please tell me all about the trial. I hope there will be a trial against the FLDS because of building a monastery for abuse children and taking away their identity and also the identity of their mothers by sheltering their criminal fathers, guilty to play the authority the state astablishes. Like the president Mr. Warren Jeffs missused children in his temple for his own religion !!! When mothers will wake up and stay behind their chhild???

Have these women and children been able to watch a tv, listen to a radio, enjoy some of the we do everyday...maybe talked into getting the long underwear off if for no other reason than to be cooler. On their own the mothers might be able to do ok with help..sure most could be bakers, cooks, housekeepers, etc.to earn money if they were promised a better life on the outdside to keep their children. Probally most are on some kind of welfare anyhow...only to give it to their husband's or leader's...might as well have it for themselves and children to make a better safe life for themselves and their children.

Susan, are any of these young girls pregnant? Are any of the mothers pregnant? If so, will their newborns be taken into protective custody?

I hope that the lawyers and the state can continue to get enough information to keep these children safe and make a positive change in their lives and maybe even their mother's lives. Teaching these women and children what a normal family is like or should be like would influence their lives for many years to come.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Nobody is for child abuse, but this is now child abuse by the state of Texas. Under the guise of "preventing" abuse, the state has caused hundreds of women and children to be put in a situation that they now live in fear of losing each other. Imagine a 5 yr old child who is threatened with loss of their family and hasnt a clue as to what is going on. Reminds one of what Nazi Germany was probably like. This is outrageous that the state has decided it can do this.

If a baptist girl now decides to call the authorities and say that she is being abused, will the authorities raid the baptist church and remove all the women and children?

We are the laughing stock of the world now with this idiotic move.

Hi Anderson,
I very much enjoy your show nearly every evening. I found your program tonight on Senator Hillary Clinton very interesting. I am just wondering if you or CNN are planning to air a similar program regarding Senator Barrack Obama in the next day or two, PRIOR to the PA primary. Thank you so much.
Michelle Balke

i believe these women have been brainwashed to the point they are probabloy lying to the newsmen and wormen

they probably don;t know what the truth really is

Anderson, Erica – certainly the paper trail for the Welfare checks (ie applications for) can narrow down the how many and which children belong to which mother (their ages, etc) They had to file something somewhere and what did they fill in for a father's name?

papertrail...........follow every paper trail they can.

And didn't they say at one time the 16 yr old Sarah had been treated at a hospital for broken ribs when this story first broke. Where are those records?? Where and who treated her (someone reported that when story first broke)

Anderson
If these FLDS childern are not registered at birth, What is to say that any childern where not murdered at birth, because of possible birth defects or because of the gender threat? It would seen that these parents have a way of filtering the boys from the girls. The boys are pretty much kick to the curb because of thier possible threat to the older men in this group. Has any one considered the cemetary for unmarked graves in cult.

Carole Dagenais
Ontario Canada

All those kids should be taken away from their parents. If they do not have a birth certificates for those kids they do not have claim for the kids. Life is not perfect the kids should be able to over come being separated from their parents. All siblings should be kept together at all cost. The kids should not be allowed to be with their parents alone at any time because the parents will try to influence the kids. all those women should be put on probation for seven years and have a restraining order served against the men in the compound they are not allowed to be around those women. Those women are just like kids themselves. A minor ought not to be guardian of a minor, he or sheis unfit to govern others who does not know how to govern himself or herself. Truth is the mother of justice. She who is silent appears to consent. He who does not speak the truth is a traitot to the truth.

How much welfare money does the government send to the polygamy compound in Texas a month. Are we taxpayers paying for each of the children? Are the men in the compound not responsible for the financial support of all their children? If they are receiving welfare for the children, why doesn't the welfare dept check them out to make the fathers support their children.

Most all of the women pictured at the FLDS hearings seem to be young. Where are the older women, like ages 65 ?

I thought slavery had ended. It is obvious that the men of the FLDS are practicing slavery and sex abuse under the guise of religion. I am appalled that anyone would be upset that the state of Texas went in to free these children and women. This is 2009 and slavery is outlawed in our country.

