From Deseret News archives:
Texas investigation into FLDS child abuse nears an end
Letters declaring if a finding of abuse has been made or not are being sent to FLDS parents and, in some cases, alleged abuse perpetrators, Child Protective Services officials confirmed Thursday.
"There are findings in the case because letters have gone out," CPS spokesman Patrick Crimmins told the Deseret News. "But we're not prepared at this point to say that the investigation is complete. There still is work that has to be done."
The letters detail whether the agency has reason to believe, unable to determine or have ruled out abuse. Crimmins could not say how many letters have gone out. An FLDS Church spokesman said families had received "lots of them."
"How do you react to it?" Willie Jessop said Thursday. "They decided to cookie-cutter everybody up, and it depends on which caseworker you get. It's not based on facts."
The findings, including details of how many children may have actually been abused, may not be released because they are confidential by law in Texas, Crimmins said.
If there is a finding of abuse, it does not necessarily mean a criminal action or a re-removal of any children. Instead, it is entered into a database that is used when someone applies to work or volunteer in a child care-related field. If CPS is called to investigate another case of child abuse, the information is used in future cases. Families who are the subject of an abuse finding can appeal.
As of Thursday, there were 72 children still involved in pending lawsuits that were filed when the children were removed from the YFZ Ranch back in April.
"It's a huge relief," Jessop said. "But the relief isn't truly there until everyone's returned and everyone can come home. You still have families torn apart. They're saying, 'This child's nonsuited but we're keeping this one.'"
A total of 393 people have now been "nonsuited" in a San Angelo, Texas, court. The Deseret News' tally includes 26 so-called "disputed minors," FLDS women CPS initially believed were underage but later nonsuited when they were determined to be adults.
"There could be more nonsuits," Crimmins said Thursday.
Nonsuiting drops the child from court oversight, but does not necessarily end the child welfare investigation. The reasons vary from no abuse, to a parent taking appropriate steps to protect their children.
Recent comments
Reality check has been posting on this same news story for months....
Rico | Nov. 1, 2008 at 12:17 p.m.
Um, no they don't. Perhaps if you lived in the real world instead of...
realitycheck | Oct. 30, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.
Realitycheck, what the heck is so offensive to you about not watching...
R | Oct. 26, 2008 at 5:40 a.m.
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
869 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - Max Hall issues apology
145 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
68 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...
None of these teams is going to be easy. They all have fine football...
Max, no apology was necessary, but the apology was polically correct. If...
Very good piece of writing, Amy. You summarized what many of us have been...
How is a top 25 finish make Utah a top twenty team? I think what the poster...
90% of the BYU & Utah fans have class, and Hall knows it. If you don't...
This might be my favorite article I've ever read from the Deseret News. Kudos.
Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister...
Dr. Lois Lee's work with children who are victims of child sexual...
Look at the preview for Pixar's "Up". The whole move is summarized in...


