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The question of why Texas authorities believed it was necessary to take ALL 416 children from the polygamist compound near El Dorado was answered Tuesday in black and white. Court documents show that when investigators entered the compound and began interviewing mothers and children, they found a “wide-spread pattern and practice” of young girls (as young as 13 or 14) who were conditioned to marry and accept sexual activity with adult men. Young boys were also expected to marry when they became adults, sometimes to underage girls.
The state decided this places all of the children at the compound, both male and female, at risk of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. But the influx of so many children threatens to overwhelm the system. The temporary shelters in places were already inadequate to handle 416 children and 139 adult women. Aid is coming in from around the country that is compatible with the FLDS culture. Instead of clothing, some are sending sewing machines and cloth so the women can make their clothes.
Experts have also cautioned investigators to go slowly with their questioning. Some of the adult women have had a lifetime of conditioning to make them fearful of “outsiders.” Making matters even more difficult, the children have been reluctant or unable to identify their biological parents.
Texas authorities say they believe they have taken all of the children from the compound. But where their lives go from here is a big, frightening unknown.
- David Mattingly, 360° Correspondent
Comments to the 360° blog are moderated. What does that mean?
| Karri, Minnesota |
April 9th, 2008 1:25 pm ET I’m all for freedom of religion but I don’t think this is what the 1st amendment had in mind when it was signed into law. Religion isn’t suppose to be abusive and controlling. Religion is a beautiful thing that’s suppose to make you feel happy and enlightened. These men who are incharge of groups like this have god complexes and aren’t in it for the religious aspect but for their own selfish needs. These fundlementalist need to be stopped because this has nothing to do with religion and I hope that these women and children get the necessary help they’ll need to recover from this horrible situation. |
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| Barbara-Dalton Ga |
April 9th, 2008 1:52 pm ET I hope 360 stays on this story. I have never been so shocked in my |
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| Slater |
April 9th, 2008 3:09 pm ET What do you do with 416 victims of pedophilia? We get overwhelmed with one victim. What a travesty. These angles are in need of help and our system is inadequate to handle it. What about the other ranches mentioned last night in other states? We better be ready! |
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| Mary Heriot |
April 9th, 2008 3:15 pm ET Some years ago, I read that a polygamous man has one legal wife by law, and the rest of his wives and children receive AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) from the US government.. Have you found this to be true? |
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| Barry, IL |
April 9th, 2008 3:18 pm ET I still don’t understand one issue after watching half a dozen news the crisis. If they are now claiming that the Texas administration freed 416 children abused over the years, where is the role of the Texas administration until the tragedy reaches this proportion? Too late to act as some heroes and heroines, who freed so many. How come they fail to see such tragedy unfolding for some years. Even worse, the polgamists leader, Jeffs, is in imprison for child-abuse related matter, and yet the administration failed to follow up and monitor what goes on in these male-chauvinism-promoting religious groups. It may also not be far-fethed to conclude that Texas may be just one example. Elsewhere, this child-abuse tragedy may be unfolding as we speak. Other areas that are aligned to same or similar groups need to be checked. |
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| Tita |
April 9th, 2008 4:48 pm ET Can you please inform us as to how they earn their livings? This compound took a lot of money to build, where is the cash coming from? Thanks. |
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| Veronique Vollans |
April 9th, 2008 8:25 pm ET Could they not have taken all men from the compound, and leave women and children in the comfort of what they are used to? |
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| Annie Kate |
April 9th, 2008 9:12 pm ET I wonder what will become of the mothers, women who have been indoctrinated from birth that the life they were living was acceptable and spiritually acceptable to God. Every report I have heard says they are good mothers. Yet, the children may be placed in foster homes and the mothers lose their children, perhaps for good. The mothers have already been victimized by their religion and now it looks like they will be the victimized again by having their children taken from them. Is there not any way to re-educate these women and help them learn to live independently away from their sect so that one day they may have their children back? I hope the mothers and their needs are not forgotten in all of this. Its not like they had a choice either. Annie Kate |
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