Anderson,
Thank you for your coverage of this event.
I noticed when watching the video of the tour of the LDS compound that there was a color page that seemed to portray a Bible story. I believe this picture portrayed Rachel, the second wife of Jacob. I wonder if this is part of a "stay sweet" policy, that their Bible studies focus on their future role as sister wives even as young children?
Just thought it was interesting. Thanks again for your excellent work.

I've seen children, I've seen mothers and I've seen wives. What I haven't seen are any fathers or husbands. Do these so-called patriarchs plan to hide behind the women forever?

Do these children have social security cards as required by federal law?

It never ceases to amaze me at how easy it is in your country to circumvent the same bill of rights you are so proud of. An anonymous phone call by a would be hoaxer becomes the tool and excuse by which the state under the pretext of child abuse (also so far unsubstantiated) is able to impose its will and ultimately what they consider their interpretation of how one can live or not live. I don't blame the FLDS to want to segregate themselves from the rest of society. As it stands; society hasn't done too well in general in the USA. Crime, sexual abuse of all sorts, corruption of officials, a broken government, rampant profetiering to the disadvantage of the middle class, a totally broken border,just to name a few.

Not content of having to deal with all that.. You have to mount a crusade of persecutory proportions, lopping everyone in the same category and label them child abusers?. Then the rest of the country looks over in judgment over issues they know nothing about.

As a species we tend to demonize and ostracize the people we don't understand or, even take time to understand. youthen proceed to plot their demise of a whole community (which is what is happening as we speak. Because..."Maybe" something happened three doors down the street; then, a whole peaceful community has to suffer.Never mind the harm you are doing to the children and those caught in this mad cap adventure, as long as your "interpretation of societal conformity" is adhered to.
Freedom of religion? The pursuit of happiness? the land of the free?
We living abroad don't see any of this anymore.
Alas the USA has become George Orwell's 1984. I wonder why most of the world is watching you now suspiciously. Could it be anything you're doing?

My two great uncles Blackmore started the polgamy group in BC. So I have some knowledge of the goings on in these groups. I think these kids need to be placed in LDS home because many of our beliefs are the same. The big difference was of course in 1890 when the LDS church put an end to polgamy. Then the other thing is all the very bad things that monster Warren Jeffs has put into place. This could help them a just into this scary world as they see it now. Also on another note my aunt who married her uncle(the same uncle which was a founder) and had all of her children with him then left the FLDS because of all the things she saw wrong in their beliefs. We have had some good conversation on her time in the FLDS. Two of her children are still in it but the rest are not although they remain very close to them.

TO SUSAN: Tonight on Anderson Cooper you made a comment, something along the lines of "why should these toddler's be misplaced from their families just because abuse is happening two houses down?" Well what about whenever these toddler's hit puberty and start enduring that "abuse that is happening two houses down"? You are really ignorant!

Abuses ......of children, adult women, wefare system (US taxpayer).. I can't believe that in the USA, we allow an Organized Welfare Religious Income Generating scheme hiding behind a inhumane traditions described as a non-profit Religion. This society lives off of the USA taxpayer, yet it wants to be private. The women have no intention to work in the real world and pay taxes. The taxpayer already supports this organization whether the mothers have their children or not.

The men are not accepting any responsibility. The Religious practice would cease to exist if the men breeding the females would be required to pay child support. Ask the men who believe in this .....are they willing to pay child support for their children to continue their practice. Unfortunately, they are able to continue because our system of govt is willing to continue to pay these women not to Work...while allowing the men breeding them to pool the finances .....receive grants....etc. to build the very so called private society.....FUNDED BY PUBLIC MONIES....

WHAT A SCAM AND OUTRAGE.... THE MEN OWE THE US TAXPAYER AND CHILD SUPPORT.. AND TRAINING ....AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTHCARE FOR THESE WOMEN AND CHILDREN..... MAKE THEM MEN PAY OR PUT THEM AWAY.....

I now think that may be Rebbecca at the well.

