, or Internet website giving interviews today, or pleading for the return of their children. Many of the news reporters and commentators asked the question, "Where are the fathers?" They discussed it among themselves and they put forth the question to the FLDS women. When asked, none of the FLDS ladies would discuss their husbands. "This is not about my husband. It's about me and my children." "My children need their mother." "I love my children."

If you only saw one interview with one, or a couple of these women, the similarities might not be so apparent. I watched different women being interviewed on CNN, NBC (yes, I'm still watching) and TruTV. And, many, many of them used almost the same words and phrases. The words "coached" and "rehearsed" came to mind in the same monotone voice, over and over and over again.

On CNN's Larry King Live, one of the FLDS women gave a tour of her family home. During this tour, three things really got my attention. The first and most important item was the the very large family living room. The decor of this room consisted of a piano, a couple of small portraits on the wall, including one of Warren Jeffs, and many auditorium style chairs aligned in rows facing one Lazy Boy-style recliner. Next to the recliner, a lamp sat on top of an end table. This scene truly depicts the roles of the husband and the women and children living in this home. Hubby, "Priesthood Head," and autocratic ruler of the family sits in the recliner. The women and children of this man's family are resigned to the auditorium style chairs.

The next thing catching my attention was the lack of toys. I didn't see any. Not one. We toured children's bedrooms, porches, closets, even the grassy yard. I did not see a stuffed animal, a board game, a toy car, truck or dump truck, or a swing set, bicycle or tricycle in the yard. This compound is home to 416 children but, there are no children's playthings anywhere in sight.

The third and last thing catching my attention, the FLDS mother giving the tour talked about missing and loving her 7-year-old daughter. She showed us where she and her daughter slept, her daughter's clothes in a closet and where the children left their shoes in a shoe case on the porch. During all this time, I did not see her shed a tear, or even seem to lose her composure. But, while this FLDS woman was on her back porch, overlooking her large toy-less and swing set-less grassy yard, she looked toward the huge, gleaming, white temple and said, "And that is our temple, which they desecrated." Then she hung her head and sobbed. Was she more heartbroken because an outsider entered this temple than she was for not having her children with her?

Some other thoughts and quotes from today's media coverage:

FLDS sect members are taught from early childhood that everything outside of the FLDS world is "evil." They do not recruit new members because they believe they are the "chosen" bloodline. They do not let outsiders inside of their cult. They have never embraced the local, state or federal government. With the exception of the time the FLDS ran the law enforcement of Hildale, UT and Colorado City, AZ, for the most part, they don't acknowledge any kind of government authority. They call it "Man's Law" as opposed to "God's Law." Another term, "Bleeding the Beast," was coined by the FLDS to mean receiving government assistance as in welfare, food stamps or WIC. I really even hate to bring up this "Bleeding the Beast" reference. But, because of something one of the FLDS women said today in a television interview, I feel I have to. I couldn't believe what I heard. I even wondered if part of this wasn't a veiled threat of sorts.

"I am totally shocked that the American public has allowed this. The United States would stoop to this. We have been peaceful through all of this. And, you take any society on the face of the Earth, for that matter, and there would be so many dead by now. So much bloodshed. We have been peaceful. Now where is the American public to defend us." FLDS sect female, Jami Floyd's Best Defense, TruTV

As is common practice in most child abuse cases, children believed to have been abused are separated from their abusers to allow them space to speak openly to authorities. This morning on TruTV's Banfield and Ford, former FLDS member turned FLDS child protection advocate, Flora Jessup said while the mothers and children were together in the shelter, the FLDS mothers created confusion for investigators on a daily basis. One day, a woman would say her name was Ruth and present her children. The next day, the same woman would say her name was Janet and present different children. Jessup also stated the children are not taught who their biological mother is, but rather that all of the sister-wives are their mothers. Younger children could not distinguish who was or who was not their biological mother.

And, there are some really idiotic statements being made by talking heads who obviously don't understand the history or workings of the FLDS.

"The American public is slowly but surely coming around to the defense of this polygamist group. Now, I don't support what they're doing - and no one wants to see the abuse of children - but the behavior of the government here, as far as I'm concerned, is beginning to get very ugly." Alex Sanchez, Jami Floyd's Best Defense, TruTV

And, my award for the best quote of the day because this guy really "gets" this situation.

