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Foster care for Jeffs' apparent child bride

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nosugrof | 11:28 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Forcing Barbara Jessop to take the fifth is the lastest dirty trick in the CPS bag of dirty tricks. CPS and their favorite judge rigged this case in advance by suspending the right of discovery. Some of the mothers have reported that children run and cry when the doorbell rings. It is long past time for this to be removed.
Same Judge | 11:40 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
This is the same, original judge who allowed this Texas mess to grow to epic portions. No surprise with this rulling.
Gal50 | 11:46 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008
That a few months after the raid, only seven children are clearly at risk is a big improvement for the FLDS and CPS. It seems that both groups are for the most part on the same page.

Not having read Carolyn's book, which I understand discusses Barbara Jessop, it seems strange that she would risk having her children return to CPS custody, especially when at least one of them prefers to stay with her.

One has to wonder what is going on in the mind of the daughter. Does she still feel married to Warren Jeffs or is she once again a school child? Is she able to date and will she be able to one day get married to someone her own age who is not incarcerated? Will she become an old maid simply because at 12 years-old she was handed off to a man who landed in jail and may await a long sentence? Does CPS require these families to recognize that their teen girls are single again or does CPS allow them to believe that they are married and must simply wait a few years to live a married lifestyle?
Comments continue below
Hope the get it right this time | 12:09 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
I just hope the CPS got there ducks in a row this time and it does not turn into another fiasco.
Ohio | 12:13 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Excellent result - I wish for nothing but the best for this child and hopefully her mother will finally face reality and begin protecting her daughter.
Good decision | 12:14 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
It was especially necessary to get that little girl into a place where she can be protected. The court accomplished that. Good for them.
MoJules | 12:18 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
I got the impression that this mother was playing the typical games from this group and guess what? It backfired!!! I think that judges do not take to kindly to people trying to hide behind the 5th, hope it was worth it for this mother, to lose her daughter. But she was a good follower, she did what she was told, again. She first did what she was told, to let her 12 year old daughter have sex with an old man, and then she did what she was told to protect him. We are told that a Prophet will never lead us astray, haven't these people figured out that it is not God's will to sacrifice your children?
Anonymous | 12:17 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Finally a rational result. Clearly the girl is at risk of abuse. Even if there haven't been any under age marriages in the last two years there is no guarantee that a new profit might be designated to start performing them. There is a risk to this girl. However I don't see the same risk to the boy. The only risk he has is being exposed to an ideology that is at odds with mainstream society. It is a person's actions not their thoughts that should subject them to the loss of their children.
The Deuce | 12:49 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Once again we are back with this story that will never go away. First,no one forced Barbara Jessop to take the fifth in her testimony. This is part of a strategy on part of her lawyer. Part of the problem we have here is that the FLDS create more problems themselves than anyone else does. Nor did CPS and "their favorite judge" rig anything in this case. It is not suprising that the FLDS mothers report that children run and cry when the doorbell rings. If this is all they are taught from birth it is not surpising. We could simply clear this up if the FLDS would practice what they preach about being honest. Stand up and tell the truth. I support that each individual has the right to the faith of their choice. But when the laws are broken this is not right and this group has to be accountable. Where are the leaders when this takes place, they run and hide. Not much of a faith to me. I also blame the LDS Church and the State of Utah for not stopping this when they could have back 100 years ago.
Do women marry twice??? | 12:52 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
If this girl is already married as CPS alleges, what is the risk to her? Girls don't marry twice and her husband is arrested.

Let's be fair to the individuals and their families. what kind of foster home is this girl in and doesn't it increase her trauma to put her in foster care????

No one including FLDS are interested in MARRIED teenagers!
Not sure | 1:16 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
why Willie is so upset. Warren has been tearing apart families for years. The fact that this girl's mother showed no emotion upon learning her daughter would be taken from her speaks volumes.
Maybe Someday... | 1:20 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
The vast majority of FLDS followers will realize that forcing young 12- to 15-year-old girls to marry and immediately begin having children is wrong, is abuse, is, in many cases, incest, and is not sanctioned by any true religious doctrine.

Until then, the states of Texas, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and other states where this type of sexual abuse is occurring, must do all that they can to prevent these abusive practices from continuing.
to GAL50 | 1:21 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Excellent questions regarding the 12-year-old's marital status and what is to become of the rest of her life. Since the marriage was "illegal" I hope she gets the help she needs and can start being a kid again.
Damage Done | 1:31 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
The damage has already been done. The little girl has already been betrayed by the only people she trusts and now she is being manipulated by the very people who abused her or facilitated her abuse.

