25 mothers taken from FLDS ranch now believed to be minors

Associated Press
Published: Thursday, April 24, 2008 3:46 p.m. MDT
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SAN ANGELO, Texas — The number of children in Texas custody after being taken from a polygamist retreat now stands at 462 because officials believe another 25 mothers from the compound are under 18.

Child Protective Services spokesman Darrell Azar says the girls initially claimed to be adults but are now in state custody. Earlier they had been staying voluntarily with their children at a shelter at the San Angelo Coliseum.

The official number of children taken from the ranch controlled by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been rising since a state raid three weeks ago. One reason is that some mothers under 18 claimed to be adults.

Roughly 260 children remain at the coliseum. The others were bused to foster facilities.

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Recent comments

Would not at all be surprised if those mothers previously claiming...

Gary | April 26, 2008 at 8:51 p.m.

I live East of the Mississippi ... and have no affiliation with any...

Gary | April 26, 2008 at 8:47 p.m.

I think the FLDS believes US citizens will be outraged by what CPS...

Anonymous | April 24, 2008 at 4:59 p.m.