Reader comments
All FLDS children returned to parents

A legal principal called "qualified immunity" pretects government actors from civil lawsuits in the performance of their duties. Qualified immunity protects "all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate the law".

If the sheriff had reason to even suspect maybe that the calls were bogus, and he kept going, he's fair game in court!

Go for it FLDS women!

Actually there are five investigations into criminal behavior regarding the Texas compound. 1) Wisan who manages the United Effort Plan Trust wants financial documents pertaining to the YFZ ranch to see if the ranch used diverted money from the Trust. If so, he intends to put the ranch back into the trust. This will be strange because the money used to buy the ranch and supplies was nothing compared with the labor used to transform the ranch into something far more valuable than what was paid. 2) The FBI executed a warrant on the compound for unknown reasons. It appears Warren Jeffs had been hidden by his followers on the grounds of the compound while wanted by the FBI for unlawful flight. Also there has been mention of interstate trafficking in underage teen girls. A girl originating from Canada was found in the raid 3) CPS is still investigating abuse on the compound and just received DNA test results which should assist in confirming abuse 4) The Texas attorney general's office and the Texas Rangers are investigating various criminal acts, primarily statutory rape, failure to protect a minor and polygamy.

So much for the hundred or so FLDS kids whose callous, cowardly parents abandoned them to avoid prosecution.

This article differs significantly from the article in today's Houston Chronicle that states that there are 11 girls now believed to have been sexually abused. The Houston Chronicle also states that only a few of the FLDS families are actually returning to the YFZ ranch, and that most are choosing to rent or buy homes elsewhere in Texas. What gives??

While what you are saying is correct and probably applies to right wing, home of the republicans, Utah, each state has its own laws as to what actions these government actors are immune from and Texas, which is home to the democrats, may have very standards and laws. In addition, there are also possible civil rights violations of the U.S. Constitution which might have different standards than each State. I think it is certain that Texas will be paying in the end, probably in an out of court settlement.

The next raid should be real entertaining...with the first screw up fresh in the minds of the Texas agencies just how will they arrest anyone on that ranch without raising fears.
I can just see Sheriff Doran with his hat in his hand ........well guys I know that the last time that tank kinda scared yall...so why don't you two pervs just come along now.......i'll have ya home in 20 years.......you guys can trust me.

Well, the numbers of possible abuse keep falling and the kids and parents are still being accused of wrong doing without any arrests taken place. If they could they surly would have tried to scrape the mud off their faces by now! This is the new bench mark example of a modern 'Witch Hunt' that will be used forever as an example of overreaction and what can happen when the rights of individuals are disregarded and trampled on. Shame on Texas!

While I realize that state laws differ, if you google: "An Important Win For Fathers, Children In Nebraska Supreme Court" and read that article (June 4, 2008) it is ABOUT a successful lawsuit against CPS - well, actually two successful lawsuits against CPS.

Supporting your condescending rebuttal with a bunch of mays, mights, possiblies, and probablies, without any real substance?

"Qualified immunity" is a legal principle that is applicable in every state, including Texas.

Texas case law provides either absolute immunity or qualified immunity to a public servant depending on the type of authority retained by that individual. For example, judges are generally entitled to the defense of absolute or complete immunity in the exercise of judicial functions. Turner v. Pruitt, 342 S.W.2d 422 (Tex. 1961).

The majority of Texas public servants, however, may only assert a defense of qualified immunity from liability. Qualified immunity provides protection from liability for discretionary actions taken in good faith within the scope of the officer�s or employee�s authority. Determination of whether an action was taken in good faith is a fact issue and a discretionary action involves the exercise of discretion or judgment.

Seems to depends on where you live and how the laws are written - if they protect the state agencies.

I just want to know where the ACLU was all this time?????? And why does the CPS care of about this possible set of underaged mothers and not the 4 million plus others in the nation? I know someone personaly that was pregnant at 14 by someone older than 18.

Gonna be hard to get a jury to side with anything involving these perverts. Once W. Jeffs is convicted of flat out rape of a minor, most jurors will agree that Texas authorities were simply acting to protect these children, from obvious abuse. When CPS found evidence of abuse, their only care was to protect all the children, as they would in any home where abuse was evident. And yes, we will all consider this one ranch, one compound, one house.

This may be off topic and irrelevant but I was wondering why when they took the kids the state swooped in with busses, etc to transport the kids.

Now if the families want to get their kids back they have to provide their own transportation and drive around to the various foster-care facilities the State sent them too (sometimes 500 miles one-way) to round up their kids?

These families are not wealthy by any means. It Seems like the State should at least have to reimburse these families for the legal expenses and the expense required to collect their kids after the State took them and scattered them around Texas.

I get the feeling these FLDS families could get a lot more than just transportation and legal expenses from Texas if they decide to take them to court for the civil rights violations. But I don't get the feeling the FLDS are the kind that would rather not go to court, nor use the courts or the media unless compelled to (for good reason).

I just hope those who were unnecessarily caught up in this (the kids) can someday get back to what is normal/happy for them, and-any-actual-provable-abuse-stopped.

According to Eldorado past articles, there is a Raymond Jessop that is the legal agent for the corporation that owns the YFZ Ranch. This same Raymond Jessop is a son of Merrill Jessop, ex-husband of Carolyn Jessop, author of the book "Escape".

WHAT? Now the State is claiming to only have 4 girls, who have been married, or forced to give birth. Thats a far cry from the origional news that there were numerous underaged girls walking around this ranch. Also, 26 women were released that were believed to be minors. Perhaps,like the 37 year old woman held against her will, who CPS claimed to be a minor also. I would say these women's rights have been violated, in the worst way. CPS has shown their cruelty in the worst way. To begin with, CPS, made it sound like they had a really good case of child abuse against these people. Then, they turn around, and have to say there was hardly any at all. The importance of these 5, oh , I mean 4 girl's safety is of extreme importance, but to uproot a whole community over it? It's very clear to see that CPS has terrified these people enough that they are not even returning home. I have heard over and over that the women on the ranch did not recieve welfare. I'm sure they are going to need it now, thanks to their ongoing struggle with CPS.

Nice detective work. Now what does it have to do with anything?

I'm tired of reading this silly FLDS nonsense...off to more interesting articles.

Ray, also under 42 US Code 1983, an officer of any agency (Fed, State, or County) is liable for violations of Constitutional rights if he is acting under the color of law. I hope the FLDS take them to court.

Re; anon .............BINGO !!! See the direction the criminal investigation is heading. Would'nt wanna be no Jessop.

So all this civil rights violations for less than 1% of underage girls who got pregnant. And <10% had signs of previous broken limbs (also abuse - come on, of my 5 kids 3 broke bones in accidents or sports - get real!). Our school district (upper middle class - rich) has a greater percentage of under age pregnancies (close to 5%) as well as drugs, crime, etc and no prosecutions. I don't condone underage sex or polygamy, but I do stand for the rights of people to be different.

Texas deserves all the problems it has brought on to them.