I hate to say it but I agree with you… allegedly 1 16 year old called and said that she was abused… what about the rights of everyone else that’s been displaced.

If chidren are in danger protect them … but if I called and said that I was begin abused… I wouldn’t expect them to arrest and remove everyone in my church

I am shocked and horrified!!! What is wrong with our country for even allowing this to go on? I know someone, in a powerful position knew of this. Shame on us for allowing these children to be raped and abused. Shame on us. This is not how the God I know allows children to be treated.

I am all for freedom of religion. But lets stop and think one moment here… what kind of religion allows for a 50 year old man to marry a 15 year old girl?
Maybe its just me but it looks as if this so called church is just a place for child pedifiles to hide and do their dasterdly deeds.
MHO this looks to me like a sex slave camp where young girls dont stand a chance of growing up with a normal life.

If a man wants plural wives, and the wives are consenting adults, I consider it none of my business. More power to them.
When old men treat minor children like sexual commodities, then I have a problem. These girls have no choice, no voice, and live only to serve the men. I have an issue with this sort of religious slavery. It smacks of selective breeding for a twisted philosophy.

The tenets of their faith (The FLDS) involves “marrying” off underage girls to older men. That’s not religion. That’s sexual abuse of a minor! They’re just wrapping up in a so called “Holy Book.”

I was disgusted with a British (?) guest’s commentary on Sat. afternoon (4/12/08) that “Texas ought to be ashamed of itself” for allowing the FLDS sect problem to exist in our locality. The CNN female anchor seemed to go along with that, adding that from the looks of the buildings, the group had obviously been there for a while.

I’ve lived in San Angelo, TX for the last 20 years. Blaming “Texas” for the situation was irresponsible and uninformed. The FLDS sect came from out-of-state and bought the land in November 2003, claiming to be an organization wanting to build an executive retreat facility. Construction began in 2004, according to a time line printed in the San Angelo Standard Times newspaper. I remember the outcry and concern when local media and community members became aware that the ranch was instead being used to house the large FLDS religious sect. However, without probable cause, there was little the authorities could do other than what they did, which was keep their eyes and ears open, waiting for a reason to go in.

From what I understand listening to other interviews of various people actually involved in the raid, Texas law enforcement worked effectively to somehow gain inside information about activities at the ranch. With the suspicious, closed off nature of sect members, this was not an easy thing to do and took quite a long time.

I’m guessing the inability of law enforcement to go into the ranch until a complaint came from a child living there had more to do with limitations imposed by our US constitution than the state’s lack of concern for those living there. Unfortunately, sometimes our Bill of Rights does more to protect criminals than children.

Jami,

Any way you slice it, polygamy is a crime. Like Flora Jessop said, you still have the Dakota’s where it is still practiced. In my opinion, the police had every right to do what they did. They had a call from a 16 year old - how could you call it persecution, when you and I can’t even marry at 16 year. Come on Jami. My parents would have freaked out, if I told them that I was marrying a 50 year old!! I am a Orthodox Christian and polygamy is illegal, that is why they are a secret sociaty. You can’t even call it a Christian religion - well you can’t even call it a Religion, it is a cult group. Warren got what he deserves. He needs to rot in prision for the rest of his natural life.

They young ladies will come around. They have been brainwashed about the outside world. Not to trust anyone. That’s the way they operate, be submissive to your husband! come on. I am also married and my husband and I work as one. I am not submissive to him. I am not forbidden to go out nor home school my kids.

I know what a crayon is. I don’t wear long dresses out of the 1800, my hair is not long and your hair and clothes are up to date. Your hair is short and so is mine. We both have the same color hair.

Well I just wanted to let you know what my opinion was about this. Again, it is not religious persecution. These abusive men need to be prosecuted to fullest extent of the law.

Susan Cipolla, Columbia, SC

It is shocking that after failing to identify the accuser after more than a week the state of Texas continues hold these children. This is beginning to look a hoax. Why should the girl be afraid to identify herself after being in custody for more than a week? She should feel safe now. The Sheriff says he had an informant for 4 years in the Flds compound. If this girl exists, the informant would be able to identify her. Lastly, lets add this up. This alleged victim is a 16 year old girl named Sarah with a 8 month baby, pregnant with another baby, and has had her ribs broken. From a list of four Sarahs, the CPS should be able to identify her if she exists. I have a growing suspicion of a hoax.be saafe

During the raid, there were “several” underaged pregnant girls rescued. Statutory rape is a crime that should be prosecuted and this group should be persecuted for it’s immoral ideals. That is, in this non-lawyer’s opinion.

