Reader comments
Judge in FLDS case peppers CPS with questions

108 comments   |   Read story

good site | 11:15 a.m. April 23, 2008
I wonder if they find more than they are looking for with DNA samples. Underage girls with children not from older man but a secret boyfriend?
check out the site captive flds children dot org. It is disturbing, looks like Iraq not Texas.
masked_data | 11:16 a.m. April 23, 2008
Looks like only the legal daddies are showing up to claim their kids. Where's Merril?
HD | 11:22 a.m. April 23, 2008
With the given situation, DNA testing is the only real way to determine family relationships at this point. This could have been cleared up simply by the adults from the FLDS coming forward and giving accurate names and family relationships. At this point the adults are the ones creating this problem. There is no longer any doubt as to whether or not polygamy laws have been broken. It is now a question of whether or not the state and government are going to take appropriate actions to correct this. For those found breaking the law, they should go to jail. While I respect the individual rights of any group to workship as they decide, breaking the law does not fall under individual rights. There are too many reports of abuse and problems associated with this way of life from those that have lived through it. While the present situation is difficult on the children, they will soon have a better understanding of what is beyond the barbwire of their world.
Comments continue below
Where is Merrill | 11:27 a.m. April 23, 2008
Merrill Jessop is the Leader of the YFZ Ranch and you would think he would be the spokesman but he is MIA. Isn't it normal for the head of any organization to be the spokesman if they are accused of any wrong doing. He is supposed to be the one with all of the answers to accusations. But Merrill Chooses to send out the women to do all of the talking. Does this seem strange?
Mensem | 11:33 a.m. April 23, 2008
I am no friend of this religious sect, but people who are religious need to look at the greater implications of this issue. In America it wasn't long ago that young women were married. My Pastor (Baptist) married his wife when she was 15 and his wife's mother was married when she was 13! I don't agree with marrying young, but at what point does you disagreeing with someone give you the right to exercise the power of the government to seize their children? 1)Taking these children from their parents is unnatural. 2) I still haven't heard that they found the person who originally called with the complaint against her husband 3) These FLDS kids all look fairly healthy to me 4) One man with several wives (while I don't agree with it) isn't any worse than the 25 year old single mother with 4 children from 3 different men on welfare. If there is a domestic dispute with a woman and her husband- ok, send in a police unit to investigate. Otherwise, leave these people alone.
April | 11:38 a.m. April 23, 2008
I wonder what the reation of those parents who are claiming the girls versus claiming boys since the FLDS is notorious for casting out male children in order to reduce the competion for the elder males.

This may end up being a benefit to them.....a legal was of gender cleansing.
Just asking?? | 11:41 a.m. April 23, 2008
I have a question, my brothers married my husbands sisters, (we are very close) Come on, we live in California, we are not weird. Would the DNA of our children be the same? We always thought it was good that our kids would have many kidney doners if needed. If the "compound people" had the same situation, would that further confuse the issue?
re:Mensem | 11:42 a.m. April 23, 2008
I will take you at your word that those people were married at those ages because many years ago that did happen in this country. We also had slaves in this country at one time but that does not make it right. The difference is your pastor was a one man and one woman marriage and I am sure his wife was not forced to marry him by a "Superior"
Give the children to the parents | 11:49 a.m. April 23, 2008
Give the children back it is a crime to take these children from their parents
without a fair trail
avengeance | 12:03 p.m. April 23, 2008
As soon as the children are swept under the rug, this story will lose all its juicy excitement, and the masses will go back to which politician to keep from getting elected, or which professional sports team to root for.