I believe in this case Texas is blaming the victims rather then the abuser(s). The call was about a girl who assumed to be abused by a older husband and the fact that she is underage is one reason I do recall for the raid. Only because they found 416 Children & a mattress or bed in a temple( they suspected with no facts to prove at the time for abuse) they go all nuts and remove the children. The children (0-18 years) and mothers are not to blame. It's mostly the men that are consider leaders that are husbands (or abuser which have been proven). I remember a woman on the phone on CNN or another news channel stating her child was spanked repeatedly and when he screamed in pain his face was ran under water and the cycle when on until the father or leader was sure he BROKE ( got the child/children frighted of him). As this one done at a age they THINK they would never remember but still live with the fear of the FATHER. A) What would happen if the mother tried to stop the Spanking? It's not the mothers nor children's fault it's the fault of the the FATHER or LEADER(Idiot in my mind). I say give the children back after they are interviewed ( with or without a statement of abuse from child) to attempt to find evidence. Place them back into the family care and watch them closely, check up on them 1,2 or 3 times a week without prior notice. If they have proof of abuse toss the abusers in jail and make a lug nut ( car tire bolt) out of the key.

I hope the attorneys for the mothers of these children get the proper representation and treatment, so they can defend their rights and protect their children.

I'm suprised to see CNN and Anderson Cooper were being more fair in the coverage of this situation, given how quick to condemnation most networks and programs have been towards these FLDS people.

I hope the families can be reunited soon and the sensationalism will die down, so those people can return to their lives as soon as possible.

Why haven't the men involved been shown on TV? It makes it appear as though the media is 'protecting" these men. Who are they? Also, since some of the boys were thrown out of the compound, it would be interesting to hear their stories.

Print media in Canada reported Friday that some of the children taken into care in Texas are actually Canadian citizens. There is a large FLDS community in Bountiful, British Columbia, Canada and so these children are probably from there. The next question: how many American children are being kept in possibly questionable conditions in British Columbia? And will residents of the Bountiful community be DNA tested to trace family groupings?

I completely agree with this evenings guest (who broke away from the poligamist society). No matter if "Sarah" was or is a fictional character; it just does not matter. When authorities raided the compond there was still evidence of sexual misconduct.

Her example..any potential neighbor could call CPS on a family under fictional grounds. It is however up to CPS to determine if there are grounds of misconduct. The caller may be suspicious by evidence determines many teenagers are pregnant under age!

Systemic sexual abuse of children should not be tolerated, no matter what affirmed religion is. What are our politicians saying about this...where do they stand on this?

something everyone needs to realize is that these kids aren't all in an abusive situation. I lived in colorado city from birth till age 13, I was never abused in any way nor were any of my siblings. my dad believed it was better to deal with things with love rather than force. but there were a verry few famiys that right out abused there children (caroline jessops family was one of them). so just because one egg is bad dose not mean they all are. there are lots of good people suffering from this raid that are guilty of nothing, just because I don't agree with some of the things thay do doesn't mean thay don't have the right to raise ther own kids. if five pregnan't teens give them a right to hold four hundred sixteen kids trial then just amagine what the courtroom will look like after thay visit a few local high schools

Re. Texas FLDS

I am a Roman Catholic that grew up in NY in a mixed predominantly Irish and Puerto Rican neighborhood. Virtually every year that I lived there, I knew of or saw more pregnant underage girls on my one city block than reported to have been found in this so called "compound" and "cult." – To surround this religious group with armored personnel carriers, armed marshals with machine guns and shot guns then raid and search their homes, forcibly take children from their families is no different than what Hitler's SS did to Jews, Stalin's NKVD did in Eastern Europe, Mao's red Guard did in China. It is a blatant and outrageous violation of the Constitution, a violation of religious freedom and the violation of the most basic of human rights. My daughters schools had more pregnant underage girls than was found in this so called “compound”, my daughters current law and philosophy classes have more girls that claim to have been abused or have been raped than Texas authorities report to have found in this community. I don't know of any Catholic church and neighborhood having been surrounded due to our priests raping young boys. My block was never surrounded by the NY city police. My daughters schools nor the parents of the raped girls or underage girls were never searched nor were the children taken away. If these people were a group of Lesbians, Homosexuals, Muslims, Jews or Afro Americans there would be a media outrage with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets. – Aren't there religions in the middle east, and now in Europe and in the United States that propose and practice by far more outrageous and even murderous practices? But, because these poor folks are a Mormon sect that believe its OK to have, as the Lord wants them to have, multiple wives, and the media wants to "trip" and sensationalize this and refer to these people as a "cult", living in a "compound" and show basically descent, religious, G-d fearing, Christian farming folks in dresses and hairstyles from the 1800's in a "perk walk" fashion that make them appear “freakish” … does that make it OK to raid all their families and take their children? How do those children feel now that during the day they are being interrogated by strangers? That the’yr not allowed to see their parents? That they’re made to sleep in auditoriums, on cots with armed guards shining lights on them? How do they feel when they are made to go to the bathroom with the door open and people watching them? Is that not mental cruelty? Is that not abuse? The district attorney and Judges that approved this outrageous farce, violation of decency and the Constitution, based upon a phone call, should be recalled, and at the least be made to pay restitution for the rest of their lives, and be made to turn over every asset that they currently have, to these poor people that had their families raided by armed gunmen and children torn from them. Of course some would think that to tar and feather the prosecutors and Judges would be more just. I am outraged and shocked that so many people fail to think about what our country and Constitution stands for, and fall for the absurd and outrageous justification for this raid. Shame on us!

