From Deseret News archives:

Attorneys agitated about FLDS family plans; judge questions why Books of Mormon were removed

Published: Monday, May 19, 2008 9:43 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Hearings to discuss custody of FLDS children resumed this afternoon with attorneys for parents and children becoming increasingly agitated about the lack of personalization and specifics in the family service plans.

Nancy Delong, who represents Carlene Jessop, a mother of four children in state custody, attacked the plan in court, saying it is not specific to her client.

"The plan that has been filed is not specific to Ms. Jessop," she said.

"It is specific to Ms. Jessop," Joni Manske, a Texas Child Protective Services worker replied.

"It's specific to Ms. Jessop, just like it is for 400 other children?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Delong also criticized the many requirements necessary for her client to be reunited with her children, which include open-ended suggestions such as parenting, psychological and vocational classes. Those requirements are in addition to Jessop's weekly visits with her children, who are scattered in facilities a day's travel apart.

"What are you going to do to help her?" Delong asked the CPS worker.

"I don't know the answer to that," Manske replied.

Jessop's husband, William Sunderland Jessop, sat near her in court. His attorney accused CPS of preparing a plan involving him and his children without ever talking to him.

Manske replied that the plans could be amended.

Story continues below
Another attorney in a separate courtroom pleaded with Judge Barbara Walther to instruct CPS workers to be more responsive.

"I'd like a little respect here," said Billy Britt Jarvis. He said he's made repeated phone calls to the agency on behalf of his client, a little boy, and has had very little response.

Criticism over the plans also focused on the lack of attorneys having a chance to review them. In some cases, even the parents have not seen the plans.

"I'd like some respect, too, like that other attorney said. This plan wasn't even presented to my client until Saturday," said Thomas H. Morris III. He represents Samuel Jessop, who with his wife Cynthia Joy, has several children in state custody throughout the state of Texas.

• A young son of FLDS Church leader Warren Jeffs was among the first children discussed in a custody hearing this morning in what will be weeks of court proceedings to determine the fate of hundreds of children taken from the YFZ Ranch.

Walther approved a family service plan for reuniting 6-year-old Samuel with his mother Sharon Barlow, 35, who appeared in the courtroom. The boy is in state custody in Amarillo.

The goal is reunification by April 13, 2009.

Recent comments

Yep, those LDSers and FLDSers are arrogant and ignert inbreds, unlike...

Urroenr | May 23, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.

Both the LDS in SLC & FLDS are directly tied to Joseph Smith &...

Call me what you want... | May 22, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.

I'm sorry for offending you I guess those of you that stand out to me...

Janet | May 22, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.

Image
AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saintsfollow a group of attorneys Monday into the Tom Green County Courthouse.

previousnext

Latest comments

Soccer all-state honorable mention

It is ashamed that alot of girls don't make the list, state wide, but we know...

boo!! terrible article. Beck, Hannity, and Limbaugh are all great americans...

U. hopes to keep clicking

Utah did hang tough against Oregon based on their D, and Utah's strong...

Obama salutes slain

That picture broke my heart. My hope is that the whole nation prays for the...

An answer is appropriate. From the Preamble to the Constitution: "promote...

Let me guess...Steve doesn't believe in the Bible? Because if he does then he...

LDS church doctrine does not change just because world views change. Im so...

I hope the Utes go down in flames...always have, always will.

5A teams best of decade

Who cares about the decade. We just care about Friday at 2:30pm when Bingham...

As a teacher of AP European History and also as one who has spent a...

Advertisements
Advertisement