September trial in FLDS custody case
According to an order signed Thursday by 51st District Judge Barbara Walther, the state will investigate another potential foster home for the girl, who sect documents record as having been married to Jeffs when she was 12 years old.
"We're going to do a home study to find a possible ... placement," said Child Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins.
Attorneys for the girl; her mother, Barbara Jessop; and the state's Child Protective Services agency declined to comment.
The sides agreed to a six-month extension in the case which had been scheduled to expire in April to allow attorneys for Jessop and her daughter to conduct discovery on what is believed to be mounds of evidence collected since April from the YFZ Ranch in Schleicher County.
The attorneys also agreed to a separate order moving the trial from Eldorado, near the location of the sprawling compound of the Fundamentalist LDS Church. With a trial necessary before October, the lack of air conditioning in the Schleicher County Courthouse became a prohibitive factor.
The jury trial will take place Sept. 28 in San Angelo.
Sect documents released over the course of the investigation portray a triple wedding ceremony the night of July 27, 2006, involving the girl and Jeffs, with the ceremony officiated by her father, ranch patriarch Merril Jessop, who has since been indicted by a Schleicher County grand jury, likely for his alleged role in the ceremony.
Other men accused of being involved in the ceremonies also have been indicted, and Barbara and Merril Jessop have been accused of witnessing or allowing more than 10 marriages between underage girls and adult men.
During previous custody hearings, Jessop has refused to answer questions about how she would keep her daughter safe if granted custody. At one point, Jessop pleaded the Fifth Amendment more than 50 times.
The order signed Thursday leaves intact the previous requirements for the girl and her mother, whom Child Protective Services has accused of being uncooperative since the girl's removal from her care in August. The requirements include monitored visits and restricted access to other sect members, including her mother.
Recent comments
A good MOTHER teaches DIGNITY, SELF-WORTH, SELF-STEAM, TO LOVE YOUR...
Anonymous | March 5, 2009 at 2:27 p.m.
She's NOT a hostage. Texas is doing their job unlike Utah & AZ....
KC | Jan. 9, 2009 at 1:23 p.m.
As I recall she was married a couple of years ago. Perhaps she is...
Girl or Wife......? | Jan. 9, 2009 at 5:44 a.m.
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling 1:19 a.m.
- Brems outlasts 2nd round of votes 1:04 a.m.
- 2 families divided over slaying 1:04 a.m.
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper 1:03 a.m.
- Nature's Way leaving Utah County 1:03 a.m.
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend 12:31 a.m.
- 'Cyber Monday' sales top records 12:29 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game 12:26 a.m.
- No drugs in driver of Am.F. band bus 12:15 a.m.
- Governor Mansion to begin free tours 12:14 a.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Y. student vanished in China
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Max Hall issues apology
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
379 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
370 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
316 - Utes won't respond to Hall
257 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
110
Live 'Twittologue' Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. with Jason Chaffetz. Click for more.
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.
Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...
Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...
The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...
TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...
could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...
Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...
I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...
quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.
I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...