I knew it. I knew the call was phony when the Texas Rangers and State officials didn't find the caller in the 461 child raid. I personally grew up in San Angelo and am very familiar with all the odd stuff that goes on in that compound. The local people want to get rid of the members in the compound because of the child abuse history. This hoax phone was a call in desperation from an onlooker who cares about the children in the sect. It is sad that there was a fake "SOS" caller, but I believe that the call for "SOS" was needed. I am also glad to see that my state of Texas didn't hesitate to put damper on the situation at hand.

I believe this was all a trumpt up deal anyway. calls from a girl named Sara that they can't find just to get on the compound. Once they were their they then made another case. Their is not a human alive that can tell if a child will be harmed in the future. Yet, That is what they are basing their charges on. That maybe a child will be harmed in the future. How can you blame a person for a crime that is committed up the street by another family. I believe that taking the children away from their mothers is wrong and that it is happening here in the U.S. scares me more. Someone needs to read the constitution and bring a copy to the Judge to read. They think they are doing right, how much hurt and pain are you bringing to the children NOW? Ask the children in foster care how they like it ! It all comes down to one thing, The sheriff was wrong , they trumpt up this deal, and they will never admit they are wrong. Charge the men for the crimes in the compound, DON'T TAKE CHILDREN FROM THEIR MOTHERS!!!

aNDERSON,
i appreciate the respect and obvious thought you give the case of the FLDS church I can tell you really want to get to the truth. I want to submit something. Obviously Sarah is a hoax. The story of Rosita sounds a little far fetched. However, it does make sense that Flora Jessop and the department of child and family services concocted the whole story just to get into the ranch, and they are the ones who made the supposed phone calls and the raid .They are trying to blame someone else because were on to them. This is as illegal as it gets and after the dust settles I hope the dcf and the judge get there day in court lose their jobs and are never allowed to have anything to do with children again. (Just my opinion) those children have not been sexually or physically abused. They must be returned to their families. I hope Carolyn Jessop can sleep and live with herself and I hope the day comes when she can feel what she has made someone else feel.

y doesn't the government take the children who were sexually abused by the catholic priests where there is actual evedince of this abuse and take these scumbags so called priests and let them rot in prison . but oh no instead lets take the these children where there is no proof and take them away from their mothers? come on people dont you you all see whats happenning here ! even if there were abuse cases to be proven what happens next hummm well i dont think they wil be getting piad out like the priests paid the sexually abused children in the catholic churches , no don't think so . so really this looks like the governmet just does not like other people having control over thier own little 'society ' there was no phone call from a girl . just a question and just a thought .

its's strange. How can no one know who the fathers are? are there no records?
Why don't the kids talk who their parents are? Ok, maybe teenager can keep their mouth shut, but the kids of 3 till 10? I mean, they must be missing their mothers. I am sorry for the kids and for the mothers. The mothers are worrying a lot. It's not very fair to take custody of all these children. But I know it's a really hard situation because of all the suspicion of abuses, rape and these stuff.

And where are the husbands of all these women???

I wonder also that these people own notebooks, radio and such modern stuff. They seem to old-fashioned for this stuff ...

