From Deseret News archives:
FLDS parents told to appear in court
"You have been sued," said the notice published by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
"You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you."
The notices, published in this week's edition of the Eldorado Success newspaper and on its Web site, myeldorado.net, list the names of hundreds of children and hundreds of people alleged to be their parents. It informs them that petitions have been filed in a Schleicher County court regarding the custody of their children.
"Each suit requests emergency protection of a child or children, as the case may be, who are the subject(s) of these suits, appointment as temporary managing conservator of the child or children, as the case may be, who are the subject(s) of these suits, and appointment as permanent managing conservator of the child or children, as the case may be, who are the
subject(s) of these suits," it said.
This is the second time such notices have been published. Service of legal papers by publication in a newspaper is common when the parents cannot be located to be served personally with a court summons. The FLDS Church has enclaves scattered across the West, including Hildale, Utah; Colorado City, Ariz.; British Columbia, in Canada; Nevada, South Dakota and Colorado.
"The court has authority in this suit to render any order, judgment or decree in the children's interest that will be binding on you, including the termination of the parent-child relationship, a determination of maternity for each child, a determination of paternity for each child, and appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to each child's adoption," it said.
The massive custody case involving the FLDS children and the legal war surrounding it are just beginning. Status hearings are scheduled to begin on Monday before five separate judges just to update the cases of 464 children in state protective custody.
As the Deseret News reported on Thursday, family service plans will be filed here with a list of conditions for the parents to possibly be reunited with their children. While it is not explicit, attorneys for some FLDS members claim they imply that the parents must move off of the YFZ Ranch or renounce their religion in order to get their children back.