In a few years, when the economy has fallen apart, people like these "fundamentalists" will be one ones getting the last laugh, since they, and people like them, are the ones most self-sufficient. Maybe when the government can no longer afford to keep these children imprisoned, they'll be forced to give them back.
Re: Give the children back to | 12:07 p.m. April 23, 2008
A trial will take 6 months to a year. How many more acts of child rape will happen during that time? I would venture to say hundreds.
Trial? | 12:10 p.m. April 23, 2008
Why? This is TEXAS, after all. End of the bible belt and justice is fluid.
Cameron Berry | 12:24 p.m. April 23, 2008
WHERE IS THE PROOF?
WHERE ARE THE POLICE REPORTS?
WHERE IS THE PROOF THAT THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL THAT WAS MOLESTED?
IS NOT JUSTICE SUPPOSED TO BE OPEN PROCESS?
Anonymous | 12:26 p.m. April 23, 2008
Why? Because the FLDS culture is full of abuse, both physical and emotional. Check out Carolyn Jessop's book "Escape" before condemning the Texas authorities.
to avengeance | 12:32 p.m. April 23, 2008
These people are a burden on our economy, because these women are "spiritually" married, they are able to get welfare and food stamps. The church owns all the property and all income from the members go into the church, so they do not pay taxes and are able to outbid people on jobs, cause of their non-tax status. These kids have been provided for by we people who they are told are evil, but now our taxes to give them a free ride.
Poligs need to trade with China. | 12:37 p.m. April 23, 2008
In China, they have a 1.5 child limit, that was the last I heard, they also think that male children are more honorable, so they do not want female children. So since the Polygamist's throw the boys out and the Chinese don't want the girls, maybe they need to do a trade. Actually, I don't believe that, both cases are disgusting, and so unfair to children, where are the boys?

Oh and Cameron, did you not read the instructions to not type in caps? We all like our opinions and want them to get noticed, but we need to get over ourselves and do things the way we are asked to, just as the people in Texas are following the laws, what we hear and what they know are very different.
Re: good site | 12:39 p.m. April 23, 2008
FLDS propaganda so they can get their kids back and continue abusing them.
To Cameron Berry | 12:39 p.m. April 23, 2008
This case is UNDER INVESTIGATION. There doesn't have to be any PROOF while it is being investigated. In the meantime, children must be protected from possible further abuse.

Why is this so hard to grasp?
20/20 on ABC | 12:51 p.m. April 23, 2008
John Quinones on 20/20 Did a story with Brent Jeffs who was sexually abused,as a young boy,by his Uncle Warren Jeffs and Warrens Brothers. He tells of many more that were abused and how the women and children are being abused in the compound. Do an internet search for Brent Jeffs. He's Been There. Read his story and see how many still say Texas is Wrong.
Re: PROOF | 12:51 p.m. April 23, 2008
evidence, charges, trial, verdict (PROOF), sentence

Some trials can take months, if not years, to be completed, after the initial report of an alleged crime.

Are you suggesting that CPS should just leave children in a potentially abusive situation until actual proof (that is, a court verdict) is decided?

Sorry little 13 year old girl. We suspect that this old man is abusing you, but until we get him in a court of law and PROVE that you were forced to marry him and that he's sexually abusing you, you'll just have to continue being abused for a while.

re Mensem | 12:55 p.m. April 23, 2008
Exactly, my grandma was being courted by my now deceased grandpa when she was 14 years old and when he was 18. They didn't marry until she graduated from High School, during those 3-4 years he worked, got land, built a house etc. They aren't odd people, they are very normal mainstream Latter Day Saints. It was a bit of a shock then some laughs about robbing the cradle when it came up in conversation. But she was never taken away from her mother and father for having an older boyfriend.

The DNA tests are a violation of the 5th amendment. This judge is evil, yes evil. And every single authority that took place without voicing concern and disapproval also can bear that tag of evil.

How is it that before the FLDS moved it, it was deemed ok by Texas law for 14 year olds to wed, but as soon as they arrived it was changed to 16?
good site? | 12:55 p.m. April 23, 2008
I noticed there is no contact link....


POLYGAMY is AGAINST the LAW....period...

if there were 10,000 growing weed out there in Colorado city..the army would be there the next day
Janie | 1:06 p.m. April 23, 2008
I winder if any of the children will be put in LDS homes or if that would even be allowed?
tx res | 1:17 p.m. April 23, 2008
the reason it was not bad when your mom long ago did this or your dad married a younger woman (my mom was 15 when she married my dad but did not have children till 23) was that someone was not telling them they have to do this to get into heaven this is what even reenforces the sickness of it all
You want your proof ? | 1:22 p.m. April 23, 2008
You FLDS defenders amaze me. Do some research on this cult. It isn't hard. Boo hoo to these women who cry on national TV. Funny how you see the same group of women "representing" this cult. I'm happy for these kids for finally getting out of that vicious cycle of abuse.

