SAN ANGELO, Texas — Texas child protection officials defended the removal of 416 children from the polygamist YFZ Ranch and said they were hopeful a judge on Thursday will continue to keep the children in the state's custody.

"We believe we have a strong case," and that the children will remain in the state's temporary care, said Marleigh Meisner, with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

At a news conference Tuesday at a San Angelo museum, Meisner said she believed that there are children in the state's care that have been victims of physical and sexual abuse and other children who were at risk. The ranch was "not a safe environment for these children."

Meisner outlined a collaborative response by state agencies in dealing with the overwhelming magnitude of caring for such a large number of people. On Monday, the state agency came under fire for the seemingly abrupt separation of hundreds of children from their mothers and other female adult caretakers.

The decision — which came 11 days after the initial raid — came after "a lot of thought," she said. "We really stand by that decision."

Often, Meisner explained, children who remain in the company of an adult during the midst of a child abuse investigation do not feel that they can freely speak.

"We believe children who are victims of abuse and neglect are certainly going to feel safer if there is not a parent there, coaching them ... that is true of any child protection case," she said.

There were 100 children, 4 years old and older, who were sequestered with child protection staff, and one caregiver is assigned to three children. Children under age 4 were allowed to stay with their adult caretakers.

Meisner said that Monday's action resulted in 57 women who were transported to the San Angelo Coliseum, and six women accepted the agency's offer to move into "a safe place," while others requested to returnn to the ranch. Authorities provided that transportation.

"It was a difficult thing to do," she said. "Children like to be with their parents, and parents like to be with their children. There was some sadness as well as some tears."

The children who have been separated have indoor and outdoor play areas, and are being provided three meals a day plus snacks.

"They are happy, they are playing," she said.

Meisner also outlined other agency action, including the transfer of two dozen adolescent boys. They were moved Monday afternoon and placed in temporary foster custody.