Dozens attend Jessop's Texas book-signing

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Several people waiting in line at Carolyn Jessop's book-signing Tuesday night described her story the same way: brave.

At least 130 people turned out at Hastings in San Angelo to see Jessop, author of "Escape," and share a word or two with her. The book is her memoir of life in a polygamist marriage in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and how she broke away with her eight children.

Jessop's former husband, Merril Jessop, is the leader of the FLDS group at the Yearning for Zion Ranch near Eldorado that authorities raided in April. More than 400 children were temporarily taken into state custody.

"I think there's quite a bit of interest here," Carolyn Jessop said recently.

Willie Jessop, a sect member who is a spokesman for the FLDS, said Tuesday that he has not read Carolyn Jessop's book. He said more families continue to return to the YFZ Ranch to resume their way of life, and he is grateful for that.

Of the book signing, Willie Jessop said: "I'm disappointed she would exploit such a tragic situation and use it for her own personal gain."

At the book signing, Callie Albus of San Angelo said she kept up with the news during the YFZ raid, but that Carolyn Jessop's book gives details about the FLDS that weren't on the news.

Cynthia Chavez of San Angelo just received Jessop's book as a gift and brought it with her to the signing. She received a bachelor's degree in psychology, partially because she enjoyed studying about radical religions.

"I plan to spend most of tonight reading it," Chavez said.

K. Dee Ignatin traveled from Dallas to be at the book signing. Ignatin is looking for volunteers to help her put together a petition to create Texas legislation that would allow polygamous wives to maintain full custody of their children if they choose to leave the FLDS.

"We can't let it happen to Texas women and children," she said of families being torn apart if a woman decides to leave the group. Carolyn Jessop said she thinks some good did come out of the raid because it created awareness of what was going on among the FLDS.

"When it first happened," Carolyn Jessop said of the raid, "I was shocked, alarmed, concerned. But hopeful. It was difficult for me because the kids went back."

She said she thinks some of the tendencies of the group — banning the color red, removing televisions, radios and books and slaughtering animals in front of children — have slowed down since FLDS leader Warren Jeffs was sent to prison. But she is still concerned that things may get worse. If men are having sex with underage girls, Jessop said, she thinks oppression will only escalate.

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