Unless they can produce the alleged 16-yr-old caller, this is persecution. I’m of a suspicious nature, but I wonder if some activist isn’t behind this. It would sure boost book sales.

And the age-of-consent thing should be enforced across the board, if it’s enforced at all. Age difference ought not matter. If a girl is assumed by law to be “too young”, then that should apply to all partners.

This polygamy thing goes on all the time in our inner cities…one man, a whole passle of baby-mamas, and vice versa. I guess it’s the “religious” connotation that makes FLDS unacceptable.

Hold on just a moment.

I’m all for allowing the free practice of faith, but what happens when those tenets are illegal? Putting a religious facade on child and spousal abuse doesn’t make it any more acceptable, this isn’t a first amendment Free Exercise clause issue, this is a criminal issue.

This is not a religious issue. Child abuse is a crime and must be prosecuted, regardless of who is the offender.

These young women are being abused physically and emotionally. Thomas obviously does not understand the level of fear and mistrust they are dealing with in trying to determine this young woman’s identity. Her family in other FLDS areas are probably being threatened if she speaks. Remember that many women left with the children voluntarily. I’m sure some are looking to escape, but others are so blinded by their upbringing and devotion to their faith and husbands that they are basically spying for the cult. Also, I don’t know that the authorities haven’t identified Sarah. We don’t NEED to know that right now and her protection is paramount.

I’m usually a fan of yours, Jami, but in this instance, I have to disagree. Polygamy is against the law and turning a blind eye when dealing with consenting adults is one thing, but keeping a blindfold on out of fear of bad publicity is unconscionable when young girls are forced to marry and produce children. There is no “choice” when they are underage. That’s why we have statutory rape laws on the books. TX did the right thing. If only Utah and Arizona would find their cajones and join the party! South Dakota, too. Now, they’ve discovered a settlement in SW Colorado where they’re building a 7 Ft. tall privacy fence around the compound which bascially blocks their view of the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. You don’t do that unless you have something to hide.

It seems that they need to have proof. I think that Texas could be in trouble for taking children away that haven’t had anything happen to them. Keeping children away from their parents is not right and should not be done. Taking these children from their parents has nothing to do with abuse or neglect. Find the person that is being abused and protect them.

Plural marriage is illegal in this country…however, that has nothing to do with abuse with the children. Frankly, who cares how many wives these guys have if they are all consenting and of legal age.

I think separating the children from the mothers and not telling them that they will be separated is a fundamental violation of basic human rights. I find it sad that our government can take away our children. I would surely hate it if my wife and child were taken from me if my neighborhood had one person that called in a complaint…especially if they can’t find that person.

Something to think about… the more rights we give them the more rights we give up as a country.

Does anyone really think that the State of Texas wanted to open this can of worms? It seems to me they would do everything in their power to turn a blind eye and to avoid what they surely knew would be a horrible mess. I think it speaks volumes about how serious and widespread these accusations must be to force Texas to take these drastic measures.

Jamie -

For obvious reasons, I cannot identify myself. I am a former CPS worker. I love your program and watch all the time. I do have to tell you that your comments this morning show a lack of understanding about how CPS functions.

CPS reports are often anonymous or given under a false name. When receieved, CPS is required to act on that report or they can be held criminally negligent.

After receiving the report, an investigator goes to the residence, school, or law enforcement agency to investigate. If information is collected indicating that the claims have merit, the child is taken into custody for his/her protection. In this case, being unable to locate the specific child, undoubtedly other children were questioned and sufficient information obtained to warrant the action.

Unless you have worked, or currently work , within that system, you have no idea of the amount of work is generated by taking a child into custody. It is horrific. And please remember, these workers already have caseloads which keep them working far beyond their allotted 40 hous a week. They wouldn’t take on all that additional work on a whim.

Reglion plays no role in making a decision to take a child into custody. We, as a society, have make rules that the population is required to adhere to regardless of their religion. We do not allow muslims to stone adulterers or kill disobedient children. We do not allow anyone, regardless of religion, to have sexual relations with a minor - period.

Now, as a Christian, which these folks claim to be, I can state that the Bible instructs us to obey the laws of society. If indeed the claims of the unknown caller are correct, these folks broke the law.

As to the DNA testing, children cannot be released to just anyone. The must be released to a legal parent. Thus, either a biological or adoptive connection must be established. Further, should charges be sustained and children kept out of their parent’s custody, it is policy to search for a placement among relatives. CPS cannot do that without knowing who the legal parents are.

Thank you for all your good work and allowing me to enlighten you. By the way, most of the information is available in the Welfare and Institutions Codes.