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US sect children set to go home Texas sect children return home
(about 5 hours later)
A judge in Texas has signed an order allowing parents to take home more than 400 children who had been removed from a polygamist sect.A judge in Texas has signed an order allowing parents to take home more than 400 children who had been removed from a polygamist sect.
Parents were set to begin collecting their children, who were seized from the sect's ranch by state authorities in April. Parents have started collecting children from foster care facilities. They were seized from the sect's ranch by state authorities in April.
State officials had accused sect members of abusing the children. Officials had accused sect members of forcing young girls into under-age sex.
But last week the state's Supreme Court said officials had failed to prove the children faced immediate danger. But last week the Texas Supreme Court said officials had failed to prove the children faced immediate danger.
Following Monday's ruling the first parents had emotional reunions with their children, the Associated Press news agency reported.
"It's just a great day," said Nancy Dockstader, as she was reunited with the first of five children near San Antonio.
'Grateful''Grateful'
Monday's ruling placed conditions on the parents, including prohibiting them from leaving the state without court permission and ordering them to take parenting classes, the Associated Press news agency reported. The ruling placed conditions on the parents, including prohibiting them from leaving the state without court permission and ordering them to take parenting classes, AP said.
They were also ordered not to interfere with the investigation into child abuse and to allow the children to undergo medical tests if necessary, AP said. They were also ordered not to interfere with the investigation into child abuse and to allow the children to undergo medical tests if necessary.
Welfare workers must be allowed unannounced visits and any journey within the state of more than 100 miles (160km) must be given prior permission.Welfare workers must be allowed unannounced visits and any journey within the state of more than 100 miles (160km) must be given prior permission.
US reporter Paul Anthony on the biggest child custody case in US historyUS reporter Paul Anthony on the biggest child custody case in US history
Willie Jessop, an elder for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, said: "We're really grateful to get the order signed."Willie Jessop, an elder for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, said: "We're really grateful to get the order signed."
It was not immediately clear how many of the children would return to the ranch.It was not immediately clear how many of the children would return to the ranch.
A lawyer for some of the children, Andrea Sloan, said many might remain in care until Tuesday.A lawyer for some of the children, Andrea Sloan, said many might remain in care until Tuesday.
"I know the parents agree that the return needs to be orderly and safe. We don't want parents rushing the doors of the shelter," she said."I know the parents agree that the return needs to be orderly and safe. We don't want parents rushing the doors of the shelter," she said.
The sect has always denied any abuse took place and the parents had won two earlier court rulings that the children were not in immediate danger.The sect has always denied any abuse took place and the parents had won two earlier court rulings that the children were not in immediate danger.
The children were taken from the sect's Yearning For Zion ranch near the town of Eldorado in raids that began on 3 April.The children were taken from the sect's Yearning For Zion ranch near the town of Eldorado in raids that began on 3 April.
Half of the children taken into foster care were no older than five.Half of the children taken into foster care were no older than five.
Officials had alleged there was systemic sexual and physical abuse, including the "grooming" of girls to accept sex with older men once reaching puberty.Officials had alleged there was systemic sexual and physical abuse, including the "grooming" of girls to accept sex with older men once reaching puberty.
The sect teaches that polygamy brings glorification in heaven.The sect teaches that polygamy brings glorification in heaven.
It is a splinter sect of the Mormon Church, which officially abandoned polygamy more than a century ago.It is a splinter sect of the Mormon Church, which officially abandoned polygamy more than a century ago.