"I was involved with the FLDS for 35 years," she said. "I am able to protect my children. Most, I believe, are in a safe place now."

She described her former "sister-wife" Barbara Jessop beating one of Barbara Jessop's children with a broom as the family sang a hymn, "Love At Home," during a Sunday school session.

Carolyn Jessop left the FLDS Church about five years ago, taking her eight kids with her. She chronicled it in her memoir, "Escape."

Under cross-examination, she acknowledged that her 19-year-old daughter, Betty, returned to the FLDS Church. She also acknowledged she saw Barbara Jessop do things that would be considered "good parenting."

Rios suggested Carolyn Jessop was testifying for publicity and money. She acknowledged she was paid nearly $250,000 for her book but said that she has not worked since she left the FLDS Church and has been the sole provider for her children, including one who is handicapped.

Some of the incidents Carolyn Jessop described happened as far back as 20 years ago, Rios said.

"Have you ever hit your children?" he asked her.

"A few times before I left (the FLDS)," she replied. "I didn't like hitting. After I left, there's never been an episode."

Apparently stunned by the testimony, FLDS member Willie Jessop escorted Betty Jessop into the courthouse as the afternoon session began. She is expected to testify today.

"We'll see if she has a different story," Willie Jessop told the Deseret News.

During the hearing, Rios attacked the evidence seized from the YFZ Ranch, including marriage certificates, photos, love letters and bishop's records. At one point, he sought to have evidence excluded but then asked for the hundreds of thousands of pieces of YFZ evidence to be brought into the case.

"Is that really what you want?" Judge Barbara Walther asked him.

Rios successfully got photos of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs kissing underage girls kept out of his case, but Child Protective Services introduced records that detailed at least nine marriages involving underage girls to older men.

Concerning Barbara Jessop's 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, CPS workers said they have exhausted efforts to avoid placing them in foster care. Efforts to find others to care for the children haven't worked out.

"How many am I supposed to contact?" CPS investigator Ruby Gutierrez asked a lawyer representing Jessop's daughter.