Comments about ‘FLDS consider options to keep their children’

I find it interesting that the flds strategies for getting their children back does not include forsaking underage marriage. That must be so basic to their belief system that they can't give it up. If they cannot promise and provide homes where that does not occur, Texas should keep the children..

"Some FLDS mothers with nursing babies and toddlers may be unaware that they will be forced to leave their children behind once Texas officials gather the DNA samples from them."

This makes me so sick. How can the state believe that taking a nursing baby away from its mother is not child abuse? This is SO wrong...

And what is wrong with accepting their clothes and other necessaties? Is the state planning on de-programming them from their beliefs?

I am LDS, I do not support poligamy or child abuse, but, there must have been a better way they could have done this.

How can the rest of the American people sit by and allow this to happen to these Women and children??

How can the rest of America sit by and allow old men to force underage girls into illegal polyamous marriage?

@chemist: As reported last week, FLDS mothers have offered to leave the Ranch, get their own accommodations and sign an affidavit that they will not allow / encourage their daughters to marry before they are 18. This has been rejected by the CPS and Texas authorities with the result that those children will now be placed in foster care.

One wonders why all the illegals coming in from Mexico aren't branded with a mark and catalogged in this way. Perhaps they don't want to offend those that will blend in with secular America?

Just remember: nothing CPS does is "illegal". They operate beyond the law, in much the same way anyone reading this is beyond a two-dimension drawing on a piece of paper. They can do whatever they want, and they have an unlimited supply of resources to do it (taxpayer money).

This doesn't sound or "feel" right. How can the rights of all these parents be abrogated over suspicions? I certainly don't agree with anything the FLDS do but they have the right to raise their children without the Gestapo-like tactics that've been employed against them. If there's proof a specific child has been abused, prosecute the case but this situation looks like religious persecution to me. Just my opinion....

Thankfully, the rest of america, texas at least, saw what was happening to these children for what it is. And put a stop to it the only way they could.

Because the rest of America thinks it's about religion and not constitutional rights. This raid and railroading in court is chilling, and if not overturned, this kidnapping of 416 children could go down as one of America's darkest hours.

If will be interesting to see who wins the legal battle, and for you readers whom think I'm FLDS, I'm not, and I do not approve of their lifestyle nor their beliefs, however, the federal and state government's must act in a constitutional and legal manner or this country is no better then a police state!

I think that you use a key word: de-programming. These children have been or will be brainwashed into their religion. No child should be put in that position. I don't care if you are FLDS, Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, or Athiest. No one has the right to indoctrinate their children. That is abuse enough to take these children into protection.

If you ever have had a nursing baby and try to wean that baby before the baby wants to be weaned you may have a struggle getting the baby to feed for a while. Some babies are known to substitute pacifiers and other sucking items for nusrishment and security. I think taking nursing babies from the mothers is child abuse.

How can the rest of America let this cult go under the radar for decades and let them get away with things because of "freedom of religion"

I came here to leave a comment that is exactly what Paula said ... CPS agencies all over the nation are out of control with their abuse of "power" and THEY are the ones who need to be deprogrammed.

Maybe the parents will get their kids back when they learn to tell the truth.

Underage marriage was not planned when the FLDS relocated to Texas. The age of consent at that time was 14. While I don't approve of 14 year-olds marrying older men, why don't the Texas Rangers and the CPS raid Dallas neighborhoods in which it is common for 14 year olds to be impregnated by older men. Why don't they shut down the Planned Parenthood offices which refuse to identify statutory rape?

I have to agree with Sarah that Texas CPS is an agency that abuses their unchecked power so much it is scary. They operate outside the law and operate with impunity and immunity.
Do any of you have any idea how many children are molested, battered or killed in Texas CPS protective custody? You should take 5 minutes of your time and find out before you send these poor sacrificial lambs to them.

To re:Paula at7:17

I see that you and I disagree on what are the duties of parents. I have tried to TEACH my children values including what I sincerely believe about religion. I have tried to TEACH them to be good people,to obey the law and to worship GOD as I know him (and as I believe most religions suggest.) I do not call it brainwashing!

On the other hand,I would proabably call you NEGLECTFUL in not TEACHING your children if I understand your posting correctly. It is my opinion that one of the greatest problems that our society faces now is the lack of teaching of young people that you are suggesting. A look at the morning paper or crime statistics will prove that!

We may disagree on what to teach and what we individually believe, but to tell me that a Mormon,Catholic,Jewish or Muslim does not have the right to teach their beliefs to their family should go off to some lonely island somewhere and get out of the United States where I consider this one of our basic CONSTITIUTIONAL RIGHTS. Does anyone agree with me?

PS-I saw lots of "child"brides and arranged marriages in OK&AR !

The ACLU should consider the civil rights of the 14 year old girls that are being raped by the 50 year old men!

First our government murders hundreds of people in Waco. Now they kidnap and mentally torture hundreds more. Freedom of religion apparently no longer exists in Texas. Are all these people guilty until proven innocent? Isn't that backwards? How is keeping mothers and children apart doing anything to prevent underage marriage? I guess when a government can get away with murder, there really aren't any limits to what it will try.

Here's my question....If the FLDS members aren't allowing anything illegal to go on at their communities, such as plural marriage, or child brides, or abuse of any kind....why are they so secretive and reclusive? Why do they live in remote areas where the rest of the world can't see them?