Authorities who work in behalf of abused children are not the ones threatening the children they will never see their families again.

In most cases, it is the abusers, themselves, who threaten the children in such a way to coerce their silence.

If there is any laughing stock, it is not the fault of the women or children.

The reminder of Nazi Germany is that this abuse has been allowed to happen to these children for too long.

This is not about religion. But, yes, if a 'Baptist' girl comes forward with abuse, the authorities will investigate. If she said it was done at their church, at their camp, etc, those also would be investigated.

The call now appears to be a hoax and the man accused of sexually abusing a 16 year old girl on the compound met with and has been cleared of any wrongdoing by Texas authorities, so what justification do authorities have in keeping all 416 children from their mothers?

Law Enforcement can’t prosecute anyone who may have committed a crime at the Texas compound since they violated the sect’s 4th Amendment rights by having no probable cause to enter the property in the first place.

I am against crimes committed on children just stating the violations of law committed by officers who raided the FLDS compound.

Although I don't agree with the religion, and marriage to young girls or to woman without consent or kids getting mistreated etc, I find it a very scary realization of what our government can do to anyone. And remember, this started by a FAKE call from a black woman in Colorado who has nothing to do with the compound or children. So, imagine someone wanting to cause you trouble, your neighbor, your x, your enemy. Tanks?, Snipper Riffles?etc. Forced DNA test, Lawyers representing children they have no knowledge about. kids, ripped from their culture, their beloved mothers to be placed where, in a state run facility where they'll receive love, educational training, a more normal accepted religion? Maybe they'll be adopted by a common American family that has a 50/50 chance of divorcing.

Although I don't agree with the religion, and marriage to young girls or to woman without consent or kids getting mistreated etc, I find it a very scary realization of what our government can do to anyone. And remember, this started by a FAKE call from a black woman in Colorado who has nothing to do with the compound or children. So, imagine someone wanting to cause you trouble, your neighbor, your x, your enemy. Tanks?, Snipper Riffles?etc. Forced DNA test, Lawyers representing children they have no knowledge about. kids, ripped from their culture, their beloved mothers to be placed where, in a state run facility where they'll receive love, educational training, a more normal accepted religion? Maybe they'll be adopted by a common American family that has a 50/50 chance of divorcing.

The Polygamist Situation Top Ten......

