Warren Jeffs' influence evident in FLDS hearings

A court-ordered DNA sample has not been collected from Jeffs, even though samples are on file at both the Utah State Prison and the Mohave County Jail.

In another hearing for two of Jeffs' boys and a woman named Brenda Jessop, Aboussie appeared irritated when it was revealed in court that copies of the Book of Mormon belonging to boys being sheltered at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in Amarillo were confiscated.

"I'd like to know why that was removed. I'd like to hear if there's a good reason," Aboussie said. "I can't think of one myself. There needs to be an excellent reason."

A CPS caseworker said that there were photographs of Warren Jeffs inside the books, noting that he is a convicted sex offender.

"The same father of these children?" Aboussie asked. "If this is their religious text, they're probably entitled to have it."

FLDS member Willie Jessop blasted the removal of the scriptures as "sick and pathetic."

"If they can openly admit they can take away the Book of Mormon from us today, it'll be the Bible tomorrow," he fumed outside the courthouse. "It's outrageous!"

Cal Farley's Boys Ranch officials did not return repeated phone calls for comment on Monday. Officials with the Tom Green County Children's Advocacy Center also raised concerns about Jeffs' sermons.

"CASA is concerned about children listening to or reading anything by Warren Jeffs," case manager Paulette Schell said. "He is a convicted felon and we'd like those communications to stop."

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