Texas Appeal Says FLDS Families Are Flight Risks

PlusTexas Appeal Says FLDS Families Are Flight RisksTexas Appeal Says FLDS Families Are Flight RisksThe Associated PressChild welfare authorities are warning that members of a polygamist sect could flee Texas jurisdiction now that a court has found the state's removal of their children was improper. The AP's John Mone reports from San Angelo, TX. (May 28)San Angelo, TX--Polygamist RetreatSUGGESTED CAPTION: Child welfare authorities are warning that members of a polygamist sect could flee Texas jurisdiction now that a court has found the state's removal of their children was improper. The AP's John Mone is in San Angelo, TX where on going child custody hearings have been put on hold until the state's supreme court rules if the lower court decision was proper. ***STAND UP***SUPER: JOHN MONE//ASSOCIATED PRESS" THE FATE OF AROUND 440 CHILDREN FROM A WEST TEXAS POLYGAMIST SECT LIES IN THE HANDS OF THE STATE'S SUPREME COURT. THE REASON--AN APPEALS COURT FOUND THE REMOVAL OF THE KIDS FROM THE GROUP'S COMPOUND TO BE IMPROPER AND THE CHILD WELFARE AUTHORITIES ARE FIGHTING THAT DECISION. " [[VO: COVER WITH FILE VIDEO]] [[TRACK]]IF THE HIGH COURT AFFIRMS THE RECENT RULING THAT MEANS THE CHILDREN WILL LIKELY GO HOME TO THEIR PARENTS. THE TEXAS CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES IS WARNING THAT MEMBERS OF THE SECT COULD FLEE THE LONE STAR STATE..IF THAT HAPPENS. A REJECTION MEANS THE STATE WILL KEEP THE CHILDREN. THE KIDS ARE NOW SCATTERED ABOUT FOSTER HOMES ACROSS TEXAS.IN APRIL...AUTHORITIES TOOK THE KIDS INTO CUSTODY FROM THE YEARNING FOR ZION RANCH IN ELDORADO, TX. THE LAND BELONGS TO A RENEGADE MORMON POLYGAMIST GROUP CALLED THE FUNDAMENTALIST CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER SAINTS. IT BROKE AWAY FROM THE MORMON CHURCH MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO...WHICH RENOUNCED POLYGAMY. THE STATE RAIDED THE YFZ RANCH BASED ON A PHONE CALL, PURPORTEDLY FROM A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL LIVING ON THE COMPOUND. SHE CLAIMED HER MIDDLE AGED HUSBAND BEAT AND ABUSED HER. THE GIRL HAS NEVER BEEN FOUND AND INVESTIGATORS ARE SEEING IF THE CALL WAS A HOAX. BUT THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE SAYS DESPITE THE NOW DUBIOUS TIP, IT FOUND EVIDENCE GROWN MEN WERE MARRYING AND IMPREGNATING UNDERAGE GIRLS. AUTHORITIES ARE EXPECT THE FIRST RESULTS FROM DNA TESTING TO ARRIVE SOON. THE STATE WANTS TO MAP OUT THE COMPLICATED FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN ON THE RANCH. INVESTIGATORS CLAIM THE F-L-D-S DIDN'T PROVIDE ADEQUATE INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILIES. MEMBERS OF THE SECT, CLAIM THEY'RE BEING PERSECUTED FOR THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, INCLUDING THAT POLYGAMY BRINGS GLORIFICATION IN HEAVEN. [[RETURN TO STAND UP SHOT]] [[SUPER: JOHN MONE//THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]]"THE HIGH COURT HAS ALSO ASKED THE STATE TO PROVIDE MORE PROOF ON WHY THE APPELLATE DECISION SHOULD BE OVERTURNED. IT ALSO WANTS LAWYERS WHO REPRESENT SOME OF THE F-L-D-S MOTHERS TO FURTHER ARGUE WHY THE CHILDREN OF THE YFZ RANCH SHOULD BE RETURNED. JOHN MONE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, SAN ANGELO, TEXAS. " ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE: JOHN MONE-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: MONE/WALDON (washington) ------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: aptn --------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: DONNA STARDDARD ------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS:----------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE:------------------------------------

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• tx
• -polygamist
• retreat
• texas
• appeal
• says
• flds
• families
• flight
• risks

[imikewillrockyou]

Flight risk? They haven't committed any crimes. Why doesn't the state just apologize and LEAVE THOSE PEOPLE ALONE! All the "conditional" crap is just the state trying to save face. As if they had some right to assault these people in the first place. They can't just admit the kidnapped over 400 children based on a prank phone call.

[Automedon2]

They are not "fleeing". If they leave Texas it is to avoid persecution, and as free Americans they have every right to live where and how they choose.

The conspiracy theorists are looking more realistic every day.

[Alice4568]

@imikewillrockyou Actually, polygamy is illegal in the States as well as Canada. Which is strange considering that 80% of the world practices polygamy.

[imikewillrockyou]

@mordinvan I agree, but remember they rounded up all these children on the basis of a prank phone call. These children were well taken care of, and their mothers were with them. Heck they all knew who their fathers were too, and he was very much part of their lives. I would say they are far better off than the average inner city child. So again, I don't agree with their religion or polygamy AT ALL. But if they are not breaking any laws these people should not be molested by the state.

[mordinvan]

@imikewillrockyou

my largest concern is ensuring children are not being abused. Consenting adults can do whatever the hell they want behind closed doors, and I don't really care.

[imikewillrockyou]

@mordinvan I don't agree with this religion nor do I endorse this lifestyle. But they are practicing their religion and NOT breaking any laws. No statutory rape charges were made. And you can sleep with as many people you want in this crazy mixed up world. And you can call yourself married if you like as well. It's just the state cannot recognize such marriages. My suggestion. Have the state pass a law raising the age of consent to 18. I would be OK with that. It's long overdue.

[Teenagefreedomfightr]

I don't think polygamy in and of itself is necessarily something to be frowned upon or considered bad. However, the abusing, brainwashing and lack of freedom forced upon children born into certain radical cults and religions is well known.

Statutory rape of this sort (I don't care what a 16 year old and an 18 year old do in their Volvo) is not funny, or just another form of relationship. Almost always it is the result of grooming, sometime lifelong brainwashing.

Let the facts come out.

[mordinvan]

@imikewillrockyou

Statutory rape and polygamy are both illegal. Hence crimes HAVE been committed.

[jannikmt]

@imikewillrockyou why should we convit murders? are you REALY guna put somone in jail for somthing that no cop saw?

[strapen2good]

Hitler went after them radical Jews first. I think that ALL 600 children and infants taken from their [f-Mormon] families in Texas was similar. The Hitlers of the world are cowards, they go for the easy targets first, till they get enough resources then go after your "clan".

[superpencil007]

THis is old, all but one or two have been returned, CPS Criminals the social worker

Kidnappers should be hunted down, arrested,

stripped of their families children, tried,

convicted of kidnapping, and, sentenced to

LIFE in Prison solidary. Let Justice RULE... finally.

[MetalJacket01]

An angry mean-spirited atheist against Muslims and Christians.