Asked if these mothers have been told what may happen to their children and what legal steps were being taken, Meisner would only say, "We're in the process of speaking with the mothers and children."

More than 700 state workers from throughout Texas have been sent to San Angelo to assist with this monumental operation.

Two men from the ranch have been arrested for interfering with the search efforts.

Leroy Johnson Steed, 41, remains in the Schleicher County Jail on suspicion of tampering with physical evidence, a third-degree felony. He was booked Monday night. Levi Barlow Jeffs, 19, was booked into the jail Sunday for investigation of interfering with the duties of a public servant, a class B misdemeanor. He was released on bond Monday.

FLDS Church leader Merrill Jessop, who oversees the ranch, spoke to a reporter Tuesday about the raid. He told the Salt Lake Tribune his ability to communicate with family members taken from the ranch was rapidly diminishing as police confiscated cell phones.

Jessop said that those at the ranch have no Internet or television access and have no way to know what has become of the women and children taken from the ranch.

"There needs to be a public outcry that goes far and wide," he said. "What's coming we don't know. The hauling off of women and children matches anything in Russia or Germany."

Additional court papers filed Tuesday identified at least partial information on 330 of the children. The papers granted Texas temporary custody of each child, ordered parents to provide information such as health insurance, income tax returns, current pay stubs, parentage information, medical histories, etc. The order also authorizes authorities to order each parent to attend counseling sessions, submit to psychological examinations, attend parenting classes, submit to drug and alcohol assessments, and other requirements.

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E-mail: bwest@desnews.com