"It makes you sad that she wants her child, but the bottom line is we have to make sure our kids are safe." Dr. Charles Sophy, Medical Director, LA County DCFS, Larry King Live, CNN

Irritated with Most Recent NBC News Coverage of YFZ Ranch

If you have been following this blog, then you know I post links from msn.com here frequently. My homepage is msn.com. I read a lot of my news at this website. And, admittedly, maybe I have a bit of tunnel vision because the news coverage I watch most frequently on television is on NBC. Most mornings, I watch the local news on my local NBC affiliate, KCRA, and I watch the Today Show on NBC. Most evenings, I watch KCRA and the NBC Nightly News. NBC news and msn.com cover many of the same stories. (You may have heard of MSNBC.) I am so aggravated with NBC News and msn.com because of their most recent coverage of the YFZ Ranch, I may have to change my home page and find a new television news station.

Early this morning, the Today Show covered the plight of the women who have now returned to the YFZ Ranch, without their children. My first question when I saw this news video coverage was, news media have been allowed into the YFZ Ranch? Well this is surely a first, I thought. But there they were, the forlorned mothers of the children taken into custody by Texas Child Protection Services. Crying mothers wanting only to have their children back and telling the story of how they were deceived into returning to the compound without their children.

The next video of this story was a statement by one of the attorneys for the YFZ Ranch (FLDS), "Just because there is a logistical issue doesn't mean you can violate the Constitutional rights of parents and children." I stared at the television in disbelief. Once I came back to my senses, I grabbed the TiVo remote and hit rewind so I could watch this story again. Maybe, just maybe, I had not heard correctly. Unfortunately, I heard it right.

Why in the world would news media broadcast this story? An attorney talking about Constitutional rights for members of a religious group which denies all Constitutional rights to women and children.

Tonight, NBC Nightly News carried the same video of the crying, forlorn women. But instead of the attorney statement, at least the NBC Nightly News carried a consultant who backed the State of Texas and the practice of separating children from parents in cases where abuse is suspected.

I went to msn.com, and found the same exact videos broadcast on the Today Show and NBC Nightly News. These videos are the accompanying stories to an NBC News correspondent who has been following and blogging about the most recent developments at the YFZ Ranch. Yesterday, he and a dozen other news reporters received a phone call from a man, the "spokesman for the family," stating they're back and they want to talk as soon as you can get here. Of course, the reporter dropped everything to get to the YFZ Ranch.

I quote from this NBC correspondent's blog, concerning the interviews with these FLDS women. "They all had similar stories (so similar that some reporters suggested they were pre-rehearsed)."

That quote was decidedly absent from both of the news reports I saw on NBC today.

Here's what I did:

Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:30 PM
To: 'Nightly@NBC.com'
Subject: YFZ Ranch

I, for the life of me, cannot understand why NBC Nightly News & this morning's Today show are carrying the story concerning the plight of the mother's from the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX.

One night you are covering the rape and abuse of children at a compound where news reporters HAVE NEVER been allowed, and the next you're having a news conference there. Do you not think this media invitation was staged by those living at the compound?

None of those FLDS men living at this compound were anywhere in sight. Those husbands, according to the FLDS beliefs, control everything, including the salvation, eternal damnation or even the eternal servitude of the women speaking in your video. Not one of those women would have spoken to any media without their husband's planning & staging. And, the women surely did not set up a news conference and invite news media into this compound on their own.

This morning on Today, I watched the attorney for the YFZ Ranch say, "Just because there is a logistical issue doesn't mean you can violate the Constitutional rights of parents and children." FLDS women and children living at the YFZ Ranch have no Constitutional rights.

The Nightly News did a better job with the consultant stating the best interest of the children and separating parents and children is the right approach in cases of child abuse.

Since you can't interview the children because they are minors, here's a couple of story ideas for your news programs:

Find those women who did not return to the YFZ Ranch and chose to go to the women's shelter, interview them and put their stories on your news programs. I really bet they have quite a story to tell. A much better story than a staged news conference at the YFZ Ranch.

And by the way, when arrest warrants are issued in the State of Texas. Those FLDS men indicted will no longer be in Texas.

If the children in this story are more important than the sensationalism of news media, quit giving staged air time to this group who would have never given you the time of day, or an interview, 2 weeks ago.

I have been a big fan of all NBC news programming for years, but this time, you really dropped the ball.

Sincerely,

Reluctantly, here is the link to all of this info on MSN: http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/04/15/892513.aspx?GT1=43001

Update on FLDS YFZ Situation in Eldorado

(This is a continuing update to the 3-part "Abuse In America" story posted below.)

