Long litany of legal disputes begins in FLDS raid

Legal motions are being filed in several Texas courts challenging the decisions to put 465 people from the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch in state protective custody.

Meanwhile, Texas Child Protective Services officials conceded Tuesday that a young mother they initially believed was a minor is legally an adult.

"We received information — credible information — and we now believe this woman who was believed to be a minor in question, is in fact, an adult," Texas CPS spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said after a court hearing in San Angelo.

The mother will remain in state custody alongside her baby boy, who was born in San Marcos on April 29. A hearing on the issue has been continued until Friday. A spokesman for the FLDS Church said the woman in the case, identified as Pamela Jeffs, is 18.

A spokesman for the FLDS Church accused Texas authorities of disregarding legal documentation to keep the babies in custody.

"The state wanted to make sure that they got possession of those babies," said Rod Parker. "If they'd have let mom go, they are afraid the baby will get away from them."

On Monday, another young woman gave birth to a boy in Austin. Louisa Jessop's husband is challenging the decision to keep them in state custody, and a judge held off on ordering them moved to a new shelter in San Antonio. A hearing is scheduled in an Austin court on Thursday.

In the meantime, the child and his mother remain in foster care.

"The mother and 26 others are in the 'disputed minors' category, which applies to YFZ Ranch residents who CPS believes are minors, or who have provided different ages and other conflicting information to CPS at different times," Texas DFPS said in a statement posted on its Web site.

The FLDS insist that Jessop (who they say is 22) and other young women are adults. Texas CPS believes they are underage. The government agency said it is reviewing information about the women deemed "disputed minors."

"If CPS determines that any are adults, appropriate action will be taken," the agency said.

A massive series of hearings to determine the placement and status of all of the children in state protective custody is scheduled next week before five different judges in San Angelo.

Lawyers for a Fundamentalist LDS couple went to court Tuesday to get an emergency restraining order blocking Texas authorities from separating a mother from her child.

Joseph Steed Jessop Jr. turns 1 on Thursday and it is expected he will be separated from his mother, Lori.