As sad as this situation is....there are many similar circumstances in todays society...is the state of Texas going to go after....Here are the top ten why Texas is gonna spend a ton of taxpayers money.....and wind up in a heap of trouble.
1. The men who sleep around and father children....which is the same as "poligamy" the men and women are not married, they are adulterous....which in many states is illegal also.....Are we gonna start prosecuting all aldulterous behavior?.....did Elliot Spitzer go to jail??
Yes thats right the Governor above the law who had several encounters, with Prostitutes, or wait our President Mr Clinton himself?
2. Many children are currently in alleged abusive circumstances...are we going to walk the aisles of grocery stores and start confiscating children...then interrogating them to find the "dirt" to go after their parents?
3. As much as the state of Texas says they did this for the law and the children, they infact have done this out of religious prosecution. Why else did they have to show on every national station the "Baptist" bus retrieving the children for the state of Texas.....does the State of Texas not have their own buses? Could they not have covered the "Baptist" church name? Where is seperation of church and state? We fight it publicly in every other situation in this country?
4. How could they confiscate cell phones, children, and search every aspect of that compund without specific warrants? Doesnt it require certain suspicion to obtain warrants that outline specific functions and searches the government can do?
5. Argument of the State of Texas....these people commit fraud have children then go on welfare....isnt half of this country on welfare....arent 70% of children in single parent homes....children born out of wedlock........in adulterous environments....if they want to make a case with these polygamist folk that the law is the law.....then the law must be upheld with ALL people........
6. The Texas State governor....the now longest running governor of Texas is trying to build his campaign for re-election in 2010.
7. Hate Crime, The media is portraying this as look at the clothes they wear, why are they closed door on religion, why are they this and that.....where is the freedoms outlined in our constitution.....freedom of speech, religion, etc....granted the marriage to children is wrong that is the case here....go after those perpetrators.....where there is proof!
Not where lets see what we dont like about these people....WAKE UP America we are almost a socialist society!!!! WE have laws that need to be upheld, but people are still free to choose their lifestyle......do we all need to have the life, or childhood that is defined by a pottery barn catalog?
8. Get back to the children, despite the relection of the governor needing a tough on crime attitude to get re-elected....this is about the forceable marriage and sexual relationship with a minor....so what about the toddlers ripped from their homes and families...what trauma are they gonna have from the states stupidity now?.....How will they argue they were in danger also??? Because of their parents religious beliefs???? And it really took tanks and swat to rip kids from parents to make those tiny children to feel safe.....Why didnt we get Hollywood to set up the Rambo stage.....then we could all have felt safer. Since when did we stop living in a FREE America? Did we confiscate all the children of the Catholic Faith when their leaders were molesting children??? Didnt the goverment have more right to believe that all children of Catholic faith were in great danger during the whole sex scandal? Will we confiscate children of Muslim faith for fear they may be indoctrinated to be terrorists....the Koran does teach kill the infidels or anyone not of the same religious belief.
9. Can the State of Texas really say that those children are better off in a different home??? Where religion may or may not be taught, where they may not even be given the same values of work, etc....so now they grow up to become bigger misfits of our society? Can the State of Texas guarantee a life of safe passage for those children...and since when does the goverment decide who we become in life? Where will they find enough homes for all the children, oh we will continue to pay for them from the welfare pool.....but that is part of the argument now...their parents claim welfare.....
10. I am not a part of this group nor affiliated, I am an American citizen however that can see the very beliefs of our constitution being tested....Compound this with our current devaluing of the dollar, etc. Our country is in trouble, we need to wake up and realize the government that we all blame for our trouble is contolled by us. We can not elect people for the popularity or money they have....this is the mess we get into......we have to vote people in for their belief, and principles. We have a voice we really controll what happens in this country and we need to stop relying on the form of government to make the right choice for our lives!

Find out how the FLDS supports themselves. We never hear about earned income or trust funds, etc. What do the women do for income?

Citizens in a free society must require of themselves a moral basis to frame laws and weigh justice.

When the moral fabric is torn our legal system is left to rely on technical application of arguable laws to attempt to protect, in the best case, the weak and vulnerable.

The FLDS group is viewed as morally bankrupt leaving them to the technical application and whim of a single judge.

So if other groups or geographical areas are views as inhabited by the morally bankrupt, shall we apply this model to those portions of our society?

Given the rules being applied in Texas; why can't a false police report be made against a gang controlled part of the any city in Texas, every person be detained, every person less than 18 years old be separated from their alleged parent, questioned by prosecutor, be medically tested and require a single judge to determine what the fate of the family should be.
Citizens in a free society must require of themselves a moral basis to frame laws and weigh justice.

When the moral fabric is torn our legal system is left to rely on technical application of arguable laws to attempt to protect, in the best case, the weak and vulnerable.

The FLDS group is viewed as morally bankrupt leaving them to the technical application and whim of a single judge.

So if other groups or geographical areas are views as inhabited by the morally bankrupt, shall we apply this model to those portions of our society?

Given the rules being applied in Texas; why can't a false police report be made against a gang controlled part of the any city in Texas, every person be detained, every person less than 18 years old be separated from their alleged parent, questioned by prosecutor, be medically tested and require a single judge to determine what the fate of the family should be.

Use the DNA and other medical test results to apply against crime databases, determine drug use/abuse and citizenship. Prosecute and every case where evidence is thus obtained.

Use the return of children to parents only after they provide actionable evidence against drug dealers and statutory rape perpetrators.

What if we use crime statistics to identify an area where systematic abuse and crime are known?

Use the DNA and other medical test results to apply against crime databases, determine drug use/abuse and citizenship. Prosecute and every case where evidence is thus obtained.

Use the return of children to parents only after they provide actionable evidence against drug dealers and statutory rape perpetrators.

What if we use crime statistics to identify an area where systematic abuse and crime are known?

when the feds do anything they need to look at everything. my question is, what happens to the ones who die from misscarriages,sicknesses,or just old age.If there is a attoney who represent these people, he should know everything about these people.look if you cant live by the american laws,go to a different country.any tax payer should be deeply offended.they live from our money...live by our laws.

