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Texas custody hearings under way Chaos at polygamy custody hearing
(about 6 hours later)
The court hearing to decide the fate of 416 children removed from a ranch owned by a breakaway Mormon sect has begun amid chaotic courtroom scenes. The US judge deciding the fate of 416 children removed from a breakaway Mormon sect has struggled to control a first chaotic day of custody hearings.
Judge Barbara Walther suspended proceedings after just 40 minutes to allow lawyers representing the children and their parents to view evidence. Judge Barbara Walther had to suspend proceedings for an hour to allow hundreds of lawyers for the children and their parents to view evidence.
The custody hearing resumed about an hour later. Lawyers argued whether the Texas case violated religious freedom rights.
Police raided the ranch last week after receiving reports that a 16-year-old girl had been sexually abused.Police raided the ranch last week after receiving reports that a 16-year-old girl had been sexually abused.
Detectives were looking for evidence of a marriage between the girl and a 50-year-old man. "The court is not in the position and certainly does not intend to rule about someone's religious practices and their freedom of religion," said Judge Walther.
Under Texan law, girls younger than 16 cannot marry, even with parental approval. She was forced to suspend proceedings after just 40 minutes amid the objections, in what is reportedly the largest child-welfare case in US history.
"What I'm trying to get to is whether or not these children should be returned to their parents or whether there's enough information that they need to be retained in the custody of the (child welfare) department," she said.
Isolated upbringingIsolated upbringing
Detectives had raided the ranch looking for evidence of a marriage between the 16-year-old girl and a 50-year-old man.
Sect members believe men must have at least three wives to get to heaven
Under Texan law, girls younger than 16 cannot marry, even with parental approval.
As a result of the raid, all children on the ranch aged between six months and 17 years of age were placed in emergency state custody.As a result of the raid, all children on the ranch aged between six months and 17 years of age were placed in emergency state custody.
Judge Walther will now decide whether any or all of the children will be returned to their families.
Texas law states that if sexual abuse is happening in a home and a parent does not put a stop to it, then the parent can lose custody of the child.Texas law states that if sexual abuse is happening in a home and a parent does not put a stop to it, then the parent can lose custody of the child.
One of the judge's tasks will therefore be to determine whether or not the ranch constitutes a "home" under state law. One of the judge's tasks is to determine whether or not the ranch constitutes a "home" under state law.
It's the furthest thing away from what we do here Dan, sect member
In making her judgement, she may also weigh up the dangers of placing children who have grown up in such an isolated location into mainstream society.In making her judgement, she may also weigh up the dangers of placing children who have grown up in such an isolated location into mainstream society.
Some 350 lawyers are taking part in the hearing on behalf of the children and their parents.Some 350 lawyers are taking part in the hearing on behalf of the children and their parents.
The unprecedented size of the case is also putting pressure on the state's child services division, and if the state is granted permanent custody of the children then it will have difficulty finding foster homes for all of them.The unprecedented size of the case is also putting pressure on the state's child services division, and if the state is granted permanent custody of the children then it will have difficulty finding foster homes for all of them.
Except for 27 adolescent boys, all of the children are being held in a domed coliseum on land used for the San Angelo state fair.Except for 27 adolescent boys, all of the children are being held in a domed coliseum on land used for the San Angelo state fair.
Mormon splitMormon split
The Yearning for Zion ranch belongs to a breakaway Mormon sect called the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.The Yearning for Zion ranch belongs to a breakaway Mormon sect called the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Warren Jeffs led the breakaway Mormon sect from 2002 Warren Jeffs was on the FBI's most wanted while on the run
The sect is led by polygamist Warren Jeffs, who is currently in jail as an accomplice to rape after he forced a 14-year-old girl to marry her cousin.The sect is led by polygamist Warren Jeffs, who is currently in jail as an accomplice to rape after he forced a 14-year-old girl to marry her cousin.
The self-proclaimed prophet is currently awaiting trial in Arizona on charges of being an accomplice to four counts of incest and sexual conduct with a minor stemming from two arranged marriages.The self-proclaimed prophet is currently awaiting trial in Arizona on charges of being an accomplice to four counts of incest and sexual conduct with a minor stemming from two arranged marriages.
Members of the sect have denied the latest allegations of abuse.Members of the sect have denied the latest allegations of abuse.
"It's the furthest thing away from what we do here," said Dan, a sect member, according to the Associated Press news agency."It's the furthest thing away from what we do here," said Dan, a sect member, according to the Associated Press news agency.
"There's nothing that's more disliked and more trained against," he added."There's nothing that's more disliked and more trained against," he added.
The 10,000-strong sect, which dominates the towns of Colorado City in Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, split from the mainstream Mormon church more than a century ago.The 10,000-strong sect, which dominates the towns of Colorado City in Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, split from the mainstream Mormon church more than a century ago.
Members believe a man must marry at least three wives in order to ascend to heaven.Members believe a man must marry at least three wives in order to ascend to heaven.
Women are meanwhile taught that their path to heaven depends on being subservient to their husband.Women are meanwhile taught that their path to heaven depends on being subservient to their husband.
Polygamy is illegal in the US, but the authorities have reportedly been reluctant to confront the FLDS for fear of sparking a tragedy similar to the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, which led to the deaths of about 80 members.Polygamy is illegal in the US, but the authorities have reportedly been reluctant to confront the FLDS for fear of sparking a tragedy similar to the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, which led to the deaths of about 80 members.