Brent Jeffs is a name you can Google There's many others who have told their story online. www.childbrides.org is a great site with many stories.

How can you defend a group of people who STILL worship Warren Jeffs?
It should be law 18 to marry | 1:28 p.m. April 23, 2008
No one under the age of 18 should be able to marry without both parents consent and have judge sign off on why they need to marry at a young age.

100 years ago the marrying age was different. Marrying at 14 in not needed and should not be allowed for any reason!

Let the little girls grow up first. When they are 18 and if they choose to marry a man with more than one wife that would be another story. Forcing 14 year old girls to marry is not religous freedom it is slavery. Slavery and polygamy were outlawed a very long time ago.
more laws being broken | 1:32 p.m. April 23, 2008
Having your uncle for your daddy is ALSO against the law.
Andy | 1:33 p.m. April 23, 2008
Why are some of you making your opinions on what you see on TV? That is the last place to get reliable info to make a reasonable judgement on a situation.
And to those who are saying that there is a violation of rights from the 5th Amendment. I really dont think you know what you are talking about. The 5th Amendment states that one doesn't have to
"witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW! How can they determine the age and peternity of each child if they wont testify truthfully? Getting DNA is NOT against the 5th Amendment! It is a part of due process to determine if the law has been broken. Make sure that you read your rights before you assume to think you know your rights.
Proud Texan | 1:32 p.m. April 23, 2008
The judge is not evil, she is doing her job. Texas state law doesn't permit children being raped; we're funny that way. If the parents had cooperated, some of them may have been able to keep their children. But, because they lied about which children belonged to which adults, their names, etc., all children had to be removed and protected.

My hope is that the women will leave this horrible pedofile haven, start a new life in the outside world, and cooperate with CPS to get their children back.
Outstanding | 1:48 p.m. April 23, 2008
The display of sheer ignorance of the Law. And the History of this country, ...and the unflipping believable stupidity of the T. V. tranced.[turn it off READ] ... Unclean Hands, when did the STATE OF TEXAS find a pair of those lie-ing around ? PUH LEASE ! Wayne Martin {Mt. Carmel 28 Feb. 1993} called 911...listen to all 48 hours and ask yourself WHO is acting in Good Faith ? This "country" declared Bankruptcy March 9, 1933....To Whom ? Stupid don't change true. The King is coming. Judge Yourselves. How utterly repulsive to the descendants of the Men Who died at the Alamo. PUKE! YOU BUREAUCRATIC SWINE ! PIT VIPERS !
Jon B. Holbrook | 1:59 p.m. April 23, 2008
There are parallels between the raid on Short Creek in 1953 and the raid on the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas in April, 2008. The raid on Short Creek was motivated by some ambitious politicians. The current raid on the YFZ Ranch was also, to some degree, motivated by political ambition. The fallout from the 1953 raid backfired on the State of Arizona and destroyed the political careers of Gov. John Howard Pyle and Senator Barry Goldwater. Governor Richard Perry could very easily suffer the same fate, especially if the State of Texas has not been totally honest about the purpose of the raid and the circumstances surrounding it. Thank-You
re:re:give the children back | 2:04 p.m. April 23, 2008
Statistically the child rape is more likely to happen in the foster homes than in their own community. Texas foster care parents do not have a good track record but are still allowed to take children in.
Why not get some solid evidence first instead of the "probable abuse" stuff. The FLDS are painted guilty without proof so far. I too have a friend who married when she was barley 16, which is allowed in Utah. Her husband was about 25. If you are taught to marry early and know the joy children bring, this is something to rejoice about.
Did look at the website mentioned in the first post, looks like happy and healthy children. Won't be the same after CPS got a hold of them.
get your definitions right | 2:04 p.m. April 23, 2008
pedophile == prepubescent