It would take years, probably a lifetime, of therapy to undo the damage that her parents, relatives, and church leaders have inflicted on her.

It's so sad that nobody within the FLDS community was able to take a stand against this abuse. The only people who have spoken out against this abuse are former members who have been excommunitcated and ostracized from the community and are now labeled as liars by those who still don't understand that they've been abusing their children.

For years.
Blame the Judge? | 1:32 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
So it's the judge's fault that Warren Jeffs rapes underage girls?
Bruce | 1:38 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Good point. Warren is in jail. By the time he gets out, if ever, this girl will be of age.
Where's the danger in her staying at home?
Her mother can't stand by while she marries again so what in the world does the gestapo hope to accomplish by moving her to foster care?
Sick state.
JND | 1:39 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Oh, wait! I thought no one would be removed.
Re: Do women marry twice??? | 1:42 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
"If this girl is already married as CPS alleges, what is the risk to her?"

Duh!!!

The girl is 14 and she's already been married for two years. The people who SHOULD have been protecting her are the ones who forced her into the marriage and facilitated her abuse.

NOT AT RISK???

This is the twisted thinking of the FLDS and their supporters.
Stanley L. | 1:44 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Warren Jeffs is a evil false prophet. How can any man do child rapes and make everyone think they are from god? It looks like Warren's god is the devil.
Hmmmmm!!!!! | 1:47 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
MoJules: Who said anything about the girl having sex. What people outside of the FLDS think marraige is all about and what the FLDS really believe marraige is all about are WORLDS APART!!!! You who judge, don't even know the facts of what to judge, just your own narrow opinion.
Cosmo | 1:52 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
My humble perception is that the entire process is so tainted with prejudice, that it is impossible for
a fair and just trial at all.
I would suggest a change in venue, which would at least remove this questionable Judge Walther.

If there is guilt that the State can prove, then fine, however let's stop the "Monkey Shines" once and for all. Have the State of Texas clear the air,
and just stick to the facts, wherever they lead.
P.S. I find underage marriage/pedophilia disgusting.
Anonymous | 1:55 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Go get 'em. It's time to stop fooling ourselves about this stuff being acceptable because its' 'religious'.
One mother to another.... | 1:58 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
If that had been my daughter, I would have done what ever they asked to keep her in my home. These poor women who are fooled into thinking it is God's will for a 12 year old to marry a man old enough to be her grandfather.... need help... so how can they help their children when they believe this?

patriarchal systems | 2:04 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Just one more tragic commentary on life within poisonous patriarchal systems.
Risk | 2:58 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Not at risk because she's already married???

What is wrong with you people?

She's only 14!

Warren Jeffs already forced her into a marriage when she was only 12!

What's to prevent him from reassigning her to a different husband who will continue to abuse her?
John Pack Lambert | 3:11 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
When did 14-year-olds become "little girls"?
Also, why do people think this girl is at risk of abuse. With her husband safely away in jail, can't we assume she will spend the rest of her life as a virtual widow?
That might not be the best course for her, but I do not see how she is at any risk of being sexually abused by anyone. She seems actually to be at the lowest risk of any 14-year-old girl among the FLDS.
tigerlily | 3:24 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
to damage done: obviously you haven't kept up with the story. the girl wanted nothing to do with the court. this isn't what she wants and the court as refrused to hear her out.
Comment from FLDS Please | 3:27 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Could someone who is FLDS please clarify whether the marriages of these very young women are consummated immediately or is there a time period that passes?

I do know that in some other societies very young people have been "married" long before the couple actually consummates the marriage. Sort of making family or political alliances for the future, I guess.
tigerlily | 3:29 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
to do girls marry twice: there is no risk to the girl because the husband is in jail and will probably be there for the rest of his life. yes girls marry twice sometimes even 4 or 5 times, not in polygamist relationships of course
Interloper | 3:34 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
It is 'normal' for the leaders of the FLDS to reassign 'wives' at a whim. Warren Jeffs has scores of'em. Even the FLDS elite has accepted that he will not around for a while, so it is likely his 'wives' are being reassigned to other men. For all we know, the child at issue already has been or will be. And, let's not forget that her father, FLDS official Merril Jessop, has been mysteriously 'missing' since the raid of the Yearning for Zion Ranch. He is still available to continue the same illegal practices he has engaged in for years. As for Willie Jessop's claim that the FLDS is stopping underage 'marriages,' there is no rational reason to believe he is telling the truth.

I hope this child, as well as Teresa Jeffs, eventually finish growing up under normal circumstances.
Judy | 4:06 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Wives have been reassigned in the past. Even if Jeffs is gone for good, she is still at risk.