I pray that the State of Texas really help these children of all ages,boys
as well as the girls.They are going to need years of help with this cult.
The State also has to look at the fact when all these kids are in homes that the parents that take them in they have a right to a check for beyon the years of 18 yrs old onto college cause some kids can still be in school and the min they turn 18 over here on the east coast checks are finish to the people that are helping these kids staying in their homes.I sure hope that None of these kids go back to the mothers.I applaud this Judge and lawyers that have the real welfare of the kids and disaprove of the lawyers that are looking out for these mothers to put those kids back into abusive situations.
Where are these fathers?All you see are the mothers asking for the kids back and isn't it true that all these mothers are getting State aid as Welfare and have been each and every month?Another thing is I'm so sorry to say but would these children now be safe if they do go back?Look at the cult that happen in Jonestown PA in 1978.Let's go Anderson Please Help these kids to Keep them Safe

It is about time someone does something to stop the abuse of women, children, and even young men. They are all brainwashed by the leader, and even by each other. They have been in the system so long, they wouldn't believe the truth if they were told. The women are always in a cluster, with an elder making sure they do not interact with anyone from the "outside". I am an "eye contact" person, and try to engage the youngers – but have heard that they will get punished if they talk to us. I am from a generation that held women back – but watching this culture – makes me shudder. If they only had a clue – Please someone in UTAH – do something! How can you watch this abuse and do nothing to stop it. You can't tell me that a young woman would WANT to have sex with an OLD MAN. It is perverse!

I hope that our nation as whole will come to the aid of the county involved here, and to the state of Texas. This is too much of a financial burden for one jurisdiction. We have to care about all of our nation's children. Since the leaders have defrauded the federal gov't (welfare fraud and military contracts under which they used basically slave labor), our federal tax dollars are involved. We have to care about all the nation's children. I'm so appreciative of this sheriff, the state's AG, CPS, and the attorneys representing the children and women. Let's not forget that men in this community have been abused too by Jeff's and other leaders' controlling, fraudulent, illegal behavior, including slave labor and deprivation of basic civil rights. We need to help all of these people and break this cycle. We failed them in 1953, let's not do it again.

What is the ratio of boys to girls among the 416 children or the ratio of men to women among the adults? Where are the young boys and adult men from this complex? They don't seem to ever be on camera. A very skewed female over male ratio would certainly be a red flag wouldn't it?

I'm a born Texan living in Utah. I was shocked the first time a saw a Polygamist, but the people in Utah seem to think this is acceptable. I personally hold the state of Utah responsible for continuing this generational insanity. If Utah would have prosecuted the offenders and had refused to give contracts to known polygamist who USE their very young offspring to make money; not to mention the welfare fraud that goes on and the federal government supporting them with contracts, none of this would be happening.
To Amos Taylor that has the audacity to say this is like Nazi Germany – you are delusional. These Polygamist violate the laws of this great country all in the name of God and violate women and children on every level of their beings: emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. Believe me, what these mothers and children are going through now is nothing to what has happened to them so far and what would continue for generations if the dysfunction isn't stopped. I personally applaud Texas for taking a stand and not allowing this to continue for another generation. Somebody had to have the courage to shed some light and truth on the dark and evil lies that are perpetuated by this sick and demented form of worship. This is not about religion this is about power, controll and abuse.

Regarding the 416 children in the Texas polygamy situation: I think the CHILDREN should be returned to the ranch and their nice houses and dining halls and beds and the PARENTS should be moved into the alternative housing off the ranch. Why should the kids be the ones to live in cramped, unsanitary conditions provided by the state? The kids could live at the ranch and be overseen by state social services and live with their "brothers and sisters" and continue something of a normal life. The PARENTS should be moved off the place until the judge determines if any crimes took place.

Kathy

How amazing is it that someone from the outside may have started all of this running around and yet there is a small group of girls that fit the describtion of the one in question. I have read every article and blog from Nevada, Utah, AZ, and Texas and I can't believe individuals still see this situation as just a religious issue and not has federal fraud (welfare), child brides, and abuse. And really I'm a teacher and have to report any sign of abuse and our CPS system has to investigate with or without the parents consent because if something does happen to the child it could cost me my job or the CPS workers job for not trying to protect a child in danger. So get over it, this trail should take a log time if it is done correctly. Besides most religions that I know about do not promote braking the law and are open to outsiders to some degree because they have nothing to hide.

