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Sect Parents Slam 'Vague' Custody Plans

Decry persecution, say Texas offering no clear way to reclaim kids

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 20, 2008 5:53 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Hearings for the biggest child custody case in American history began yesterday and members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints weren't happy with proceedings, the AP reports. Parents of the more than 460 children in state custody complained that the court's recommendations were too generalized and showed them no clear way to get their kids back.

"Every parent is accused of being bad and there's no cure," a church elder complained. The court's plans for the children do not say if they will ever be allowed to return to the sect's ranch and FLDS members believe they are being persecuted for their religion. Furthermore, reports the New York Times, one woman's eight children have been scattered to four different homes hundreds of miles apart.

In this artist sketch Caroline Jessop, front in pink, is shown during a custody hearing in the courtroom of State District Judge Jay Weatherby, rear, Monday, May 19, 2008, in San Angelo, Texas.
In this artist sketch Caroline Jessop, front in pink, is shown during a custody hearing in the courtroom of State District Judge Jay Weatherby, rear, Monday, May 19, 2008, in San Angelo, Texas.   (AP Photo/Brigitte Woosley)
A member of the FLDS walks by a law enforcement official as she departs the Tom Green County Courthouse where child custody hearings were being heard, Monday, May 19, 2008.
A member of the FLDS walks by a law enforcement official as she departs the Tom Green County Courthouse where child custody hearings were being heard, Monday, May 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints depart from the Tom Green County Courthouse, Monday, May 19, 2008, in San Angelo, Texas.
Members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints depart from the Tom Green County Courthouse, Monday, May 19, 2008, in San Angelo, Texas.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Unidentified members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints arrive at the Tom Green County Courthouse, Monday, May 19, 2008, in San Angelo, Texas.
Unidentified members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints arrive at the Tom Green County Courthouse, Monday, May 19, 2008, in San Angelo, Texas.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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The day's custody proceedings in detail
San Angelo Standard-Times

Warren Jeff's children among those in custody
CNN

Sect kids costing Texas $21M per month
Dallas Morning News

FLDS lawyer: Plans too 'vague and broad'
Houston Chronicle

 
Texas • polygamy • custody • Mormonism • child custody • FLDS • Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints • Yearning for Zion ranch • polygamists

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