Bruce | 4:25 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Medical tests indicated that this young lady has never been sexually active.
She's a virgin folks.
Where's the risk in allowing her to stay home?
Her husband won't be out of jail for a long, long time.
It seems that all the good monogamous folks just can't seem to understand that just because a young lady is married, does NOT mean that she is sexually active.
re tigerlily 3:29pm | 4:31 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
of course the FLDS marry more than once. How do you think Jeffs married his own father's wives? What do you think happens when a father/husband is banished and the family is "reassigned"? They are remarried...

Cats | 4:34 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Barbara Jessop has proved she is an unfit mother. Nothing more is required. Thank goodness they took this child away. They should take the other one, two. Warren Jeffs has been breaking up families for years, so Willie's argument about breaking up families is completely bogus.

Go Texas. Keep it up. Maybe these children will have a chance someday.

I hope these people will finally get out of denial and believe Warren Jeffs himself now that he has admitted publicly that he is a FALSE PROPHET and one of the most WICKED men of this despensation.
Cats | 4:38 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Warren Jeffs is NOT her husband. The "marriage" is illegal and a fraud.
Sugar Momma | 4:51 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
You know, this would be pretty tragic if Barbara and Merril Jessop actually cared about their children.

I would love to see both of them doing jail time at the end of all this.
re Cats 4:38pm | 4:54 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
yeah - it was a fraud - all fun and games - they were just kidding around - like kids having a tea party.

not only should this woman lose her children, she should go to jail for child endangerment. If I had my way, she'd be charged with child prostitution for trading her daughter for favors with the prophet.

I know people trade their daughters for dowerys (sp?) in 3rd world countries (and even some not-so-3rd-world) but here in America people should have freedom to choose.

This little 12 yr old girl had no freedom to choose - nor had the where-with-all to choose. She was pimped out to the master.

Book 'em, Danno
Anonymous | 5:38 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
I would hope that by now LDS people would realize these FLDS people make all Mormons look bad.
re Bruce 4:25pm | 5:57 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
dude... they FORCED a 12 yr old to marry a 50 yr old... sex or not, that's sick. Not only that - it's REALLY bad parenting.

what's the risk of her staying at home? Please take some time to think about that....
It's All Nuts! | 5:58 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
This got pulled because Jeffs is after her? Jeffs is in prison. Holy Moroni, how is that a threat?!
Cats | 6:34 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
To Anonymous 5:38. The FLDS are not Mormons. However, I would agree with you, the FLDS are an embarrassment to those of us who are.
Gal 50 | 7:02 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Are you writing a book?

What should be said here is about being America
We have Federal Laws here being violated by the State of Texas and this Judge that has no wisdom

And now as the plot grows without evidence the problem continues
Helen Mar Kimball | 7:25 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
What's all the fuss?
Anonymous | 7:50 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Sorry Cats but the FLDS are calling themselves Mormon. In fact they claim to be the original and therefore purest of Mormons.
As far as mainstream America is concerned, like it or not, it sees them both as wacky cultists.
sharon | 8:22 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Why are the 14 or 16 yr olds on the Women Gymnastic's team Women but the 14 or 16 year old FLDS are children?
JND | 8:24 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Bruce,

"Medical tests indicated that this young lady has never been sexually active. She's a virgin folks."

And how is it that you know this?
Please Help Me? | 9:58 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
How is this young lady at risk? Her supposed husband is in jail for multiple life terms and contact by all spouses and children are not allowed. Seems more punitive to the mother, than a safty concern for the daughter!
awesomeron | 10:01 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Flame Board got my Post Toasted, I know why Sorry Mods!!! I get to emotional over this. In part because i do not get the supporters and their way of thinking. She is a child and was to young to be married the first time or for that matter any other time. This is an issue of improper sex with underage children, it has little or nothing to do with faith or religion except when being used to dress the issue and make it seem okay. Sex with minors and children by adults in the name of Religion is not right and The Laws say so in every State, the age and penalty differing from State to State. However 12, 13, 14, is not legal in any State and most Countries. The child being with her mother and connected to the Group is not in a Safe Environment. CPS and the Judges are right.
tigerlily | 10:46 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
anonymous:: the flds are not mormon and haven't been mormon in over 100 years.
Claire | 11:29 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
How do the flds support their lifestyle when statistics show that there are more boys born into this world than girls making the lifestyle unsustainable, unless you remove the excess boys, and marry younger and younger girls?

This religion is dangerous, as it breeds criminals, and the children absolutely need to be protected.

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Betty Jessop, right, leaves the courthouse with other FLDS members including Barbara Jessop, left. One of Barbara Jessop's children was placed in state custody.

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