Today's reports are stating all 416 children have now been removed from the FLDS YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX. This report states 136 women left on their own. Earlier reports stated these women were leaving to accompany their children. The FLDS men are still being held by authorities while the search of many areas, including the temple, continues. Two men have been arrested. A 41-year-old was arrested for tampering with evidence. And the earliear arrest of a 19-year-old for interfering with the investigation and search.

Here's the link to the latest MSNBC Story with several video links (posted about 8:30AM EST, Wednesday, April 9): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24014376/?GT1=43001

My thoughts on the latest update:
Let's hope all of the children at this compound have been or will be found and removed to a safe place.

I guess since the number of children removed has continued to increase daily, FLDS leadership was really not as cooperative as stated in the first reports. Appears to me all of the FLDS men had to be held by authorities in order for a true search to take place.

Of the 136 women, how many will return to the compound? A common argument would be to say if they don't return to the compound it is because they loved their children and stayed with them. Although this argument may be true, please understand the FLDS women are taught from early childhood they can only receive eternal salvation through their husband. They also believe their husband, as their priesthood head, can also damn them for all eternity, or sentence them to spend eternity as a servant to their husband's family. All of this may sound pretty unbelievable, but, when this is all you know and all you have believed in for your entire life, your options to not return to your husband are pretty slim. Some will go back to the compound, with or without their children.

Like Escape author Carolyn Jessop, when FLDS wives realize their current lives are already very dire and hell could not be any worse, they will decide not to return. The problem with the YFZ Ranch is no way to for these women to escape. This "raid" may be their only chance to get away from this sect. And, even if they choose not to go back, they will be likely be hunted by their spouses. The extent of this hunt will depend on the how powerful their husbands are within yhe FLDS leadership. Some will go back with or without their children.

Warren Jeffs excommunicated many of the FLDS Barlow men likely because they were a threat to overthrow his leadership. Once he banned the men, he gave their wives and children to other FLDS men still in his favor. The name of one of the two men arrested, 19-year-old Levi Barlow Jeffs, just begs a question. Is this one of the Barlow children given with his mother and siblings to one of Warren Jeffs' brothers?

Again I must state, I value our Constitutional right to religious freedom. This right to religious freedom cannot be used to deny one's civil rights. And, surely our right to religious freedom cannot be used to abuse children, sexually molest underage girls or to physically and emotionally abuse women.

FLDS YFZ Ranch: The Saga Continues

KUDOS TO THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR HAVING THE GUTS TO FIND AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT CHILDREN (& WOMEN)!!!!!

The slogan "Don't mess with Texas" is absolutely true!

My local news just carried a story stating more than 500 women and children have been removed from the FLDS YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX. And, NBC just carried this story as the lead story on their West Coast Nightly News. If you have been following this story, you will realize the numbers have jumped up by more then 200 people within the past 24 hours so I had to go find out...

Less than an hour ago, MSNBC reported 534 women and children (more than 400 children) have been removed from the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX. One FLDS man was arrested for interfering with the authorities. All of the men in the compound are being held while authorities conduct a building-to-building search of the compound.

Here's the link for the MSNBC story (posted about 7:30PM EST, Monday, April 7), this link also includes a couple of options to see video reports: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23993440

Here's my take . . .
Earlier reports said all of the children had been removed from the compound. Obviously with these most recent numbers, all of the children were not removed in the initial couple of days. Since additional minors have now been removed, someone must have been hiding these children from authorities. One man arrested for interfering and all of the men being held while the compound is searched tells me that maybe the FLDS followers were not being as cooperative as was previously reported and now the authorities are searching without the assistance/cooperation of the FLDS men in the compound.

Maybe I am way off track here. Somehow I kind of doubt it though. And, I would just love to think the FLDS man arrested today for interfering was none other than Merril Jessop, but I guess we will have to wait and see.

I am elated to find out this situation is being setttled peacefully. I am elated women were given the option to leave with their children. Separating children and mothers at this stage could have been disastrous and was likely one of the problems the State of Arizona created for itself during the 1959 raid of Short Creek. Those of age and able to make their own decisions can go back once the dust settles. I anxiously await numbers of how many decide not to go back. The longer they have access to the outside, the better able they will be to make their own decisions. The Texas authorities have have done a fine job so far.

