From Deseret News archives:
37 kids left in FLDS custody case
Texas Child Protective Services officials confirmed on Wednesday that 402 children have now been dropped from court oversight, bringing the total number of people nonsuited in the case to 428. The Deseret News' ongoing tally includes 26 "disputed minors," FLDS women whom CPS originally believed were minors but were nonsuited when the agency confirmed they were adults.
That leaves only 37 children left with pending lawsuits, agency spokesman Patrick Crimmins said in an e-mail.
"We're delighted. It's about time," said Mark Ticer, a court-appointed attorney for four children ranging in age from 5 to 10. "And the department lived up to the representations that they made about doing it."
CPS has said the reasons for nonsuiting a child vary from no evidence of abuse being found to parents taking adequate steps to protect their children from abuse. Nonsuiting does not necessarily end CPS's role in the families' lives. Many parents agreed to attend classes or get therapy for their children.
The custody case involving children from the Utah-based church, which mushroomed to the largest in U.S. history, has been rapidly winding down.
Authorities raided the FLDS Church's YFZ Ranch in April on a report alleging abuse on the Eldorado compound. The call is believed to be a hoax, but authorities said they found other evidence of abuse on scene, prompting a judge to order the removal of all of the children from the ranch.
The 439 children were returned to their parents two months later when an Austin appeals court and the Texas Supreme Court ruled the state acted improperly.
Since then, CPS investigators appear to have narrowed their focus to at least 10 cases of alleged underage marriages.
Only one child, a 14-year-old girl allegedly married at age 12 to FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, has been returned to foster care. A judge ruled her mother was unable to protect her from abuse. Six other children also remain under CPS authority after their parents signed deals with the agency.
A criminal probe also continues. Nine FLDS men, including Jeffs, have been indicted by a Texas grand jury on charges that include sexual assault of a child, bigamy and failure to report child abuse.
The grand jury meets again in November and December.
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
Recent comments
Perhaps next CPS should go after people who have documented beliefs...
Crusty | Nov. 5, 2008 at 7:42 p.m.
re - Mary 7:12am
this guy Ben Barlow also stated that it is in...
realitycheck | Nov. 4, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.
If in fact the restriction on the "clients" of Hayes extends
to...
zxcvbnm | Nov. 3, 2008 at 8:49 a.m.
- Germany celebrates Wall falling 3:53 p.m.
- Iraq electoral law passes 3:39 p.m.
- Memorial at site of Cleveland killings 3:35 p.m.
- Chavez to troops: Prepare for war 3:34 p.m.
- Suspect in Vail shooting faces charge 3:31 p.m.
- TCU moves into 4th place in BCS 3:16 p.m.
- Alcohol suspected in Roy shooting 2:36 p.m.
- Chaplain seeks prayers for meaning 2:36 p.m.
- La. Gov. declares state of emergency 2:34 p.m.
- 'SuperFreakonomics' just as fun 1:42 p.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
213 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - House passes health care bill
184 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
146 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
112 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
98
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
What a master manipulator this guy is.
Most of the comments have been from the point of view that everyone is able...
Other notable perfomances Tanner Hinds Davis High 186 yards
Tcu is absolutely a good team this year but you can't say they would have...
This right here is why I will never be a Commissioned Military Officer! ...
were sayin now see ya on the wrestling mat! try to stop us there
that KRUGER shook hands after the game. Not sure if you've seen one of the...
I feel sorry for you and your "real hatred" towards that which you don't...
They're clearly better than last year, but clearly not by as much as hoped. ...
Wow, look, it's another jealous BYU fan! You guys are pathetic! When you can...

