Reader comments: 25 mothers taken from FLDS ranch now believed to be minors

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Matt in Tucson | 4:00 p.m. April 24, 2008
While the state claims they are under 18, can they prove it? Don't you have to prove a person is not an adult before you can do something like that? It is one thing to send minors away. But how can you similarly abuse the rights of adults?

I just started a blog on parent-rights on blogspot. I hope many more outraged citizens will also start blogs, and force the state to adhere to the constitution.
June | 4:14 p.m. April 24, 2008
Tragically, this is not a surprise. Thank you, Texas, for doing something.
Jane | 4:18 p.m. April 24, 2008
It is possible that some moms were saying they were over eighteen to avoid prosecution of their husbands (and possibly parents) but felt that separation from their children was too high a price to pay for protecting adults who were indeed complicit with their underage "marriage."

It is also possible that some young but adult moms decided to claim they were under eighteen once they realized they'd be separated from their young children soon.

Another possibility is that medical examinations, possibly including x-rays, indicate that these moms are unlikely to be over eighteen or over.

In my opinion, the more young women can be kept away from the ranch legally the better because it is not an environment that allows free choice. The women do not have good educations for the most part and cannot even choose their own spouse, according to every woman who has escaped. And, escape is the only option to make their own choices, despite the robotic claims of some of the women back at the ranch these days.
Comments continue below
Ann Marie | 4:18 p.m. April 24, 2008
Matt please contact me at contact AT FLDS dot WS please.

Thanks!
chemist | 4:23 p.m. April 24, 2008
This all goes back to the flds people lying and deceiving the CPS investigators. The young mothers said they were 18 because their husbands told them to say that. I was pleaaed to hear that their "prophet's" request for a new trial was denied. What we have here is a male dominated group of leaders who force the women to dress in uncomfortable and restrictive clothing, do not allow their children, especially females, to have access to full educational opportunities and they cloak this in their interpetation of religion. (Hmm, sounds just like the Taliban)I have little sympathy for the flds. If there were underage females transported to YFZ for "marriage" to men 18 or over the Mann act should apply. The children issue is but the beginning of the legal and criminal problems that the flds will find themselves in.
John | 4:30 p.m. April 24, 2008
I agree with the TEXAS comment. It's about time someone had the common sense to do something about babies forced to have babies. If you dont think there is something wrong with that picture then there is something wrong with Y-O-U!

Proud LDS Member,
Stansbury Park, Utah
Dillon | 4:40 p.m. April 24, 2008
Texas is doing a good and necassary service they just need to extend their service to include all mormons. Hopefully one day they can all be free from this evil religious infliction. Our prayers are with and for them.
To LDS people | 4:45 p.m. April 24, 2008
I'm curious, why do you think it was okay for your former leaders to marry 14 year old girls, but not Warren Jeffs.
Finally it comes out | 4:46 p.m. April 24, 2008
25 underaged child brides? Wow. The DNA tests are going to be really interesting...These girls probably don't have birth certificates or any kind of documentation either.
MaryPrayForUs | 4:48 p.m. April 24, 2008
How old was Mary when she married Joseph....when she had Jesus???

First they came for the Communists,

and I didn’t speak up,

because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,

and I didn’t speak up,

because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,

and I didn’t speak up,

because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,

and by that time there was no one

left to speak up for me.

by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945
Re: Dillon | 4:50 p.m. April 24, 2008
You think they should take children away from LDS families??
Anonymous | 4:59 p.m. April 24, 2008
I think the FLDS believes US citizens will be outraged by what CPS and Texas authorities have done. Quite the contrary; I applaud what's been done. My hope is that many boys and girls will be saved from this cult. This isn't 1953. We will stand up for the enslaved children!

And I don't much care if it's legal to marry teenage girls; it's wrong!
Gary | 8:47 p.m. April 26, 2008
I live East of the Mississippi ... and have no affiliation with any of these down in FLDS and LDS religions down in Texas or out West ...

But yes ... I am outraged by what CPS and the Texas authorities have done.
Gary | 8:51 p.m. April 26, 2008
Would not at all be surprised if those mothers previously claiming to be adults, that now claim to be minors, are only claiming to be minors so that they can stay with their children.

I would think any mother that loves her kids, would even lie (and say she is a minor), if it meant she could stay with her kids (and would otherwise be separated from them).

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