I realize removing more than 500 women and children presents a basic need burden for the State of Texas. I also realize most of the women and children have little, if any education and have been taught from birth, everything outside of the FLDS is evil. I know there are many, many obstacles left to overcome for them. They could not leave the FLDS Ranch. For many, this is the first time they have been off of that property for four years. Their basic civil rights have been denied. At least now, even for a short period of time, the women can make their own decision, something they have never been allowed to do.

Update on FLDS YFZ Situation in Eldorado

About 15 minutes ago, MSNBC reported as many as 200 people, including more than 137 children, have been removed from the FLDS YFZ Ranch compound in Eldorado but have not located the 16-year-old girl who called authorites for assistance. After some resistance, authorities have been granted access to the FLDS Temple. It may be possible Child Protective Services have already removed the girl from the compound but are unaware of who she is. One local television reported four CPS workers are inside the compound going door to door looking for any additional children.

Click here for the complete MSNB story (posted about 10:40AM EST, Sunday, April 6): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23958307

Click here for the CNN story (posted about 5:42 PM EST, Saturday, April 5): http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/04/texas.ranch/index.html

Further Update on Situation at YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX

About an hour ago, MSN reported 183 women and children have now been removed from the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX. The 16-year-old girl who called authorities requesting help and her 8-month-old baby have not been found. Authorities have been denied access to the sect temple. They are now demanding access to search for the girl and her baby. A stand-off situation is developing.

Here's the link to the MSN story, posted about an hour ago (11PM EST, Saturday, April 5): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23958307

FYI - Merril Jessop, ex-husband of "Escape" author Carolyn Jessop, is the FLDS leader in charge at the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado.

As I have previously written here (see 3-part "Abuse in America" story below), this is an extremely volatile, explosive situation brought on in part because law-enforcement in Utah and Arizona looked the other way for many years. When law enforcement in these states finally started enforcing the law and investigating the abuses, a majority of the sect (those in the favor of imprisoned, self-proclaimed prophet and sect leader Warren Jeffs) moved to the YFZ Ranch.

Although the FLDS was founded in fundamental Mormon principles, this sect has developed into a cult with an egomaniacal leader who utilizes physical abuse, scare tactics and isolation to control his followers.

It is not for me to judge whether polygamy is right or wrong. I actually see some social advantages to built-in baby-sitters, multiple incomes, always having best friends close-by and the fact that a wife does not have to sleep with her husband every night. Polygamy is not the issue.

In America, we value our right to religious freedom. The right to religious freedom does not include the denial of civil rights, sexual molestation of girls by pedophiliac old men, or the physical and emotional abuse of women and adolescent boys.

Please pray the girl and her child are found safe. Pray for the safety of all of those involved. Pray this situation is resolved peacefully.

One More Reference on the FLDS

Since the first of the year, I have been following several websites posting information on the FLDS.

After the yesterday's events at the YFZ Ranch, one particular site is getting a lot of traffic and many comments from those both inside and outside of the FLDS.

This blog's latest post starts with a comment late Thursday night stating police are everywhere around the YFZ Ranch in Texas.

Here's the link: http://www.texaspolygamy.blogspot.com/

Update: FLDS Children Removed from YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX

(This is an update to the 3-part "Abuse in America" story. You can read the entire "Abuse in America" by scrolling down.)

Breaking news today tells of 52 children being removed from the FLDS YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX. Many, many news agencies are reporting Child Protective Services placed these children aged from 6 months to 17 years into protective custody after a call for help from a girl at the YFZ Ranch. Some agencies are reporting some of these girls are pregnant. Some agencies are also reporting some of the girls in protective custody may be the mothers to younger children also removed from the ranch.

Because of the FLDS presence in Texas, the legal age a female can marry is now 16-years-old. Even a parent's consent cannot allow a female under age 16 to marry. Apparently a girl who turned 16 in January has an 8-month-old child. An arrest warrant has been issued for the child predator likely her husband.

Although the underlying issue of abuse will never be acceptable, the coverage of the story is good news. More people are watching both the FLDS and the State of Texas. I pray these children are handled with care and CPS understands the specific circumstances of their lives. If evidence exists to show any laws have been broken, Texas should prosecute the offenders as they would anyone else. Religious freedom does not include the right to sexually molest under-age girls.

Here are a couple of links to this story:
CNN News: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/04/texas.ranch/index.html?eref=edition

The Eldorado Success: http://www.myeldorado.net/

KSL (Salt Lake City) Television (includes video): http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=3004779

Go San Angelo: http://gosanangelo.com/news/2008/apr/04/eldorado0404/