No allegation exists of this crime. It is only in the sick minds of those that think a couch in a temple is a cult consumation bed, or that safety information on rat poison is proof of a suicide cult.
warren | 2:28 p.m. April 23, 2008
search 'polygamy' on youtube....very interesting
*sigh* | 2:32 p.m. April 23, 2008
well..no shortage of opinionated or uninformed people here. Last time I checked the law, CPS is required to investigate claims of abuse...i hadit happen to me (crazy ex-wife) CPS came...they saw, they left. Real questions are (to me) things like...how can you claim no abuse at all when you see pictures of Warren Jeffs on all the walls in the coumpound? He isn't in jail for shoplifting.And I agree with the post about (hypothetical) people growing pot...it's illegal and we wouldnt tolerate it. So why do we ignore polygamy in UT... Why is our legal age to marry 14? Why are these people ignoring a court order to provide DNA? Why cant they tell a straight story? It sure quacks like a duck to me.
unknown | 2:48 p.m. April 23, 2008
For all you people who whine and say Polygamy is illegal . The Government broke the law when they made it so, for the constitution says the government shall make no laws against religion ect. Most of the people will say that polygamy is not a religion but a cult, but that is how the Romans thought of the christians. The Government is able to slowly errode our rights away because the people say in this case it is okay and that case it is okay what they want to do after a time of that we are going to be wondering where our rights went.
Re: Giving the Children Back | 2:52 p.m. April 23, 2008
"Why not get some solid evidence first instead of the "probable abuse" stuff."

Try to follow along:

1. Warren Jeffs, the FLDS leader, was convicted of two counts of being an accomplice to rape for coercing a 14-year-old girl into marriage to her 19-year-old cousin. He is currently facing a trial in Arizona on 2 similar charges.

2. Calls from a possible victim claiming similar abuse occuring at the YFZ Ranch.

3. Young apparently underage and pregnant girls discovered at the ranch.

4. Uncooperative adults who refuse to give proper names of children and to identify which children belong to which parents. (Making it impossible for Texas officials to identify children living in the households where potential abuse victims lived.)

Unless you're completely in denial, there's ample evidence of possible abuse.

From your example, it appears that you're in favor of very young marriages. Was your 16 year old forced to marry the 25 year old? How young would you consider too young to get married?
RE: to unknown | 3:05 p.m. April 23, 2008
Freedom of Religion has to be monitored by our Government or else human sacrifice would still be practiced out in the open today. The Governments job is to allow religions to practice freely within what society interprets as reasonable boundaries. I do agree with you that as a nation our rights seem to be withering away, however in this case the Texas authorities found examples of child abuse and their oath to the state of Texas mandates that they take action. It is difficult for the FLDS to argue their case in my eyes when they willingly and knowing broke the law ie: (Polygamy, welfare fraud, child abuse, indangering a child etc.)
Anonymous | 3:06 p.m. April 23, 2008
I still haven't seen any evidence that would support a suspicion that the children were being abused. The phone call was bogus -- that much is clear. What is the state basing its assertion on that these children might be being abused?
Just wondering | 3:06 p.m. April 23, 2008
I'm just wondering if some of the bad press has forced this judge to be a tad more compassionate? doubt it, but at least she'll let some mom's stay with their kids. But what about those 5 and under? They need their moms too. but compassion only goes so far.
laws? | 3:09 p.m. April 23, 2008
What happens when the government breaks the law?
What should happen?
What is Texas withdrawl plan when these people are found innocent?
What happened to the law against adultery?
Spell-checker | 3:26 p.m. April 23, 2008
I hope Texas keeps the kids long enough for them to get some real schooling and learn to spell better than their FLDS friends here on this board. If this is the best FLDS homeschooling can do, those kids will need plenty of remedial work this summer.
Red | 3:33 p.m. April 23, 2008
Proud Texan: "Texas state law doesn't permit children being raped."

Technically true, but Texas CPS' lax oversight facilitates a lot of child rapes and other child abuse.

