From Deseret News archives:

Number of children in Texas custody rises — some young mothers are actually under 18

Published: Thursday, April 24, 2008 4:48 p.m. MDT
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"A whole bunch of Constitutional rights are being violated," Goodman said. She attempted to get into the coliseum to meet with her clients, but was turned away.

"I don't know any other (Child Protective Services) client that has been treated this way," she said. "It's kind of troubling."

Other attorneys for the children were equally outraged.

"I'm going to the courthouse," said Emmet Fleming, an attorney representing a little girl whom he said had medical issues.

CPS officials denied the allegations.

"That's not something we have the authority to say," said Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services. "It's a judge making decisions about where they go."

Van Deusen said the plans are to place more children into foster care facilities today.

Those children began leaving the coliseum early this morning. As one bus left, a group of FLDS mothers threw open the dark-tinted windows of the chartered bus and shouted "help." One held out a tiny cardboard sign that said, "SOS mothers separated Help."

Later in the morning, about 11:30 local time, three more buses left the coliseum grounds. One appeared to have children in it, alongside women — one of which waved at reporters as the bus drove past them.

Story continues below
A caravan of dozens of cars with shelter workers also left earlier in the morning.

A judge on Wednesday said she will not separate 18 adult mothers from their babies, opting instead to place them together in a local family shelter.

"The court would prefer these children not be separated from their mothers," said Judge Barbara Walther.

The judge's decision affects infants under 12 months old. Mothers whose children are older than 12 months will likely be placed in an emergency shelter nearby, so they can still see them and provide breast milk.

Some adult mothers will still be separated from their children — those with children over 2 years old.

Lawyers for Texas Child Protective Services updated the judge on their efforts to place the 437 children taken by the state into the foster care system. Approximately 111 children were bused to foster care facilities across Texas on Tuesday.

"All arrived safely at their destinations, are making adjustments and doing well so far," said Gary Banks, a lawyer for CPS.

Dozens of lawyers packed into Walther's tiny courtroom, some sitting on the floor just so they could listen in. A few FLDS members were also there.

One woman sat outside the courtroom on a bench, talking to an attorney. She appeared visibly upset.

Recent comments

Headline is probably right, but might not be. The discrepancy could...

Red | April 28, 2008 at 12:24 p.m.

Freddie,
Where was the Constitution when young girls were being told...

Jayson | April 27, 2008 at 10:15 p.m.

When a girl is asked how old she is and she responds, "16." Then her...

hey Freddie | April 27, 2008 at 6:39 p.m.

Image

FLDS mothers open the window of a bus and yell as Texas authorities remove the mothers from their children at the San Angelo Coliseum Thursday.

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