From Deseret News archives:
FLDS couple signs tentative custody agreement
But most cases on hold; authorities say new evidence found
Meanwhile, Texas child welfare authorities said Tuesday they have uncovered more evidence that makes their case of underage marriages and sex abuse at the polygamous sect's property. That evidence was expected to be made public Tuesday at a court hearing over a 14-day-old baby, but a last-minute deal was struck.
"I understand y'all have reached a tentative agreement," Judge Barbara Walther said after a 2 1/2-hour delay, so lawyers could negotiate behind closed doors.
Dan Jessop and his wife Louisa Bradshaw (Jessop) signed a deal that gives the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services sole conservatorship over the baby. The parents have been named temporary possessors.
"I feel good about it," Dan Jessop said as he walked out of the courtroom. "It's one step closer to my family being together."
Bradshaw will stay in a San Antonio shelter with her baby. Her other children, a 3-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy, will be moved from a foster care facility in Austin to join her.
The deal can also be revisited upon a ruling by the Texas Supreme Court.
"Investigators have been able to go through more of the documents found at the ranch, and that means CPS has access to even more evidence detailing family relationships including marriages of underage girls. It's clearer than ever that children were at significant risk of sexual abuse at the ranch. We were prepared to present that evidence to the court. We do not know if the parents or FLDS agreed to a quick solution in this case in order to avoid the public disclosure of that evidence."
Witnesses
Tuesday's hearing would have called numerous witnesses, attorneys said, including a 13-year-old girl who CPS suggested was a child bride of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs. The girl is a sister of Dan Jessop.
Jessop's attorney, Pat Matassarin, said the agreement was reached in a "collective effort." She had filed a motion to continue the hearing when she learned the witnesses were going to testify and CPS lawyers had come to court with documents several inches thick but she had no idea what they would be talking about.
Recent comments
should keep the kids till they're 15...the FLDS would consider them...
texas | May 29, 2008 at 8:45 a.m.
I doubt all the children want to go back. After all, eight underage...
Interloper | May 28, 2008 at 11:44 p.m.
TO Jane who said "why cant this all just end . use the teen girls and...
Celina | May 28, 2008 at 10:08 p.m.
- Phoenix vote on temple Wednesday 11:02 a.m.
- Iran whistleblower poisoned 10:58 a.m.
- Stocks waver after jobs report 10:57 a.m.
- Robotic hand controlled by thoughts 10:51 a.m.
- Tribune Co. names new CEO 10:49 a.m.
- West High evacuated by bomb threat 10:43 a.m.
- FBI: Mitchell's answers calculated 10:42 a.m.
- Woods says he let family down 10:12 a.m.
- Recount in Atlanta mayoral race 9:54 a.m.
- Jurors defend verdict in Texas 9:52 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention
- Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- Find joy in life, Bishop Burton says
- Utahns growing tired of Bennett
- BCS just keeps dirty laundry on spin
- Orem pair getting a rep for crime
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
908 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
483 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
404 - Max Hall issues apology
388 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
351 - Utes won't respond to Hall
276 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
240 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
165 - BYU is champion of the state
143 - Religion in politics is tiresome
142
As the TV cameras Tuesday night scanned the West Point audience during...
I agree that the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable. It doesn't even have a...
Yeah, forget those Primaries when no one shows up to vote anyway. Let's have...
Palin is young and hot; Eagar is old and not.
when you say he hasn't done anything for Mike R, isn't that a good thing?
Extreme and inappropriate fan behavior happens all around the world. You...
"According to the government there is currently $700 billion wasted in...
This is a superb plan. Give the generals the troops and the resources and 18...
This will be a good measuring stick for both teams. The game will come down...
Re:7:48 am... I was raised in east Texas as a Methodist. I lived in 5...
Of course this war is winnable. History proves that all wars have been won...

