"Texas has succeeded in creating an environment for more isolation, which has the potential in any community to set up an environment for abuse," Kelsch said.

Wexler said the public should keep in mind that the Texas CPS workers have placed the children in an isolated compound, in absolute secrecy, at risk of abuse and barred from contact with the outside world.

"That's what CPS said they were protecting the children from in the first place," he said.

Marleigh Meisner, a spokeswoman with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, has previously said the state taking custody of the 437 children boils down to one thing — abuse.

"We've said all along there are no winners in this situation. ... We empathize in particular with the mothers. But this case is not about religion. This is about keeping children safe. We believe what we found is systemic abuse of children."

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