According to hope4kidz dot org, in budget year 2004, 63 Texas foster children received medical treatment for rape that occurred while in the foster care system, 142 children and teens gave birth while in the system, and about 100 received treatment for poisoning caused by medications they were given while in care. In 2006, Texas State Comptroller Carole Stayhorn said, "The state is supposed to be protecting our forgotten children, but in all too many cases these children are taken from one abusive situation and placed in another abusive situation."
still haven't seen any evidence | 3:34 p.m. April 23, 2008
Obviously you don't consider child rape as child abuse.
Country Founded 1st ammendment | 3:39 p.m. April 23, 2008
This country was founded upon religious freedom. Has anyone even read the 1st ammendment? "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

To me, it's unconstitutional to make a law prohibiting polygamy. These parents love their kids, and husbands love their wives. They hold tight to their beliefs. In all the law classes I have taken, they always decide based on what's in the best interest of the children. How is pulling them from a loving, kind environment in the best interest of the children. This group should have gone to Mexico or Canada. The US does not allow freedom of religion, only freedom from religion.
LSF | 3:42 p.m. April 23, 2008
I suspect that any of the men who "spriitually married" underaged girls who are pregnant or already have babies are long gone from Texas. If Texas authorities want their DNA samples they should look for these guys in Canada or Mexico.
Red | 3:42 p.m. April 23, 2008
Re: PROOF: "Sorry little 13 year old girl. We suspect that this old man is abusing you, but until we get him in a court of law and PROVE that you were forced to marry him and that he's sexually abusing you, you'll just have to continue being abused for a while."

The problem is that hundreds of the detainees aren't anywhere near 13.

"Sorry little 3 year old, your mommy has opinions the State does not approve. You'll just have to go with this automatic rifle-toting, ninja-clad stranger. You may never see your mommy again."
G | 4:00 p.m. April 23, 2008
"I do agree with you that as a nation our rights seem to be withering away, however in this case the Texas authorities found examples of child abuse and their oath to the state of Texas mandates that they take action."

That is incorrect. Texas CPS *claims* to have found evidence of child abuse. Until the State of Texas brings this evidence into the light of day, it's just another assertion.

I should add that CPS has already given the public ample reason for skepticism. First there was the hoaxed call they claimed as evidence, then there was the bed in the temple that was supposed to evidence. CPS locked up 20-30 adults because they incorrectly guessed their ages, and spent more than a week trying to get an actual count of many people they took from the ranch.

Even if CPS isn't biased against this group, they have at least given us cause to question their competence. I will reserve judgment against these parents until this comes out in a real trial, then we'll see if Ms. Voss becomes the next Mike Nifong.
Re: Red | 4:00 p.m. April 23, 2008
Sorry little 3 year old, we think your mommy and daddy want to force you into an arranged marriage with an old man as soon as you're old enough to bare children. The state of Texas does not approve of this, so we're going to take you to a safe place until we're sure that your mommy and daddy aren't planning to abuse you as soon as they think you're old enough to be abused.
To avengeance | 4:03 p.m. April 23, 2008
It is interesting to see you suggest that the FLDS are so "self-sufficient". I guess with every spiritually married mother on welfare they can afford to be self sufficient. I think when the dust settles the FLDS will not get the last laugh as you suggest. I personally don't think this situation is a laughing matter. Most sad for the kids but I believe it is for the right reasons. The cycle must be broken. I'm sorry, but the crying mothers - they are part of the problem.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

previousnext

Latest comments

A "beloved holiday tradition"? OK, that just scares me.

Utes need Wide to run wild

Silly Cougar fans. "I don't see a huge upgrade other than Wynn hits a deep...

Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin

a typical conservative intellectual. 'nough said.

Thunder rolls by Jazz

hey miles let me break it down for YOU,your the clown whose posts nobody...

Letters: Climate debate over

The downfall of the modern American conservative movement is because of the...

Utah celebrates Real Salt Lake Day

You don't care about your own son's teeball team?!? How sad! I,...

Hey, when the Jazz win the trophy, I'm all for "Jazz Day", a parade and lots...

Utes need Wide to run wild

Nice cover zoobie troll. No true Ute fan on the planet would ever measure the...

Yes people get on here all the time claiming they are from another school....

Thunder rolls by Jazz

to Todd,miles here,we all know CJ is the best young player on the Jazz,OC...

Advertisements