Where are these God fearing fathers hiding and why are they not on the courts doorsteps with their wives? Are they afraid or just ashamed of their actions. Deep down these men know what is right and wrong, and taking a young girls as wives is wrong.And how do they explain the disappearance of all the young men of their community. Mothers of this sect are not off the hook either, they know that giving their young girls to these older men is absolutely wrong. Do they not remember how they felt when it happened to them? The morals clause must have been missing in their upbringing...Joan from Vernon B>C>

I think these women are brainwashed to believing a lie. What they don't realize is they have rights and they are better than these men. I think the main reason why these women are not saying anything beacause they are scared of what they man will do to them. Those man have installed fear to those women so it is difficult for them to speak out. I hope vindication is served and women realize there is whole world outside their rance.

Hey don't call this religious persecution to them it is religious persecution to the young boys and girls. Give me a break losing what Amos a lifetime of misery and abuse? More power to Texas authority and women judges.
Power on

God, I have just read that the church is now claiming that the beds are for the children to nap during church sermons. I think not. Church is not some plaything for these people. The children are made to sit through long scary sermons and sit upright and try to take it all in. There wouldn't be any napping, methinks.

And yes, it is very simple, if there are ANY underage pregnant girls then someone is guilty of pedophilia and child rape. I wish people would stop calling this a polygamy case and start calling it a child abuse case.

God Bless Texas for TRYING to help these people. The entire community (including the men) need to be re-educated. I see nothing but victims here.

i think the woman need help and learn to get out of there and get there children back after they get a home for them need help to show them what to do they lived this way for years please help them get it right,

Anderson,
I've been following the story regarding the polygamist group and just saw the mothers on Larry King Live! this morning. As much as I understand the big picture and the breaking of laws and protection of the children, I feel for the mothers and children in this case. I, too, am a parent of a child with special needs and could not imagine the torture it would be for my son to be seperated from me – his life-line. It is unfortunate those involved could not find a way to keep regular contact between the mothers and these children. The main law breakers here in relation to the children are the men in this group and it seems to the public that they are off scott free. The women and children are being victimized all over again.

This event is surely traumatic for the women and children whose lives have been disrupted. However, the state's responsibility is first to the physical safety of the children. They must be kept as happy as possible but in a location where they can come to no physical harm or sexual abuse. This has been done. Next, the state must determine what kind of lives these children have been living.

We are suspicious of religious groups that shut themselves away and rule themselves by religious doctrine. Careful scrutiny of such groups often shows that an authoritarian man or group of men rule such groups – especially their women and children – with an iron hand and for the benefit of the leadership only. They may carry a Bible and quote doctrine, but doctrine always seems to boil down to obedience at work, at home, and in bed.

I have always been puzzled by the fact that religious leadership seems to be morally and spiritually inferior to their followers.

After listening to and watching programs related to FLDS recent debacle, it may not be exaggerating to expect our government to rescue the FLDS ladies themselves, not just their children. The ladies are totally brainwashed and made totally submissive to male-chauvinism. Both Anderson and Larry tried their best to make the ladies talk about the fathers of the children ("husbands"). They all refused to even give a hint, let alone talk about the men.

I think they are handing a case to the government. It's claimed that the abusers are the men. The ladies do even not dare to publicly express and talk about the men. It's even far-fetched to expect these ladies to save their children from the abuse of the men. The ladies may not only be brainwashed but may also suffer from continuous abuses, "batttered-wives syndrome". "Give us back our children" repeated argument alone does not carry the day. Religious freedom is one thing inflicting abuses is another, be it children or women.

Sherry wrote:

"And didn’t they say at one time the 16 yr old Sarah had been treated at a hospital for broken ribs when this story first broke. Where are those records??"

It's becoming abundantly clear that "Sarah" was a fiction, as previous posters have already pointed out.

Luna wrote, " I wish people would stop calling this a polygamy case and start calling it a child abuse case."

BINGO!