Las Vegas NowTexas Drops Half of Cases in Polygamist Sect Raid
Texas authorities are acknowledging that many of the children seized during a raid on a polygamous sect's ranch can safely live with their parents or guardians.
Since the April 3 raid on the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, 235 children's custody cases have been dropped. That means fewer than half of the 440 children seized remain bound by a court order to stay in Texas, attend parenting classes or be available for unannounced visits by Child Protective Services.
CPS spokesman Patrick Crimmins says more cases involving families from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are likely to be dropped.
Crimmins says the dismissals do not mean that abuse never occurred, only that many of the children can safely live with a parent or other relative -- something that sect members and lawyers argued early on in the chaotic custody case.
Cynthia Martinez, spokeswoman for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which represented dozens of mothers in the case says the dismissal shows that CPS should have obtained evidence that children were at risk before breaking up families.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
