From Deseret News archives:
Last of the FLDS kids removed from the coliseum, FLDS spokesman lashes out
The last buses pulled out of the San Angelo Coliseum grounds in convoy about noon local time, escorted by police cars and ambulances. Small children waved to reporters and photographers as they drove by. Some appeared to be very young; one child was seen holding a bottle.
"There were some infants, but they were infants of children," Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, told the Deseret News on Friday.
The children were separated from their mothers on Thursday, with the exception of infants under 12 months old. Texas child welfare authorities said the children will now be heading to foster care homes and facilities scattered around the state.
Once they are placed in foster care, they will have to acclimate to life in a different world from the one behind the gates of the "Yearning for Zion" Ranch near Eldorado, Texas. Child protective services workers have said they would segregate some of the children in foster care facilities, ensure they have the ability to practice their religion and continue to wear clothing unique to the FLDS lifestyle.
The spokesman said he knew of only two pregnant teenagers who were in state protective custody.
Rod Parker said they would be sending letters to all of the government agencies involved, demanding that all evidence be preserved for future use in lawsuits.
Asked what type of lawsuit was being planned, Parker would only say, "civil rights litigation."
Reacting to the numerous allegations that continue to swirl around the polygamist sect, Parker said "those are just allegations and most of them are denied."
Meanwhile, the cases will go on in court, as a judge considers each of the 462 children and whether they should be reunited with their parents, remain in foster care or be placed with other family members.
"All that's going to happen in a courtroom," Van Deusen said. "The judge makes those decisions. We will make recommendations, the children's parents will have input. A judge has to consider all that and decide what's best for the children."
Texas authorities maintain that they found abuse on the YFZ Ranch, including a pattern of teenage girls being married to older men. Some girls in protective custody, CPS alleges, had babies while they were teenagers.
Recent comments
no, most often the flds moms DON'T chose their kids over the...
gretchen | July 2, 2008 at 5:27 p.m.
After watching the Date Line segment last night, I'm more than...
Mountain High | April 28, 2008 at 1:34 p.m.
The eyes of the world are watching the police state of Texas kidnap...
Shocked | April 27, 2008 at 10:46 p.m.
- Aggies host Southern Utah 1:53 a.m.
- Cougars turn back Wildcats' 1:44 a.m.
- Cougar women lose at home 1:41 a.m.
- Sloan's two point guard lineup 1:39 a.m.
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory 1:36 a.m.
- RSL's Movsisyan departs 1:36 a.m.
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset 1:27 a.m.
- Utah Utes football starters 1:25 a.m.
- BYU football starters 1:24 a.m.
- Jazz involved in 4-team race 1:22 a.m.
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
264 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
133 - Boys basketball rankings
128 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
109 - Letters: Trump card for believers
93 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
84 - Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
75
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
"You are the very epitome of self-indulgence liberal crassness. You care...
I thought it was a great parade. Isn't it the only one in Salt Lake County?...
is struggling in some aspects of his game. We saw what he did last year early...
Having explored caves as a youth and spent 31 yrs working occasionally...
How do the Utes continue to do this? They are bad enough to lose to lousy...
A little help here. Harmon says Utah should be on a 3-0 win streak. I assume...
disgruntled parents need to stay off the blogs...
Honk if you intercepted Max Hall.
however it pertinent to look at their schedule and then look at ours. Because...
and there are no ute fans, only bandwagon fans, nice try though


